· This is a “specialty Bible study.” It may not directly address the largest problems in society, but it can sure help in the few particular cases where it is especially needed

· This is a specialized tool for the tool belt of righteousness, and while it may or may not be something you use every day, it is something extremely powerful when the appropriate time comes

· This teaching is aggressively antagonistic directly in the face of humanism, which means it is greatly contrary to Protestantism

· It promotes a fervent, zealous reverence that opposes the staunch pride and liberal slavery in our modern cultures

· No body today likes “humiliating themselves” and bowing, especially on your face!

· churches say you are committing idolatry

· Over in fabulous ghettos they started flipping their head up instead of tipping their head down when greeting their “boys,” (oh, they are so poor over in the ghetto aren’t they!)

· Overtly humanistic pagans burn with anger when someone is “dehumanized”

· We are convinced that there is something completely inappropriate and shameful about this barbaric practice

· We think it destroys our “inner child” because it is plainly anathema to self-esteem and self confidence

· It is something we all know that humans once did, but now humanism scorns with bitter opposition

· We know it was extravagantly humble for some people at some time, but no one today would ever even think of doing it in our modern context

· About all we have left today is “hanging the head” in shame, but even that is considered “weak” and undesirable

· It is a deeply troubling thing when the ambition to never suppress anyone else becomes a social norm to never let your own self be suppressed.

“The idea of falling on our face before someone is foreign to Americans. We don’t even prostrate ourselves to our president. But this is because we view everyone as equals, even if they carry greater power.”

http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVSermons/WorshipOfGod.htm

Retrieved 2/9/12

And, as it is typical when dealing with Protestants, one Catholic said,

“…My friend keeps bringing up that, in the Bible, the Lord says to bow to no man except God or Jesus…”

http://www.cpats.org/_webpostings/Answers/2010_04APR/2010AprAreThesePracticesWrong.cfm

Retrieved 2/9/12

Face the Facts: It is Biblical to Bow to People Sometimes

We all should already know that we should bow before God* since all over the world this basically goes without saying. But did you know that the Bible very powerfully shows us that we sometimes should bow before people? Let us abandon our religious and wicked ideals and courageously submit to this very helpful truth!

[* For a few example passages on bowing to God, see our “Prayer Lists” Bible study]

Two Initial, Exciting Examples of Bowing!

Remember to ask yourself: Have you ever seen scenes like this in modern christianity?

Gen_48:12 CAB And Joseph brought them... and they bowed down [προσεκύνησαν – lit. kissed (like a dog) toward; same word as “worshipped”] to him [i.e. Jacob, Joseph's father], *with their face to the ground [* ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς].

1Sa_25:40-41 CAB So the servants [οἱ παῖδες – the boys] of David came to Abigail to Carmel [i.e. after her husband was dead (1Sa_25:37-39)], and spoke to her, saying, David has sent [ἀπέστειλεν] us to you, *to take you to himself for a wife [* λαβεῖν σε αὐτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα]. 41 And she arose [ἀνέστη], *and bowed down with her face to the earth [* προσεκύνησεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον], and said, Behold, your servant [δούλη] *is for a handmaid [* εἰς παιδίσκην – into a girl], to wash the feet of your servants [παίδων – boys].

Somehow this seems like a much different marriage proposal than we are used to seeing. Have you ever considered or cared about the fact that the Bible presents to us an authoritative culture far superior to our own? Have you ever been courageous enough to imitate their faith as the Scriptures command us? If these things are in the Bible, why aren’t they ever promoted or even allowed in church?

Humanism Hates what Humility Honors

Our foolish cultures hate humility and despise such great and righteous subjection as these passages have shown. These “bowing” scenes would typically be illegal and considered outlandish and even “cultish” in most modern American churches today, but let me ask you bluntly: when is the last time you even thought about bowing down to another human with your face to the ground? If it is in the Bible, then why is it never in church? – this bowing is not “idolatry” as religious people protest – this is the BIBLE! The reason we, in our modern cultures, do not like such bowing is because we are infested with the shameful foolishness of humanism and hate Jesus and do not know God. We hate everything to do with authority and subjection, as it says,

2Pe_2:10 CAB ...those who walk after [ὀπίσω] the flesh... despise authority [κυριότητος καταφρονοῦντας]...

>> update submission

(see also Jud_1:7-8)

If you disapprove of bowing down to people in the proper context (as described here), then repent tremble at the authority of God who has glorified such blessed displays of humility.

Let us go beyond the standard, common, every-day, conventional, regular, generic claims of submission and let us take a hold of something that our shameful cultures have forgotten!

Important Words

προσκυνέω

proskunéō.

The Many Examples of When to Bow to People

Subjects of a King and or Conquered Enemies

It may not be practical to list all of the examples of this, but here are a few

Gen_37 Gen_42-43 – Joseph’s dreams and fulfillments (esp., for example, Gen_37:7, Gen_37:9; Gen_43:26, Gen_43:28)

2Sa_14:4

2Sa_14:22

2Sa_14:33

2Sa_24:20

1Ki_1:23 – Prophet (Nathan) bows before King (David)

1Ch_21:21

Isa_45:14

Isa_45:23 compare: Rom_14:11

Isa_49:23

1Sa_24:8 – David to Saul

2Sa_1:2 – Messenger in great sorrow

(Jdg_5:27 – Sisera dead before Jael)

(2Sa_19:14 – David bowed their hear by kind words)

2Sa_24:20

1Ki_1:51-53 – Rebellious Adonijah to his brother-King Solomon

2Ch_24:17 – the princes of Judah

2Sa_19:18

Mat_2:2, Mat_2:11 – A Baby King (who is also God)

Mat_18:26 – be patient and I will pay back…

2Sa_15:5 – Minimizing it in deceptive flattery (undermined such subjection)

In Obedience to an Order

2Sa_18:21 – a man dismissing himself from Joab

Harsh Judgment

Psa_69:23 CAB Let their eyes be darkened that they should not see; and bow down their back continually.

Rom_11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and their back always be bowed down."

Bitter Oppression

Isa_51:23

Psa_10:10

Psa_17:11

Psa_57:6

Isa_51:23 CAB And I will give it into the hands of them that injured you, and them that afflicted you; who said to your soul, Bow down, that we may pass over; and you laid your body to the ground to them passing by outside.

A Wife to Her Husband-King

1Ki_1:16

1Ki_1:31 CAB And Bathsheba bowed [ἔκυψεν – i.e. bent forward] *with her face to the ground, and paid homage [* ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ προσεκύνησεν] to the king, and said, Let my lord King David live forever.

That woman is so godly… she is STILL* bowing to David even after she is married to him!

[* Recall: 1Sa_25:23 (after Nabal’s great sin); 1Sa_25:40-41 (after David proposed marriage) – these were covered at the beginning]

Est_8:3-4 CAB And *she spoke yet again to [* προσθεῖσα ἐλάλησεν πρὸς] the king, *and fell at his feet [* προσέπεσεν πρὸς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ], and beseeched him to do away the mischief [κακίαν] of Haman, and all that he had done against the Jews. 4 Then the king stretched out to Esther the golden scepter; and Esther arose to stand near [παρεστηκέναι] the king.

Bowing to Father, Father-in-law, & Grandfather

Gen_48:12 – Joseph and sons to Jacob (as seen at the Beginning)

(compare MT with Solomon to mother)

2Sa_14:33 – Absalom to David

Exo_18:7 CAB And Moses went forth to meet [συνάντησιν] his father-in-law [γαμβρῷ], and bowed down [προσεκύνησεν] and kissed [ἐφίλησεν] him, and they embraced [ἠσπάσαντο] each other, and he brought them [εἰσήγαγεν] into [εἰς] the tent.

Bowing to Brother & Relatives

Gen_27:19-30 – Isacc’s Blessing intended for Jacob (and others) to bow to Esau (which eventually became Esau to Jacob)

Gen_33:3 – Jacob to Esau (seven times!)

