As he was surveying Jericho, Joshua saw a man standing opposite him with his sword drawn. “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” Joshua asked. “No,” he replied. “I have now come as Commander of the Lord’s Armies.” At this Joshua threw himself to the ground in reverence and asked, “What has my Lord to say to His servant?”
But before the conversation went any further, the Commander said, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.”
The Commander was there to instruct Joshua on the conquest of Jericho. But the FIRST order of business was for Joshua to get his sandals off. Why? Because the ground was holy–made holy by the Lord’s presence.
Throughout the Scriptures, whenever God’s holiness is revealed, people and angels are undone. They are terrified. They cover their mouths and faces. Their inward parts tremble. They refuse to look up. They fall on their faces to the ground. This includes un-fallen angels and holy prophets.*
But to my shame that is not how I typically respond to the Lord. It can only mean that I have not sufficiently grasped (a) the Lord’s holiness, and (b) my wretchedness.#
It’s not that I purposefully set out to do this. It’s more that I’m oblivious. Unaware. Ignorant. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less dangerous. Or inexcusable.
From Joshua’s example, I’ve decided to make regular occasions to consciously humble myself in the presence of Holy God. To instruct myself through the Scriptures about His holiness. To praise Him for His holiness. To confess my sins and sinful tendencies. To get on my knees, remove my shoes, and cover my face and feet in humility. I’m not becoming an ascetic. I’m just trying to give Holy God His due. Perhaps you’ll join me?
* Isaiah 6:2-5; Exodus 3:6; Exodus 20:18-19; Judges 13:20-22; Habakkuk 3:16; Luke 5:8; Job 40:4; Job 42:1-6; Revelation 20:11
# Some would take issue with me calling myself “wretched,” since I’ve been washed of my sins by Christ’s blood. But with the Apostle, I am merely reminding myself of just how awful I am apart from Christ’s cleansing: Wretched man that I am…! See Rom 7:24.