Exodus 3, Joshua 5:15, Ruth 4, and John 13
As I was reading the insight for today’s Our Daily Bread, I saw the removal of sandals (shoes) had symbolism in Jewish customs which could relate to today. I was thinking of the snow and dirt we pick up on our shoes every day and how I take off my shoes first thing when I enter my home. My home is my place to get away from the dirtiness of the outside world. In Ruth we see the removal of sandals was a sign of a covenant between two parties. Finally, in John 13 we see Jesus washing His disciple’s feet-a sign of humbleness.
According to the Insight for today’s Our Daily Bread, “Theologians also postulate that the sandal, which are inconstant contact with the literal ground, symbolize all that’s earthly.” We also read that footwear is considered “profane and common.” My first thought when I read this is by taking my shoes off when I get home for the day keeps my home cleaner. Then I thought my home is place where I meet with God every day, so I also need to be careful of what I bring into my home whether it be something physical or through my internet-capable devices. Would Jesus like what I am watching on TV or the website I am looking at? What other things am I bringing into my home which might cause me to sin? Something to ponder about.
In Ruth chapter four we see Boaz asking the guardian-redeemer marry Ruth to carry on the line of her deceased husband, a custom of the time. The book of Ruth in the Bible tells a beautiful story of a woman and her mother-in-law, both widows, being saved from being destitute and without an heir. Verse seven specifically talks about how the removal of sandals is a covenant between two parties. 7(Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.) This reminds me of the covenant we can have with God through His Son Jesus. Jesus’ dying on the cross seals the covenant. See, when Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the tree of the Lord had told them not to eat from, it broke the relationship covenant between God and humans. Because of that break all people carry the sin nature. We need to accept Jesus’ death and resurrection as a new covenant in our lives. Remember Jesus probably died with His shoes off since the Roman soldiers took His clothes and gambled to see who would get each article of clothing. Something to ponder about.
John 13 tells the story of the last supper Jesus had with His disciples before His death. It was the custom back then to have a servant wash the feet of the guests a person invited to dinner. Because sandals were worn everywhere the feet tended to get dirty. It was a servant’s job to wash the feet. It does not say why Jesus waited until the meal had already started, but it was the reason Jesus washed the feet of the disciples I want to stress. Here is the verse: After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. Jesus was showing humility of serving others. Jesus was the Son of God worthy of being served, but He did not live like that. He became human so He could die on the cross to save us. How are we following Jesus’ example and humbling serving others? Something to ponder about.
In conclusion: we are to remove the “dirtiness” of our lives by entering in the new covenant Jesus is offering us and to live humbly like Jesus. Take off your shoes!
Great insight! It really is a good analogy. Our homes are special keep out the dirt!
We also take our shoes off, for the same reason of keeping the home clean. But I love the deeper connection with God you have made here in taking shoes off! I know a lot of religions and cultures around the world do the same.
This is a very insightful perspective on Take off your shoes. Good reminder to leave unGodly things outside.
Thank you for sharing. We try to always take our shoes off when we enter our home.