BEAUTIFUL FEET
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peaceH7965, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7
The following note is from a resource that is new to us: The ESV Global Study Bible.
In Isaiah’s time, the feet of him who brings good news referred to a messenger announcing a great deed, usually a military victory. Paul quotes 52:7 in Rom. 10:15, as he urges believers to spread the good news of salvation in Christ, freely available for all peoples around the globe. The word “gospel” means “good news.” (33)
Romans 10:15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
The following note is from a book we have not referenced before: Exalting Jesus in Isaiah by Andrew M. Davis.
…the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ among all the nations of the earth by evangelists and missionaries is seen by the apostle Paul in Romans 10:15 as a direct fulfillment of verse 7. (34)
Ephesians 6:15 (NLT) For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
When I look at my feet, the word “beautiful” certainly does NOT come to mind. I have scars on both feet, my toes cross on top of each other, and I do not wear sandals anymore. Now Susan might chime in that she no longer has feet! However, the beauty comes from being messengers of the Lord to bring good news to people everywhere. What is this good news? For Isaiah, the immediate good news was that the Jews would return to Israel and rebuild Zion (a.k.a. Jerusalem) which came to pass under Ezra’s leadership. Currently (2025), the “good news” is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In a nutshell, the good news is that God came to earth in the form of His Son, Jesus, and was born as a human baby: fully man, but fully God. He lived a perfect, sinless life among humankind and taught those who followed Him about God’s kingdom. He died on the cross to satisfy the wrath of God toward our sin, in essence paying the debt we owed. By His suffering the death penalty that should have been ours, He gave us access to God and eternal life with Him. Jesus rose from the grave and is alive today interceding for us at the right hand of the throne of God. Those who have chosen to believe this good news and place their trust in Jesus, surrendering control of their lives to Him, receive His Holy Spirit to teach them, guide them, comfort them, and lead them to live more abundantly.
Ask yourself, “Are my feet beautiful?” The answer is that if you are telling others about the love of Jesus and sharing His good news with them, they are! Paul even included our feet in the armor of the Lord he wrote about in Ephesians 6. The peace that comes from knowing and accepting the Gospel, the good news, are the army boots that help us to stand firm when circumstances try to rob us of our peace! These boots are designed to fit all believers: young or old, tiny or tall, male or female. Somehow, even Susan can put on these boots!!!
Father, help us to be messengers that proclaim the Good News of peace and salvation unashamedly and boldly! Help us to have beautiful feet!
Worship opportunity: Worship with Twila Paris singing her original song “How Beautiful”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVu5VZsCNOI