Gen_33:6-7 – Jacob’s family to Esau

Gen_49:8 – Judah’s brothers to him

1Ki_1:51-53 – Rebellious Adonijah to his brother-King Solomon

Bowing to Women

Although bowing to women is not typical (because women are not natively in a place of authority), there are certainly cases where it may be appropriate:

Jdg_5:27 – Sisera dead before Jael

1Ki_2:13 – Son Adonijah to his Step mother, Queen Bathsheba (Although this was for a bad purpose, it still appears to be socially correct)

Est_7:8 CAB …and Haman had fallen upon the bed, begging the queen [Esther]…

Bowing to Honor Guests

Gen_19:1 WEB The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. *He bowed himself [or “worshipped” (CAB) – in Hebrew and Greek] with his face to the earth [* προσεκύνησεν τῷ προσώπῳ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν],

Hospitality is something serious in the Bible!

Bowing To One From Whom You Need Mercy or to Request Favor

1Sa_20:41 – David to Jonathan

1Sa_25:23 – Abigail to David (after Nabal’s great sin)

(1Sa_24:8 – David to Saul)

(1Sa_2:36 – in a bad sense)

1Ch_21:16 – David and the elders before the judging angel

Mat_18:26 – be patient and I will pay back…

Est_7:8 CAB …and Haman had fallen upon the bed, begging the queen [Esther]…

2Sa_14:4 CAB So the woman of Tekoa went in to the king and fell upon her face to the earth, and bowed down before him, and said, Help, O king, help.

When You Desperately Need to Repent!

>> David Saul

Fell face

2Sa_19:18-20 CAB …And Shimei the son of Gera fell on his face before the king, as he went over the Jordan, 19 and said to the king, Let not my lord now impute iniquity, and remember not all the iniquity of your servant in the day in which my lord went out from Jerusalem, so that the king should mind it. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned; and behold, I have come this day before all Israel and the house of Joseph, to go down and meet my lord the king.

Note: even with all of this, Shimei did not repent unto life: 1Ki_2:36-46 (just as it was with Adonijah: 1Ki_1:53; 1Ki_2:25)

Vicariously: 1Sa_25:23 – Abigail to David (after Nabal’s great sin)

Deep Gratitude for Great Mercy, Help, and Kindness

After Boaz was kind to Ruth by providing a chance to find food and safety, she was filled with gratitude…

Gen_23:7, Gen_23:12 – Abraham needing help burring Sarah

Rth_2:10 CAB And she fell upon her face, and bowed down to the ground, and said to him, How is it that I have found grace in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, seeing that I am a stranger?

1Sa_25:40-41 – Abigail to David (after David proposed marriage)

2Sa 9:3-9 CAB And the king said, Is there yet a man left of the house of Saul, that I may act towards him with the mercy of God? And Ziba said to the king, There is yet a son of Jonathan, lame in his feet. 4 And the king said, Where is he? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo Debar. 5 And King David went, and took him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo Debar. 6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul came to the King David, and he fell upon his face and bowed down before him. And David said to him, Mephibosheth; and he said, Behold your servant. 7 And David said to him, Fear not, for I will surely deal mercifully with you for the sake of Jonathan your father, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul the father of your father; and you shall eat bread at my table continually. 8 And Mephibosheth bowed down and said, Who am I your servant, that you have looked upon a dead dog like me? 9 And the king called Ziba the servant of Saul, and said to him, All that belonged to Saul and to all his house have I given to the son of your lord.

Jesus and The Ten Lepers

Luk 17:11-19 CAB And it happened while He was traveling to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood at a distance. 13 And they lifted their voice and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 And seeing them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went away, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, seeing that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were not any found returning to give glory to God except this foreigner?" 19 And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."

Note 1: Bowing down to someone in great thanks and amazement for supernatural work (v. 15-16), glorifies God (v. 18), and not the flesh of the man to whom one bows down to!

