Beautiful Feet

This Sunday is Pastor Appreciation Day and our church will be honoring our Pastor and his family for their love and devotion to the Lord's work in our church. I couldn't help thinking of this verse today: 

"And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things"!                      ~Romans 10:15

In this passage Paul quotes from Isaiah 52:7 and Nahum 1:15, emphasizing the importance and necessity of preaching the Good News, or Gospel, to a world burdened by sin.  But, be honest, when you read this scripture, don't you giggle just a little imagining the preacher's feet?  I know the first time I read this verse I wondered what in the world God was thinking ... Beautiful feet, really ?!  I believe the Bible IS God's Holy Word but my Dad was my pastor at the time and I knew his feet were far from beautiful !  But,

It's not about the FEET --- It's about the MESSAGE! 

There are different views by Bible scholars about the wording in this scripture.  This is what I've gathered from reading their commentaries:  News was delivered by messengers, often on foot, in the ancient world , and then heralded to the people in their villages.  Villagers would be able to see the messenger running down a mountain slope toward them; anticipation would be high, awaiting news.  Perhaps the messenger is declaring freedom and peace because a war is over.  To this remote village, the dusty and well-traveled feet of the messenger bringing the good news would be considered beautiful because of his message.

 

The Message

As children of God, we are called to share the Gospel message with those we meet.  However, Paul focuses on the preacher as the messenger of the Good News of salvation to a lost soul.  The feet of the preacher that shares the Gospel of salvation by Jesus Christ are truly beautiful, especially to the soul that hears the message, asks forgiveness and accepts Jesus into their heart. 

The Feet

There are, in fact, many references in the Bible concerning feet.  I'll share some with you:

• ULTIMATE AUTHORITY OF THE LORD - Psalm 8:6, "Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet"
• PROTECTION FOR HIS OWN - Psalm 116:8, "For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling."
• GUIDANCE IN ALL THINGS - Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
• GOD IS WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE - Luke 7:38, "And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment."
• SUPREME EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY - John 13:5, "After that he (JESUS) poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded."
• EQUIPPED WITH THE WHOLD ARMOUR OF GOD - Ephesians 6:15, "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace."

Preachers of the Gospel are very close to my heart because I had the privilege of growing up as a PK (preacher's kid).  But more than that, I'm thankful for the men that have surrendered their lives to the ministry and share the message of salvation.  Even if their feet are not beautiful, their message certainly is! 



"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"  ~Isaiah 52:7

"Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace!"   ~Nahum 1:15a

All Scriptures used are KJV