Beautiful feet

Click here to read Isaiah 20
Click here to read Isaiah 52

I know Isaiah 52 is leaping ahead and is completely out of order.  I apologize to those reading this blog who prefer things orderly.  But I wanted to make a connection within Isaiah and his foot fetish.

For most of us, we don't talk about feet, we don't mention our feet, we do our best to avert our eyes at the beach, pool, and when we walk past that nail place in the mall.  And if seeing feet sends a shutter down our spine, you can only imagine what happens when we have to touch another person's foot.  And so we put socks on our feet, shoes, we cover them up and hide our feet.  I think our aversion  to all things foot related leads to a disconnect between our faith.  After all most of our churches today can hardly imagine engaging in a foot washing ceremony as Jesus did at the Last Supper.  So far, twelve years into ministry, and I have only been able to pull off one foot washing ritual on Maundy Thursday.  We don't like feet.

But feet are an important part of Isaiah's ministry.  In his call from God, the seraphim covered their feet.  In Isaiah 20, he removes his sandals is a sign of protest.  And in Isaiah 52, it is the feet of the messenger that proclaim the good news of release.  Feet.  Feet.  Feet.  What's the deal?

Of course, the cultural gap between Isaiah and today is as wide as the Grand Canyon in this case.  In Isaiah's day there were no tennis shoes, dress shoes, boots, slippers, etc.  The only foot ware was sandals.  Which we know, exposes your feet and provides a little protection against the rocky hard ground.  The other wonderful fact about the Bible is that feet can sometimes be a euphemism for other parts of your body, see Ruth 3:7-8

So, now you know why we don't talk about feet.  I also contend we don't talk about feet because it makes us feel vulnerable. I recently read a book by Brene Brown on vulnerability.  She also has a great video on TED about vulnerability.  Brene says instead of hiding our vulnerability, we need to lean into it in order to live wholehearted lives.  I like that image and I think it resonates with what Isaiah is calling the people to do.  We are called to live wholehearted lives, which includes vulnerability.  We are called to see ourselves as people created in the image of God, fully and wholely, which includes our feet.  Maybe there is a trace of God's grace in that for you and me.

Blessings and peace!