Restoring Biblical Dance
by Bee Whitley

My first experience with worship that was anything more than an organ was in 1983 in Florida! A new wind was blowing, and things in the church as most of us had known growing up were changing. There was a continual sense of anticipation every time we gathered for worship, and the music and the new, lively choruses drew joy right out of the heart. As we came closer in, opening our spirits, seeking the Lord with more fervor, we began to see that He was not exactly like the white, Anglo-Saxon Jesus pictured in the Last Supper. Who was this Lord who was setting our feet to dancing, clothing us with gorgeous garments for worship, and recalling those dabblings in past craft projects to come alive through fabric, paint, ribbons, and glitter as statements of majestic banners? Whoever thought we’d be flinging flags around in church!!

It was all so much fun, getting prepared for our first invitation to bring our dance and banner team to a neighboring church that had "heard" of some new development in worship. We packed up our costumes, headpieces, and tambourines. The men unloaded the five large banners with such tender care and great pride at being chosen to participate in this service this night. Enthusiasm was coming in the door, only to be met by one stricken-faced worship leader. Obviously, our wings were being clipped, our enthusiasm waning, but determined, we began our presentation. The worship leader began to play the appointed song for the processional, looking straight ahead with no smiles at his fledgling orchestra, hoping this would soon be over! We were definitely not welcome in this place!

The dancers had completed their piece, and the banners began to move down the aisles toward the front. Suddenly, the music sounded stronger, and the countenance of the worship leader experienced a transformation–from dirge to glory! In fact, as he saw the banners coming, it was almost as if he was looking right into the face of the Lord. We were all struck by the sudden change in the atmosphere as the sound of worship began to take on a majestic quality. Just as the last banner, an "I Am" banner with a Star of David, arrived at the front, a roar went up in that place unlike anything I have ever heard before or since. It must have been the roar of the Lion of Judah sounding His shofar, and its sound was like a train going right over the top of the building. We stood absolutely amazed, for no one had anticipated anything like this!

Later there was a call inquiring about the "I Am" banner. The person couldn’t decipher the Hebrew lettering of I Am and questioned what the star under it represented. She said when it passed by her row in the aisle, she felt completely undone and could only kneel and weep. I began to feel the fear of God all over me, innocent as I was of this display. I began to ask the Father why such an awesome visitation in the midst of a simple little dance and banner procession? People were actually being turned inside out with His presence. Some still speak of this night and the awesome worship that transformed many lives.

From this demonstration, I knew there was something very dear to the Father’s heart that most of us did not understand. I began a pursuit that led me to His ancient city and His chosen people, Israel. The worship of Israel, lavishly rich and enduring! Think about it, our God delivered his people out of bondage, gathered them up by tribes under the standards of their fathers’ houses, and marched them in perfect formation across the desert in the sign of the cross. Only He could have seen and enjoyed that picture from above! No expense was spared in building the tabernacle or designing the holy garments for Aaron the priest: a picture of His heavenly tabernacle for us to gaze at, appointed times, holy festival days, the times of celebration (from the Hebrew root meaning "to dance") as Yahweh comes to meet with His people.

Follow the path of Yeshua, our Hebrew Lord, as He went up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feasts. Major events in His life occurred during these times. See the drama of the pilgrimage of the people as they made their way up to Mt. Zion, praying, singing, and dancing the Psalms of Ascent. The Lord knows how to prepare His people to come into His presence, a pattern laid out for us through the seven feasts of Israel.

Remember the story of King David, enthusiastic, but careless in his efforts to carry the ark up to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). In not following the explicit instructions given for the transport of the presence of God, one man died as he touched it to keep it from falling. What great loss, mishandling the presence of God, and what a lesson in the time of repentance before the journey began again. Carefully, David proceeded, six steps forward, sacrificing a bull and a fatted calf, proceeding in the same worship until seven sacrifices were completed. This solemn procession found it’s fulfillment in shouts of praise, as David abandoned himself to expressive gestures of joy, exuberant proclamations to the one King to be honored. Through this act of praise, from repentance to redemption, David gives us an example of a true worshipper, one who out of deep moral failure became transparent, laying his heart bare before the God he loved, yielding his own ambitions and desiring more than anything else to see the presence and power of God resident among His people again. Oh that we would cry out for this same mercy of God to deliver and to redeem and restore His ancient paths that we might find rest for our souls.

On Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem, 1966, at the end of a rehearsal day for the Feast of Tabernacles, we heard the sound of the immigrant musicians playing Israeli folk songs, and no dancer’s feet could miss this wonderful opportunity. Represented among us were many nations of the world that had come up to celebrated the Feast, and joyful dancing ensued. Soon we were joined by Israelis from the crowd, and musicians, dancers, and onlookers all worshipped right there on the streets of Jerusalem. A distinguished older Jewish man, with eyes twinkling, asked, "What is this? Where did these people come from who know these Hebrew dances?" He was so enthralled, he followed us down the street to the ice cream parlor, asking question after question. A few days later, on a Sunday afternoon, he arrived at the hostel, seeking these dancers! Everyone was attending one of the local Christian congregations, so he went there to find them! He sat through the entire service, watching the joyful dancing and singing, and even listened to the sermon, which I heard was tailor-made for him! I don’t know where he is today, but that day, he surely saw Messiah in the faces of those who love to worship God, singing His songs and dancing His dances on the streets of His city!

As a worship artist, I enjoy incorporating the feasts into our seasonal celebrations of worship in the church. Dramatizing these events (mainly Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles) makes them a living reality for the people of God, and draws them more closely to the Hebrew foundations of their faith. This is done by creating an atmosphere of worship which invites the Lord’s presence to come dwell among us. Many sanctuaries or gymnasiums have been transformed into Middle Eastern settings through elaborate drapings of fabrics and embellished altars.

When all is set, then the worship time begins, banners ushering in the King of Glory, with dancers releasing the spirit of rejoicing and musicians and singers all there for one purpose: to proclaim His praise. Hopefully the congregation will join in as circles of dancing form around the room, or we all begin to gather together in one great procession. Many times I have experienced changed lives and even miracles during these lavish times of worship.

As we take action in the earth to demonstrate the praise and worship of God’s ancient people, these physical acts become prophetically symbolic. As the heavens are impacted, victories are gained, deliverances are wrought, healings occur, revelation is imparted. The invitation is out, so please "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord."

Bee Whitley brings an unusually sensitive perspective to the visual majesty of praise and worship for the glory of God. As director of Nissuin (Hebrew: "lift up") Worship Ministries, she portrays the Holy Name and character of God by utilizing dance, banners, processions, drapery, paintings, and other treasures. Bee participates in conferences and concerts internationally. She lives in Dayton, Ohio.

For complete information on Nissuin Worship Ministries, contact Bee Whitley at 3933 E. Summit Ridge Dr., Dayton, OH 45430 Telephone: (937) 429-3022 nissuin@juno.com

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