Why does God tell Joshua to remove his shoes in the holy ground?
Joshua 5:15
NKJV - 15 Then the Commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua, "Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy." And Joshua did so.
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Asked October 18 2015
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Brian Langat
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Singapore Moses
The captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so. Joshua 5:15 ► Three-fold reasons as to why God asked Joshua to remove his shoes: 1. Because He is the Supreme Commander of Hosts of Heaven. The same thing was said to Moses that was said to Joshua as well. Only God could make such a demand (cp. Josh. 5:15 with Ex. 3:1-8) being captain of Hosts of Heaven. 2. Because it was a Holy place with Holy God around. 3. This was a mark of respect (Ex. 3:5; Josh. 5:15). Orientals remove their shoes at home and all places of worship, as westerners remove their hats. It was symbolic of laying aside all pollution from walking in sin.
Tim Maas
The elevation provided by the soles or heels of shoes has the effect of lifting the wearer of the shoes to a height greater than the wearer would have while standing with bare feet on the ground. The wearing of shoes is thus symbolic of pride, or the lifting of oneself not only physically but also spiritually. Removal of shoes in a place where God has declared Himself to be present is therefore an act of humility and respect, and a recognition of one's own unworthiness compared to a holy Being infinitely greater than oneself.
Madeline Dietze
The purpose of shoes is to keep our feet from coming in contact with whatever we are walking on. They inhibit the ground and anything in or on it from touching our bodies. God wanted him to be in direct contact with His Holiness, and therefore, requested that he remove the barrier between his physical body and God's presence.
Jack Gutknecht
During mealtimes the feet were uncovered. (Luke 7:38; John 13:5,6) It was a mark of reverence to cast off the shoes in approaching a place or person of eminent sanctity. (Exodus 3:5; Joshua 5:15) From
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