Note 2: Ignorant church people will typically excuse themselves from obeying this example by saying that “jesus is god,” but that is not the point of the passage, nor do we have any evidence at all that these lepers knew that! – Jesus truly is God, but that has nothing to do with why Jesus healed them, nor is it why the one (Samaritan) leper returned to thank Him and fall at His feet, nor is it particularly why God was glorified, since Jesus’ Divinity was not the factor that was at work when He was truly a man who healed some lepers by faith in this story.

Bowing to Angels, but NOT as gods

(1) What is this “Worship Of Angels”?

This “worship of angels” is in fact, the “worship of fallen angels” and demons (i.e. typical paganism)

As TSK lists: Dan_11:38,*Heb: Rom_1:25, 1Co_8:5, 1Co_8:6, 1Ti_4:1;

Col_2:18 CAB Let no one *rule against you [* καταβραβευέτω], desiring to do so in false humility and *in worship of the angels [* θρησκείᾳ τῶν ἀγγέλων], intruding into those things which he has not seen, in vain being puffed up by his carnal mind,

This is nothing more than the typical paganism which has always been condemned from the beginning:

Deu_6:13-16 CAB You shall fear [φοβηθήσῃ – NT says “προσκυνήσεις” (Mat_4:10)] the Lord your God, and Him only [although Jesus includes “only” some LXX manuscripts omit it as seen in NETS] shall you serve [λατρεύσεις]; and you shall cleave to [κολληθήσῃ] Him, and by His name you shall swear. 14 Go not after other gods, of the gods of the nations round about you, 15 for the Lord your God in the midst of you is a jealous [or zealous (ζηλωτὴς)] God, lest the Lord your God be very angry [ὀργισθεὶς θυμωθῇ] with you, and destroy you from off the face of the earth. 16 You shall not tempt [ἐκπειράσεις – i.e. intensely (ἐκ) put God threw things] the Lord your God, as you tempted Him in the temptation.

Exo_32:7-9 CAB And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Go quickly, descend from here, for your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have transgressed; 8 they have quickly *gone out of the way [* παρέβησαν – i.e. broken boundaries] which you have commanded; they have made for themselves a calf, and worshipped [προσκεκυνήκασιν] it, and sacrificed to it, and said, 9 These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

Exo_34:14 CAB For you shall not worship [προσκυνήσητε] strange gods, for the Lord God, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God;

Note: ironically, a number of people have tried to use this passage to teach that you should not bow down to people [προσκυνήσητε] but this passage clearly does not say that at all. It says not to bow toward daemons (other gods) but it does not say to never bow to men. Bowing to other gods is clearly a spiritual practice of connecting to daemons by an evil faith, and this has nothing to do with lowering yourself before another human which requires no particular faith in that person whom you can plainly see. Bowing to spiritual things by faith, means a recognition of their spiritual claims, but bowing to a person simply acknowledges or displays the fact that you are less than them.

Kissing [κυνή-] a man is obviously very different than kissing a woman, and kissing a daughter means something very different than kissing a wife. These things automatically have extreme differences to them, and we ought not to suppose that there is no automatic distinction when it comes to bowing before “gods” and bowing before men. It is obvious that it is pure evil to lower yourself in reverence before evil spirits, and we all know this automatically if we have read the Bible, but it is also obvious that the Bible frequently praises lowering yourself in humility before other people when appropriate. Since we know these things, it is also time to embrace them.

Rev_9:20 CAB But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent from the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and of wood, which neither are able to see nor to hear nor to walk.

A Few Other Examples Against Idolatry

Deu_29:26; 2Ki_21:3, 2Ki_21:21; 2Ch_25:14, 2Ch_33:3; Mat_4:9-10; Luk_4:7-8; Act_7:43; 1Co_10; Rev_9:20; Rev_13:4, Rev_13:8; Rev_13:12, Rev_13:15; Rev_14:7; Rev_14:9, Rev_14:11; Rev_16:2; Rev_19:20; Rev_20:4

(There are obviously many, many more)

Some Prime Examples of the Best Worship

Psa_95:6; Psa_138:2; Joh_4:20-24, ect.; Rev_15:4

>>!

