Moses removed his sandals as a sign of reverence and submission to the holiness of God’s presence. When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, He immediately commanded this act:
“Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.'” (Exodus 3:5)
In the ancient Near East, removing one’s sandals was a common gesture of respect, especially in sacred places. Sandals, which touch the dirt and filth of the ground, represented the defilement of daily life. Taking them off acknowledged the sanctity of the ground now occupied by the divine.
God’s presence transformed an ordinary location into a holy place. The act signified that Moses was no longer in a natural setting but in a spiritual encounter with the Lord. He was to approach with humility and awe.
This moment marked a turning point in Moses’ life. He was being called not merely to observe but to serve. By removing his sandals, he accepted his role before a holy God.
The principle carries forward: God’s holiness demands a response of reverence and separation from the unclean. While New Testament believers are not bound by this outward gesture, the inward posture of the heart must still reflect the same honor for God’s presence.
Moses’ barefoot moment reminds us that approaching God requires humility, purity, and readiness to obey.
