Shoe: Removed While on Holy Ground
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In the biblical narrative, the act of removing one's shoes in the presence of holy ground is a significant gesture of reverence and humility before God. This practice is most notably illustrated in the encounters of Moses and Joshua with the divine presence.

Moses and the Burning Bush

The first and most prominent instance of this practice is found in the account of Moses at the burning bush. In Exodus 3:5 , God speaks to Moses from the midst of the bush, saying, "Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." This command signifies the sanctity of the location, as it is the dwelling place of God's presence. The removal of sandals is an acknowledgment of human unworthiness and the need for purity when approaching the divine.

The context of this event is crucial. Moses, tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, encounters the burning bush on Mount Horeb, also known as the mountain of God. The divine instruction to remove his sandals underscores the transformation of an ordinary location into a sacred space due to God's presence. This act of removing footwear is a physical manifestation of Moses' submission and respect for God's holiness.

Joshua and the Commander of the LORD's Army

A similar event occurs in the book of Joshua. As Joshua prepares to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, he encounters the commander of the LORD's army. In Joshua 5:15 , the commander instructs Joshua, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." Joshua complies, demonstrating his recognition of the divine authority and the sanctity of the moment.

This encounter takes place near Jericho, just before the Israelites' conquest of the city. The command to remove sandals serves as a reminder of God's presence and the need for reverence as the Israelites embark on their divinely ordained mission. It also parallels Moses' experience, linking Joshua's leadership to the foundational events of the Exodus.

Symbolism and Significance

The act of removing shoes in these contexts is rich with symbolism. In ancient Near Eastern culture, shoes often carried the dust and impurities of the world. Removing them was a way to show respect and to avoid defiling a sacred space. It is an outward expression of an inward attitude of humility and reverence.

Furthermore, the removal of shoes can be seen as a metaphor for the stripping away of earthly concerns and distractions, allowing the individual to focus solely on the divine encounter. It signifies a readiness to listen and obey God's commands, as both Moses and Joshua were called to do.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, these narratives emphasize the holiness of God and the appropriate human response to His presence. The command to remove shoes highlights the distinction between the divine and the mundane, reminding believers of the need for purity and reverence in worship. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's transcendence and the respect due to Him.

In the broader biblical context, these accounts foreshadow the ultimate revelation of God's holiness in the person of Jesus Christ. The call to approach God with humility and reverence remains a central tenet of Christian faith, encouraging believers to recognize the sacredness of God's presence in their lives.
Nave's Topical Index
Exodus 3:5
And he said, Draw not near here: put off your shoes from off your feet, for the place where on you stand is holy ground.
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Joshua 5:15
And the captain of the LORD's host said to Joshua, Loose your shoe from off your foot; for the place where on you stand is holy. And Joshua did so.
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Acts 7:33
Then said the Lord to him, Put off your shoes from your feet: for the place where you stand is holy ground.
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Library

While Still Very Young, He Taught Diligently the Word of Christ.
... 4. For not only was he with them while in bonds ... city could no longer contain him;
but he removed from house ... for a number of years never wearing a shoe, and, for ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iii while still very young.htm

Oration on the Holy Lights.
... remain, if it were changeable, and could be removed from one to ... for He knew that
yet a little while and He ... And what is the Latchet of the shoe, which thou John ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxix oration on the.htm

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of ...
... can do, That's worth so much as loosing of my shoe. ... amiss: And as the stones must
thence removed be, In ... do in all things fear: Bewail the man, while you abhor ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse of the building.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... of them 'from a thread even to a shoe-latchet,"lest ... the mountain of the Lord of hosts,
the holy mountain ... be not afraid, 'For yet a very little while, and the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Not that Light, but a Witness.
... surrounded by the little group of disciples; while through the ... cometh after me, the
latchet of whose shoe I am not ... the penalty of sin may be removed, its power ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/viii not that light but.htm

The Church.
... is theirs, from a thread even to a shoe-latchet ... Nothing is more natural to the church,
while in a ... are taken away with God's pruning-hooks, are removed that the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxi the church.htm