(2) Revelation Confirms this Propriety

Rev_1:17-18 – it is good to bow before Jesus as God (context: Rev_1:13-18)

Rev_19:10; Rev_22:8-9 – It is not good to bow before angels in the place of God

>> ‘worship God alone’ ??

(3) Bowing Before Angels can be Very Appropriate

Gen_18:2 – Abraham before the three (although one of them was God, as seen in Gen_17:3, Gen_17:17, neither of the Angels was called God in Gen_19:1)

Num_22:31 – Balaam before “the angel… with his sword drawn in his hand” (CAB) [κύψας προσεκύνησεν τῷ προσώπῳ αὐτοῦ]

Jos_5:13-14 – Joshua to “the Commander of the army of the Lord”

1Ch_21:16 – David and the elders before the judging angel

Dan_8:16-18 – Daniel before the Angel (Gabriel) giving the vision

Dan_10:8-12, Dan_10:15 – another double-bowing of Daniel before an Angel

Gen_19:1 WEB The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. *He bowed himself [or “worshipped” (CAB) – in Hebrew and Greek!] with his face to the earth [* προσεκύνησεν τῷ προσώπῳ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν],

Luk_24:3-6 CAB And going in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 Then, as they became afraid and bowed their faces to the ground, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen!…

>>!

Don't Bow Before the Wicked, But they Should Bow Before the Righteous

(1) Don't Bow Before the Wicked

As we indicated earlier, it is not good to bow before the wicked

Est_3:2, Est_3:5

[Also compare the explanation given in the current LXX’s additions to Est_4:17]

Pro_25:26 CAB As *if one should stop a well [* MT: “a muddied spring” (WEB)], and *corrupt a spring of water [* MT: “a polluted well” (WEB)], so is *it unseemly for [* not in MT] a righteous man *to fall before [* MT: “who gives way before” (WEB)] *an ungodly man [* LXX: ἀσεβοῦς – irreverent].

(2) The Closest thing to an “Exception” to Bowing Before the Wicked?

Moses fell before the assembly when he was falsely accused by the wicked. (However, he did turn around and issue prophecies against them):

Num_14:2-7 CAB And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron; and all the congregation said to them, 3 If only we would have died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we would have died in this wilderness! And why does the Lord bring us into this land to fall in war? Our wives and our children shall be for a prey: now then it is better to return into Egypt. 4 And they said to one another, Let us select a leader and return into Egypt. 5 And Moses and Aaron fell upon their face before all the congregation of the children of Israel. 6 But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those that spied out the land, tore their clothes, 7 and spoke to all the congregation…

Num_16:1-5 CAB And Korah… and Dathan and Abiron… spoke; 2 and *rose up [* LXX: ἀνέστησαν; compare with NT: στερεὸς θεμέλιος… ἕστηκεν… ἀποστήτω ἀπὸ ἀδικίας (2Ti_2:19)] before Moses, and two hundred and fifty men of the sons of Israel, chiefs of the assembly, chosen [σύγκλητοι – lit. chosen together; compare: “whom He has chosen” (v. 5)] counselors, and men of renown [ὀνομαστοί – i.e. men that have a well-known name; compare: τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου (2Ti_2:19)]. 3 *They ~~rose~~ up [* συνέστησαν – stood up together] against [ἐπὶ – lit. upon] Moses and Aaron, and said, *Let it be enough [* Ἐχέτω – lit. have/ hold it] for you that *all the congregation is holy [* πᾶσα ἡ συναγωγὴ πάντες ἅγιοι – everyone of all the synagogue (lit. the place of together leading) is holy; i.e. anti-christ’s theology], and the Lord [κύριος – compare: τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου (2Ti_2:19)] is among [ἐν – lit. in] them; and *why [διὰ τί – through what] do you *~~set up~~ [stand down] yourselves against [lit. upon] [* κατανίστασθε ἐπὶ] the *congregation of the Lord [* συναγωγὴν κυρίου]? 4 And when Moses heard it, he fell on his face [ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον]. 5 And he spoke to Korah and all his assembly [συναγωγὴν], saying, God has *visited [* Ἐπέσκεπται – lit. scoped upon (same root as overseer or “bishop”)] and known *those that are His [* MT: “Yahweh will show who are his” (WEB); LXX: ἔγνω ὁ θεὸς τοὺς ὄντας αὐτοῦ – this is quoted in the NT as: ἔγνω Κύριος τοὺς ὄντας αὐτοῦ – “lord knows those who are being his” (2Ti_2:19 Jos.Trans.) – Paul is clearly quoting this passage primarily from the Greek LXX and not the current Heb. MT] and *who are holy [τοὺς ἁγίους (adjective)], and *has brought them to Himself [* προσηγάγετο πρὸς ἑαυτόν]; and whom He has chosen [ἐξελέξατο] for Himself, *He has brought to Himself [προσηγάγετο πρὸς ἑαυτόν – i.e. Jesus’ theology (eg. Mat_7:13-29)].

