Dirty Feet. Holy God.
In Exodus 3, we find Moses at the base of Mt. Horeb, minding his own business, and tending his father-in-law's sheep. All of a sudden, the Angel of the Lord appears to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a desert bush.
Like most guys, he’s curious about this phenomenon and walks closer to investigate.
A voice calls from the desert bush, “Moses, Moses! Don’t come any closer! Remove your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground!”
This interaction between Moses and the Angel of the Lord got me wondering, “Why did God allow the dirty feet of Moses to touch holy ground?” I searched several commentaries to find a satisfactory answer.
Most of the theologians supplied similar answers!
Matthew Henry explained it this way, “Putting off the sandals was a token of respect and submission as we draw near to God with pause and preparation; carefully avoiding a spirit of lightness or rudeness” (Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible).
Other commentators referenced the barrier that the sandals created which separated the man from his God.
I wanted a deeper answer. I began musing more about it. Pondering. The following thoughts were not scooped from the rich depths of a theological treasure chest, but from a heart that’s less than perfect and has been forgiven of much throughout my walk with the Lord.
Whenever I think of feet, I want them covered! I despise bare feet; especially my own. Some are crooked. Some are hairy. Some are soft. Others are dry and rough. A universal truth is, however, that every pair will begin to smell horrible if the person they’re attached to fails to bathe for some time.
The bottom line truth is that feet are gross! Yet, in the Exodus 3 passage, there is no requirement given by the Angel of the Lord to Moses commanding him to wash his feet prior to removing his sandals and placing them on holy ground.
Could it be that the Lord desires for us to come to Him “just as we are” or “just as He found us?” Dirty feet and all? That’s how I read the passage!
In fact, Moses had been running from his calling and purpose for forty years prior to this encounter with the Angel of the Lord. That’s a lifetime of dust and debris! Yet, Moses was allowed to stand on holy ground, in the presence of the Lord. Barefoot, no less. That’s amazing grace!
In John 13, we see Jesus surrounded by His friends - His disciples - and they have dirty feet! No requirement is mentioned in the text instructing them to wash their feet prior to being in His presence. No snap of the Master’s fingers summoning the hired help to locate a wash basin and a large bar of soap! In fact, we actually find Jesus taking the posture of a servant and washing their stinking feet! What gives?
Why did God allow the dirty feet of Moses to touch holy ground? What could a Holy Messiah want with washing the dirty feet of His friends? I believe that these two scenes capture the overwhelming depth of God’s love for His children!
As we walk daily through this filthy world, our spiritual feet tend to get dusty, muddy, dirty, and smelly. I believe the Lord is saying to His children, “My love for you can handle your dirty, stinky, world-affected feet!”
He then invites us into His presence - barefoot - then begins to thoroughly wash our feet. Refreshing! Invigorating! Revitalizing! Restoring!
What about your feet? How long has it been since you removed your sandals and stood in the presence of God “just as He found you” and allowed Him to wash the dust and dirt of the world from them? You’ll be refreshed! Invigorated! Revitalized! Restored!
Don’t wait too long! People around you may begin to comment about the cheesy, sweaty scent in the air!
Pastor Adam
Like most guys, he’s curious about this phenomenon and walks closer to investigate.
A voice calls from the desert bush, “Moses, Moses! Don’t come any closer! Remove your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground!”
This interaction between Moses and the Angel of the Lord got me wondering, “Why did God allow the dirty feet of Moses to touch holy ground?” I searched several commentaries to find a satisfactory answer.
Most of the theologians supplied similar answers!
Matthew Henry explained it this way, “Putting off the sandals was a token of respect and submission as we draw near to God with pause and preparation; carefully avoiding a spirit of lightness or rudeness” (Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible).
Other commentators referenced the barrier that the sandals created which separated the man from his God.
I wanted a deeper answer. I began musing more about it. Pondering. The following thoughts were not scooped from the rich depths of a theological treasure chest, but from a heart that’s less than perfect and has been forgiven of much throughout my walk with the Lord.
Whenever I think of feet, I want them covered! I despise bare feet; especially my own. Some are crooked. Some are hairy. Some are soft. Others are dry and rough. A universal truth is, however, that every pair will begin to smell horrible if the person they’re attached to fails to bathe for some time.
The bottom line truth is that feet are gross! Yet, in the Exodus 3 passage, there is no requirement given by the Angel of the Lord to Moses commanding him to wash his feet prior to removing his sandals and placing them on holy ground.
Could it be that the Lord desires for us to come to Him “just as we are” or “just as He found us?” Dirty feet and all? That’s how I read the passage!
In fact, Moses had been running from his calling and purpose for forty years prior to this encounter with the Angel of the Lord. That’s a lifetime of dust and debris! Yet, Moses was allowed to stand on holy ground, in the presence of the Lord. Barefoot, no less. That’s amazing grace!
In John 13, we see Jesus surrounded by His friends - His disciples - and they have dirty feet! No requirement is mentioned in the text instructing them to wash their feet prior to being in His presence. No snap of the Master’s fingers summoning the hired help to locate a wash basin and a large bar of soap! In fact, we actually find Jesus taking the posture of a servant and washing their stinking feet! What gives?
Why did God allow the dirty feet of Moses to touch holy ground? What could a Holy Messiah want with washing the dirty feet of His friends? I believe that these two scenes capture the overwhelming depth of God’s love for His children!
As we walk daily through this filthy world, our spiritual feet tend to get dusty, muddy, dirty, and smelly. I believe the Lord is saying to His children, “My love for you can handle your dirty, stinky, world-affected feet!”
He then invites us into His presence - barefoot - then begins to thoroughly wash our feet. Refreshing! Invigorating! Revitalizing! Restoring!
What about your feet? How long has it been since you removed your sandals and stood in the presence of God “just as He found you” and allowed Him to wash the dust and dirt of the world from them? You’ll be refreshed! Invigorated! Revitalized! Restored!
Don’t wait too long! People around you may begin to comment about the cheesy, sweaty scent in the air!
Pastor Adam
Posted in Pastor Adam Gomez