Why Does God Say Take Off Your Sandals?

God said take off your sandals twice in the Bible:

1. Exodus 3:5

   “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

   In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
2. Joshua 5:15

   The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

   In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Let’s take a step back.

Isaiah saw heaven and cried out that he was unclean to do such a thing, and they sealed him with a hot coal.  God did not tell Isaiah to take off his sandals.

In Revelations, the Apostle John has a vision of God the Father and Jesus in heaven. No mention of taking off sandals occurs.

When the High Priest enters the Most Holy Place, God does not say he needs to take off his sandals.

I do not want to be dogmatic in my observation here, but let me express what I see.

Isaiah was very self aware of the awesomeness of God and his holiness. The High Priest probably prepares himself for days before entering the Most Holy Place.   Neither needs a wake up call to realize the awesomeness they face.

Moses is out in curiosity looking at the burning bush. Joshua is preparing for battle. Neither has any sense that someone infinitely holy is about to face them.

God must have a reason to say Take Off Your Sandals

I think God does not need people to remove their shoes, or the High Priest would would be required to.

God asked Moses and Joshua to take of their shoes as they enter into His presence. They needed help as were totally unprepared. God needed no help as He is God.

In each case, God explains that the very ground is holy due to the presence of the creator God. His impact on his creation is likely more, but these men needed to wake up, and they did.

Many times, we are unaware of God in our midst. May we find ways to realize how God is always with us. May our hearts always have their ‘shoes’ off.

God is holy, and we should realize that when we want to enter His presence.  How can we wake ourselves up when we seek God? God asked people to take off their shoes to help them we can see.