(Ironically, they did so later before God on behalf of Israel for these wicked people: Num_16:45)

2Ti 2:19 GNTtr ὁ μέντοι στερεὸς θεμέλιος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἕστηκεν, ἔχων τὴν σφραγῖδα ταύτην· ἔγνω Κύριος τοὺς ὄντας αὐτοῦ, καί· ἀποστήτω ἀπὸ ἀδικίας πᾶς ὁ ὀνομάζων τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου.

(3) But it is Good for the Wicked to Bow Before the Righteous

But contrary to “bowing before the wicked,” it is definitely clear that it is good for the wicked to fall down and bow before the righteous

Pro_14:19 CAB Evil men [κακοὶ – nasty/ evil ones] shall fall [ὀλισθήσουσιν – lit small (ὀλι-) + lay (θάνω), i.e., lay down small/ low; fig. bow/ prostrate (ALS p. 398)] before the good, and the ungodly [ἀσεβεῖς – irreverent] shall attend [θεραπεύσουσιν – i.e. wait in helpful service] at the gates of the righteous.

There are countless examples of this:

Gen_42:6, Gen_43:28, Est_7:7, Est_7:8, Psa_49:14, Mic_7:10, Mic_7:16-17, Mal_4:3

2Sa_22:40 CAB And You shall strengthen me with power for the war; You shall cause them that rise up against me to bow down under me.

(compare Psa_18:39)

>>!

Bowing to Real, New Testament, Disciples is Sometimes Appropriate

1Co_14:25, etc.

Rev_3:8-10 CAB "I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it; because you have a little strength and have kept My word, and you have not denied My name. 9 Behold, I will give those of the synagogue of Satan, those who say they are Jews and are not, but they are lying—behold, I will compel them to come and bow down at your feet, and they shall know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those that dwell upon the earth.

Act_16:24-30 CAB …having received such a command, cast them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 Now about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and all the bonds were loosed. 27 And becoming awake, the prison keeper, seeing the doors of the prison open, drawing a sword, he was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners to have escaped. 28 But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, "Do to yourself nothing bad, for we are all here." 29 And asking for a light he rushed in, and coming trembling, he fell before Paul and Silas, 30 and he brought them forth outside and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Mourning

Job_9:27

Psa_38:6

Psa_69:10 CAB And I bowed down my soul with fasting, and that was made my reproach.

Mat_26:39

1Sa_28:20 CAB And Saul instantly fell at his full length upon the earth, and was greatly afraid because of the words of Samuel; and there was no longer any strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all that day, and all that night.

In Recognition of Spiritual Authority

1Sa_28:14, 1Sa_28:20 – Saul to Samuel (when coming up from hell)

1Ki_18:7 CAB And Obadiah was alone in the road; and Elijah came alone to meet him. And Obadiah made haste, and fell upon his face, and said, My lord [κύριέ μου] Elijah, are you indeed he?

