Even our FEET are ‘BEAUTIFUL’ when we SHARE the GOSPEL!
August 2 Bible Reading: Isaiah Chapters 52-54
Even our FEET are ‘BEAUTIFUL’ when we SHARE the GOSPEL!
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad
tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, "Your
God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:7)
These verses announce the release of Israel from Babylonian
captivity. While Israel was in captivity, God’s earthly sovereignty was not
recognized, but when the Jews returned to rebuild their city, His earthly rule
was reestablished. However, the day is coming when His rule will be
reestablished for all eternity. The
deliverance of Jerusalem (Zion) is a picture of the eventual redemption of the
world by Jesus Christ!
The watchmen (v. 8) announce the coming of messengers with
the good news (v. 7) that the Lord has bared His holy arm (v. 10) and delivered
Jerusalem (v. 9). As a result, the Jews are commanded to leave their bondage,
and the commands follow a progression: “Listen!”
(51:1); “Awake!” (51:17; 52:1) and “Depart!” (52:11). Messengers run from the scene of battle across the hills to Zion with
the good news that God reigns!
The theme of God’s deliverance for His people now reaches its
greatest expression in Jesus Christ who will suffer for the sins of His people,
and by extension that of the whole world. The prophet foresees the Millennium,
when Jerusalem will once again be the holy city, and the uncircumcised and the
unrighteous will no longer enter her gates. The vision is of the feet of the
one who runs from the scene of battle across mountains to the city waiting for
news (2 Sam. 18:26). The glorious message of this runner is salvation, meaning “victorious deliverance” (49:8). This is called the gospel or, good
news or, glad tidings!
Prophet Isaiah is symbolically speaking about the evangelists
will who announce the salvation message through the gospel of Jesus Christ! To
bring good tidings means to “preach”
or “carry good news.” It certainly
anticipates the gospel of the New Testament that results in peace and salvation
for one and all.
Paul quotes this verse in Romans 10:15 with direct reference
to preaching the gospel: And how shall
they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the
feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good
things!" The good news of God’s message is that of peace and
salvation, the basis of the name Jesus!
The good news of peace and
salvation prophesied by Isaiah was
effectively delivered by Jesus Christ. The gospel is good news for sinners who
stand under the judgment of God! Through Jesus Christ, every sinner can have
forgiveness of sins and peace with God (Acts 13:38; Rom. 5:1; 6:23), and this
salvation is a free gift of God’s grace!
(Eph. 2:3–9)
It is time for us to speak up and tell the world what God has done for His people! As Apostle Paul lists the heavenly armor to be put by us (see Eph. 6:15), can we put on our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace today? If we are willing and serious about sharing this wonderful gospel, God finds even our feet to be beautiful in His sight!
