Beautiful Feet
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news.
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful are your feet? In our western culture, we do not like to talk about feet. However, in biblical times, one’s feet were the dirtiest part of one’s body. People in Jesus’ day didn’t have shoes as we have them today. They either wore open sandals, similar to flip-flops, or they walked on their bare feet. After walking on unpaved paths and roads, people’s feet would be covered with dust and dirt. That’s why a good host would have a servant wash the feet of each guest as a sign of welcome and hospitality into his home.
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah uses the word beautiful to describe feet, not because of any visible physical attribute, but because he saw beauty in what they did. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news” (Isa 52:7). After seventy years of captivity in Babylon resulting from their unfaithfulness to God, messengers arrived with encouraging words that God’s people would soon be returning home because “the Lord has . . . redeemed Jerusalem” (v 9).
Notice very carefully v 10, the good news was not attributed to the military might of the Israelites or any other human effort. Rather, it was the work of God’s “holy arm” on their behalf. The same is true today, as we have victory over our spiritual enemy through Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross. In response, we become the messengers of good news, proclaiming peace, good tidings, and salvation to those around us. And we do so with beautiful feet.
Bible Reading
Isaiah 52:7:10.
Prayer
Thank You, Father, for sending people into my life to share the news of Christ’s sacrifice. Help me to share it joyously with others. In Jesus name. Amen.
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