2Ki_2:14-15 CAB and he took the mantle of Elijah, which fell from off him, and struck the water, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? And he struck the waters, and they were divided this way and that; and Elisha went over. 15 And the sons of the prophets who were in Jericho on the opposite side saw him, and said, The spirit of Elijah has rested upon Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed down before him to the ground.

After Elisha raised a son from the dead…

2Ki_4:36-37 WEB He called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. When she was come in to him, he said, Take up your son. 37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground; and she took up her son, and went out.

Many, many more examples can be seen under Bowing to Jesus…

Bowing to Jesus is Not Inherently About Bowing to God

>> add more examples

Basic Facts we Ought to Know By Now

· Bowing was (and should still be) a common recognition of superiority to display extreme humility and submission.

· Although it is obvious that Jesus is God, “bowing” or “worshiping” has nothing to do with this unless specifically specified (such as Mat_14:33; Mar_5:6-7; Heb_1:6 with the context of Heb_1:8-12; and compare Joh_9:35-38; Joh_20:28 – ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου).

· Examples of bowing to Jesus in the Bible are not special attributions of his divinity, but examples of their humility which we should walk in.

· You cannot use Jesus’ divinity as a lame and treacherous excuse to disobey their examples of bowing in the Bible.

Example Passages

Mat_2:2, Mat_2:11 – A Baby King (who is also God)

Luk_5:3-9

Mat_20:20

Mat_28:9

Mat_8:2-3 CAB And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." 3 And reaching out His hand, Jesus touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Mat 9:18 CAB As He spoke these things to them, behold, a certain leader came and worshipped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her, and she shall live."

Mat 15:22-28 CAB And behold, a Canaanite woman coming forth from that region cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed." 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples approached and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." 24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 Then she came and worshipped [προσεκύνησεν] Him, saying, "Lord, help [βοήθει] me!" 26 But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and to throw it to the little dogs." 27 But she said, "Yes, Lord, for even the little dogs eat from the crumbs falling from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

These Examples Could Be Described Either Way

Mat_28:17

Luk_24:52

Bowing Boundaries

Examples of times and occasions when we should not to bow. (Hopefully these are obvious and we already know and recognize them)

Examples We Should Already Know by Now

· Don't Bow Down Before Idolatry
We usually do not need to list every occurrence of this for anyone who has read the Bible.

· _10;

· Don't Bow Before the Wicked

· Don’t Promote Bitter Oppression For Innocent People
(notice that this has an important, exclusive qualification attached to it, only protecting “Innocent People” – guilty people can be bitterly oppressed, and that can be appropriate)

· Don't Bow to Angels as gods

Don’t Bow to People as gods

Whenever it is Mixed Up With the Pagan Worship of “Demigods” (or “god-men” or “Emperor Worship”) you are compelled to refrain from bowing

Rom_10:9 – Interesting Cultural context: “Jesus is Lord” (i.e. not Caesar) – this saying denies the worship of “god-men” (i.e. daemons while in the flesh)

Act_10:25-26 (compare Rev_19:10; Rev_22:9) – Peter did not consider it appropriate to receive reverence as being anything superior to the reverent Cornelius. Peter made it clear that his unworthy humanity was the most pressing social need to acknowledge in this occasion of bringing spiritual news of salvation, lest (for example) Peter at any time be confused with the Jesus who was about to save Cornelius. Cornelius was from a non-Jewish context, and reinforcing monotheism and denying “human divinity” was of prime importance.

Cornelius was already very reverent toward God, and Peter (coming from a rough background) did not consider there to be anything appropriate about him receiving reverence from Cornelius. The essential difference between Peter and Cornelius was the free reception of the forgiveness of sins, and since this was to be freely received by both of them, neither of them should get in the way of this and be superior to the other in such a time of benefiting from God’s hand.

All things being equal then, there was nothing setting Peter above being anything more than “a man” to Cornelius.

>>! add:

You Are All Brothers

Bowing Summaries and Applications

How “Caution” has been Exploited to Abolished all Bowing

Interestingly, all of these legitimate “cautions” concerning “when not to bow” have been fragmented, exploited, molested, and used as leverage to promote a humanistic, standard practice based on paranoia, that has basically abolished all bowing to “men” in modern society – but this is completely unbiblical!