Matt. Iii. 7
... And therefore, observe, it is neither removed from the root ... not worthy to unloose
the latchet of His shoe." So too ... For if, while here, thou wilt believe what is ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xi matt iii 7.htm

Appendix xvii. The Ordinances and Law of the Sabbath as Laid Down ...
... might move the lamp to see better, while the pupils ... if otherwise, the coals were
to be removed or covered ... shoes studded with nails, or only one shoe, as this ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvii the ordinances and.htm

Christ Teaching Humility
... renewed; the burden of his sin was removed; and the ... While this was going on, an officer
on horseback, but ... unloose the latchet of our Saviour's shoe; and yet ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching humility.htm

Pride and Humility
... The man without a shoe to his foot may be as ... stones, that it might be filtered and
the impurities removed. ... so little, they do not think it worth while to stoop ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/pride and humility.htm

Resources
Who was D. L. Moody? | GotQuestions.org

What is Euthyphro's Dilemma? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean for something to be amoral? What is amorality? | GotQuestions.org

Shoe: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Shoe

Shoe of the People of Israel did not Get Old

Shoe: Loosened As a Sign of Refusal to Observe the Levirate Marriage

Shoe: Loosing of, a Humble Service

Shoe: Made of Badgers' (Dugong, Porpoise?) Skins

Shoe: Poor People Sold for a Pair of

Shoe: Removed While on Holy Ground

Shoe: Taken off at a Time of Mourning

Shoe: Thong of

Related Terms

Shoe-latchet (1 Occurrence)

Shoe's (1 Occurrence)

Shoelatchet (1 Occurrence)

Sandal (14 Occurrences)

Latchet (4 Occurrences)

Heel (8 Occurrences)

Shoes (32 Occurrences)

Washbasin (2 Occurrences)

Washbowl (2 Occurrences)

Washpot (2 Occurrences)

Brogue (1 Occurrence)

Sole (13 Occurrences)

Shod (5 Occurrences)

Sandals (30 Occurrences)

Drawn (131 Occurrences)

Triumph (52 Occurrences)

Line (131 Occurrences)

Foot (193 Occurrences)

Relation (86 Occurrences)

Loose (219 Occurrences)

Quarter (33 Occurrences)

Untied (6 Occurrences)

Unloose (4 Occurrences)

Unsandaled (1 Occurrence)

Upper (99 Occurrences)

Overreach (1 Occurrence)

Odd (1 Occurrence)

Lace (7 Occurrences)

Legalizing (1 Occurrence)

Gravel (3 Occurrences)

Witness (295 Occurrences)

Worn (29 Occurrences)

Waxen (12 Occurrences)

Final (16 Occurrences)

Figured (4 Occurrences)

Float (4 Occurrences)

Tip (17 Occurrences)

Trap (35 Occurrences)

Transfer (6 Occurrences)

Toss (13 Occurrences)

Transactions (1 Occurrence)

Tool (13 Occurrences)

Repair (26 Occurrences)

Redeeming (5 Occurrences)

Retract (2 Occurrences)

Remove (173 Occurrences)

Rose (279 Occurrences)

Embroidery (12 Occurrences)

Exchanging (6 Occurrences)

Drag (19 Occurrences)

Method (2 Occurrences)

Philistia (12 Occurrences)

Pulled (84 Occurrences)

Pinch (3 Occurrences)

Palms (20 Occurrences)

Peg (8 Occurrences)

Plucked (46 Occurrences)

Barefoot (7 Occurrences)

Boot (1 Occurrence)

Badger's (1 Occurrence)

Bo'az (24 Occurrences)

Confirming (10 Occurrences)

Calker

Changing (31 Occurrences)

Closest (8 Occurrences)

Cocker

Attestation (1 Occurrence)

Aught (52 Occurrences)

Attesting (2 Occurrences)

Shoham (7 Occurrences)

Spat (7 Occurrences)

Standest (6 Occurrences)

String (12 Occurrences)

Shop (1 Occurrence)

Drew (162 Occurrences)

Kin (18 Occurrences)

Whereon (45 Occurrences)

Pull (32 Occurrences)

Shoe: Poor People Sold for a Pair of
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