Sandals

Sandals in the biblical world were the standard footwear of both the poor and wealthy, consisting of a flat sole made of wood, leather, or palm bark fastened to the foot by straps or thongs tied around the ankle and instep. They are distinguished from shoes (which enclosed the foot) in that they left the top of the foot exposed. Removing sandals was a mark of humility or reverence: Moses was commanded to remove his sandals at the burning bush (Ex. 3:5), and Joshua before the angel of the LORD (Josh. 5:15). The custom of the kinsman-redeemer was confirmed by the removing of a sandal (Ruth 4:7–8). John the Baptist, measuring his own humility before Jesus, declared himself unworthy even to perform the slave's task of unfastening the Messiah's sandal (Mark 1:7; John 1:27). Jesus instructed the Twelve to wear sandals for their journeys (Mark 6:9), and Paul was told to bind on his sandals when the angel freed him from prison (Acts 12:8). The metaphor of having feet "shod with the readiness of the gospel of peace" uses sandals as an image of the Christian's preparedness for mission (Eph. 6:15).