Be Sensitive and Perceptive Before Bowing

- Be sensitive as to the right timing when determining if you should bow

- the fact that the Bible particularly mentions them “bowing” means that, in general, they were not necessarily “bowing” at other times.

- Diligently study the Scriptures and carefully internalize why and when they bowed before seeking to carry it out for yourself

- There is a difference in intensity and purpose between bowing face down, on your knees, and partial bows. (Perhaps we can consider a feminine curtsy, a cowboy tipping his hat, or a Chinese or Japanese bow –some with hands together–).

(see Daniel)

Summaries of When Not to Bow to People

In worship of anything besides God

Summaries of When to Bow to People

Important Reminder Note: keep in mind that different levels of need may call for various levels of bowing

>>! finish summaries

When you need mercy from someone

When you need to repent to someone (think about the unthinkable crimes humans sometimes commit against each other)

Bowing for special moments to display extreme reverence for another person

Displaying reverence, imploring aid

What do you say? Are we ready to not only bring that beautiful curtsy back, but in some cases, we could even see appropriate displays of desperate humility and saving faith again.

The only reason I put this here is to avoid people misusing this work with bad motives. This is officially copyrighted to protect it from those with money in mind, and to preserve it for free distribution, especially in the unlikely event that someone might think to make money off of it rather than maximizing its distribution. You are permitted and encouraged to freely copy and redistribute this work in its entirety, via standard copy machine or electronic documentation as long as you make no money off of it. If you wish to reproduce this work on any larger scale, please contact me at Josiahs@trueconnection.org. You may also quote this document, by citing the reference as:

“[Name of Bible Study]” By Josiahs Scott, www.TrueConnection.org

PersonalNotes

Psa_69:23

Psa_144:5

“Bow-” in CAB

excluding:

bows crooked shoot shot bend bent brass hand sword spear swords spears elbows elbow archers archer arrows arrow drew draw bowels bowel heaven heavens mighty might strong fight war baal bale weapon weapons quiver alter temple ~~tent~~ god gods lord sword arrow bent bowshot bowl bowls rainbow worship worshipped

bows crooked shoot shot bend bent brass hand sword spear swords spears elbows elbow archers archer arrows arrow drew draw bowels bowel heaven heavens mighty might strong fight war baal bale weapon weapons quiver alter temple god gods lord sword arrow bent bowshot bowl bowls rainbow worship worshipped

Gen_23:7; Gen_23:12; Gen_27:29; Gen_37:7; Gen_37:9; Gen_37:10; Gen_42:6; Gen_43:26; Gen_47:31; Gen_48:12; Gen_49:8; Jdg_5:27; Jdg_16:30; Rth_2:10; 1Sa_2:36; 1Sa_20:41; 1Sa_25:23; 1Sa_25:41; 1Sa_28:14; 2Sa_1:2; 2Sa_9:6; 2Sa_9:8; 2Sa_14:4; 2Sa_14:33; 2Sa_18:21; 2Sa_19:14; 2Sa_24:20; 1Ki_1:16; 1Ki_1:23; 1Ki_1:53; 1Ki_2:13; 2Ki_2:15; 2Ki_4:34; 2Ki_4:35; 2Ki_4:37; 1Ch_21:21; 2Ch_24:17; Est_3:2; Est_3:5; Job_9:27; Job_36:30; Psa_10:10; Psa_17:11; Psa_38:6; Psa_57:6; Psa_62:3; Psa_69:10; Psa_69:23; Psa_78:9; Isa_2:9; Isa_51:23; Jer_50:41; Hos_1:5; Zec_10:4; Luk_24:5; Joh_19:30; Act_21:5; Rom_11:10; Rev_3:9; Rev_6:2;

Before God

Mat 17:6

heretics attempt to support bowing:

http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=503

http://www.cpats.org/_webpostings/Answers/2010_04APR/2010AprAreThesePracticesWrong.cfm