Why does God ask us to take our shoes off?
Do you take your shoes off when entering your home, or a friend’s home? Me too. We also take off our shoes for comfort after a long days work or to enjoy the feel of grass or sand. I believe there is a POWERFUL meaning behind taking off of ones shoes, found in scripture. I’m excited to share it with you today!
“Take off your shoes for you are standing on holy ground” is in the book of Exodus and mentioned again in Acts. Moses was asked to remove his sandals at the burning bush. Have you ever read this scripture?
Scholars teach one reason why his shoes were instructed off was because of reverence & humility. People's shoes were filthy from walking through animals' dung and who knows what else, and exposing our ugly feet is humbling for sure. Showing you all my little piggies is humbling! But have you ever wondered if there is anything more behind this scripture?
The word “holy”, in Exodus 3:5, is qodesh in Hebrew. This word is translated as "holy", or "set apart by God", "a dedicated thing", "sacred", and "holiness".
The main reason why God instructed Moses to takeoff his shoes was because He was making a covenant with Moses. In the same way the rainbow is a reminder of God's covenant with us to never again destroy the earth with a flood, God was saying to Moses that the Israelites would be delivered from slavery and inherit all land that Moses’ feet touched.
Moses was afraid for his life, for killing an Egyptian man, yet God was going to use Moses to free the Israelites from slavery of the Egyptians. God was instilling courage in Moses through this covenant, assuring Moses that he would return to the exact place of the burning bush, where his feet were touching, to praise God after delivering them. The Israelites would inherit all the land the sole of Moses’ feet touched.
Is there a revealing of covenant with us through this passage of scripture also? I believe so! —“Take off your shoes for you are standing on holy ground"… I can imagine God inviting Moses to step into and touch HIS holiness—to reassure mankind that His holiness was meant for us to touch & enjoy.
When God instructed Moses to take his shoes off it appears almost symbolic of an important covenant that He is inviting all of mankind to.
I imagine God saying "I am making covenant with you through my holy sacrifice. Here—feel what My holiness feels like —powerful yet gentle. My holiness is for you to experience, to touch. This is for you. There is NOTHING to be afraid of. My holiness will heal you, comfort you—draw you closer into the destiny I have for you. Do not fear it... take off your shoes. Step BOLDLY into it with all that you are... with all those parts that you are afraid to expose, all those places you are ashamed of. Let My holiness touch you from the sole of your feet, all the way up to the top of your head, setting you ablaze in the most gentle and beautiful way. As you receive Me + My holiness you will inherit all I am and all I have for you.”
Jesus shares His holiness & righteousness with us—to experience with our whole selves. With our most exposed parts that used to bring us shame. His holiness wraps around us to empower, realign, and to set us ablaze.
When Jesus died on the cross, there was a great earthquake. Prior to the earthquake, there was a veil in the Temple that separated man from a place called The Holy of Holies which was the dwelling place of God's manifest presence. As Jesus died, this veil was torn in half, ripping down the middle.
This Temple veil wasn't a thin material like wedding veils are today.
It has been reported that it was perhaps several inches thick—no earthquake (nor the sharpest scissors), nor oxen tied from both ends could tear it... it was God himself tearing the veil.
He was showing us that He took the punishment of our sin & shame on the cross, bringing us into a new covenant with Him, reuniting us back to Himself. He took us out of the slavery and bondage of sin, rescuing us from the power of darkness, and brought us safely into the kingdom of His beloved Son.
When God tore the veil, He was signifying, “There is now no more separation... you have FULL ACCESS to Me, you have full access to My holiness... My presence is in you and with you forever. I have made you holy and pure. Step in, without your shoes, with all that you are."
What can “take off our shoes” look like today?
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In short, if you haven’t yet put your faith in Jesus Christ, this is the first place to start. The Bible says for everyone who believes in Jesus and the sacrifice He made, repenting of their sin —they have been made holy and pure by Christ’s sacrifice. Have you done this yet? If not, please take some time with God, confessing your sin and entrusting your life to Him. “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness”. 1 John 1:9. As you have done this —you have “taken your shoes off” and stepped into His holiness. This is a time of rejoicing!
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Secondly, you can symbolically “take off your shoes” by courageously asking God to see & know every part of you… the good, bad, and the ugly. He knows it all anyway. But when you verbally give Him permission you are joining the process of letting God see you for all that you are. When you expose yourself to Him you are stepping into GREATER FREEDOM. You are telling shame — “you have no more hold over me”. You are allowing yourself to be fully known and fully loved by God, and you are simultaneously embracing yourself.
Can you step in today, with all that you are —to experience His holiness?
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