02.44. Worldly Amusements Continued

LESSON XLIV--Worldly Amusements.

DANCING.

What is the first instance of dancing mentioned in the Old Testament? Exodus 15:20-21. Was this a dance for amusement or a religious dance? What is the second instance? Exodus 32:19. What was the purpose of this dance? Exodus 32:4-6. What is the next instance? Judges 11:34. Why did Jephthah’s daughter dance? Ans.--She was rejoicing like Miriam, over the victory won by her father. State the next mentioned instance of dancing. Judges 21:21-23. On what occasion was this? Ans.--It was at the yearly "feast of the Lord" (Judges 21:19), and was connected with the worship. State the next instance. 1 Samuel 16:6-8. In all these instances who were the dancers; men and women, or women alone? Were any of them dances for mere amusement?

Mention an example of a man engaged in dancing. 2 Samuel 6:14-16. When Michal reproved David for this dancing what excuse did he give for it? 2 Samuel 6:21. Was it, then, a religious dance, or a dance for mere amusement? What is said in the Psalms about this kind of dancing? Psalms 149:3; Psalms 150:4. Solomon says "there is a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:5): what according to these examples from the Old Testament, was that time?

What does Job say about dancing? Job 21:11-12. Does he refer to wicked persons, or to the good? See Job 21:7. Whose children, then, danced for amusement, in his day? From all the foregoing Scriptures what do you learn as to the kind of dancing that was approved by good people in the Old Testament period? Is there any indication that dancing for mere amusement was approved? Is there any account of the dancing of men and women together? Can any dancing mentioned in the Old Testament be used to justify our modern dancing?

How could the disciples of Jesus know, when he mentioned the dancing at the return of the prodigal son, that he did not approve it? Ans.--Because they had learned from the Old Testament that dancing for amusement was not customary among the good.

Among what works does Paul class "revelings?" Galatians 5:19-21. What does he say of those who practice such things? Galatians 5:21. What is the Greek word translated "revelings," and what is its exact meaning? Ans.--It is komos, and it is the name of a particular kind of night frolic among the Greeks, of which music, and dancing, and singing formed the chief part. Are not modern dancing parties very much like this? As the revelings and all "such things" are forbidden, how can we excuse dancing parties?

Note.--These "revelings" or komoi, were the only practices among the ancients which very closely resembled our modern dancing parties; and as they were condemned, dancing parties are condemned with them. And it is fair to suppose that they would have been condemned by name if they had been in existence at that time.

What does the Apostle Peter say of these "revelings?" 1 Peter 4:3. While dancing is not condemned in the New Testament, is it not true that a practice of which dancing was a part is condemned?