beautiful feet

In Romans 10:15, we read:

Yet how should they be heralding if ever they should not be commissioned? According as it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those bringing an evangel of good!

Here, Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7, which speaks of a messenger coming from off the mountains, bringing tidings of good news. A message of liberation and salvation. But why are his feet called “beautiful”? The Hebrew word used is displayed, elsewhere, as comely (Ps.93:5 — YLT) and lovely (Song of Solomon 1:10 – ESV). What, specifically, makes the feet of a messenger of joyful tidings comely and lovely? What is different about his feet? Is it not that his feet skip and dance?! The feet of those who are in mourning or are depressed, drag-on and trudge. But whoever may announce something happy, runs light-heartily and joyfully. Beautiful feet hop and skip. When Paul was in Lystra, a man, who was paralyzed from his birth was listening to him (Acts 14:8,9). Paul looked at him intensely and said to him: Stand upright on your feet! And what did the man do? “… he SPRANG UP and walked” (14:10). Jumping and skipping is what children are doing. It belongs to the youth and to the new life. Lambs hop and skip in the meadow. I’ve heard many sermons about “a worthy walk” (Col.1:10) and almost always it is about seriousness and heavy responsibilities. But the Good News is a message of the liberation of heavy burdens (Matt.11:28)! Of not having to be worried. Of hope and expectation! That makes our feet beautiful. Leaping and dancing is what David did, when the ark was brought to Jerusalem (2Sam.6:16). David was elated, to the chagrin of Michal the daughter of Saul, who found that David acted frivolously. It is the typical reaction of religious condemnation. Whoever does not want to know the Good News message, cannot understand the joyful leaping and dancing of the bearer of that Good News. But David did not let himself be hindered, on the contrary (2Sam.6:22). The joyful tiding gives wings to our walk.

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. -Isa.40:31- (KJV)

That are beautiful feet!

Delen: