Week #2: Take Off Your Shoes
Blog Series Intention Recap
Holiness is not a distant concept—it is the defining characteristic of God and the central call for His people - both Israel and the Church. From the throne room of heaven to the burning bush, from the tabernacle to the trembling heart of a prophet, Scripture reveals that God’s holiness is not just something He has—it is who He is. This four-week series explores how holiness shapes heaven’s worship, how it demands reverence on earth, and how it transforms those who encounter it. As we listen to heaven’s song and trace God’s holiness through Scripture, we are invited to respond with awe, obedience, and lives that reflect His set-apart character.
This page is a post in the series “Holy, Holy Holy: Understanding Holiness According to Scripture.” Click here to see the rest of the posts.
Let’s jump into Week #2:
When you see something on fire… Holiness invites us close, but it never allows us to come casually. When God speaks, our first response should be listening, not acting. Like Moses at the burning bush, we remove our shoes in humility—because when God shows up, even ordinary ground becomes sacred.
Why it Matters:
Holiness interrupts routine: Moses was tending sheep—and then everything changed.
God’s presence makes places holy: A bush becomes sacred ground when God steps in.
Reverence comes before mission: Moses had to stop and worship before he could go and serve.
God’s holiness invites but humbles: He calls us close but reminds us to come rightly.
Go Deeper:
Scripture Focus:
Exodus 3:1–6
A Bush on Fire
Moses didn’t expect anything unusual that day.
He was a shepherd now—wandering with his flock near Horeb, the mountain of God. Life had been quiet for 40 years. No signs. No callings. Just heat, rocks, and sheep.
But then… a flame.
“The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.”
(Exodus 3:2, ESV)
The bush was burning—but not consumed. That stopped Moses in his tracks.
What made it strange wasn’t just the fire. It was the persistence of the fire. It didn’t die down. It didn’t devour. It didn’t make sense.
That’s holiness: a fire that burns without destroying.
Holiness Breaks In
This fire wasn’t just a visual. It was a voice. From the flame, God spoke:
“Moses, Moses!”
“Here I am,” he answered.
“Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:4–5, ESV)
God’s presence turned ordinary dirt into holy ground. The wilderness became a sanctuary.
Moses didn’t make the place holy. God did.
This is a pattern throughout Scripture:
The tabernacle becomes holy because God fills it.
The temple becomes holy because His glory rests there.
Jesus’ body is the ultimate holy dwelling (John 1:14).
Now, the church—His people—are made holy by His Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16–17).
Holiness isn’t about geography. It’s about God being there.
Why Take Off Your Shoes?
In the ancient world, removing your shoes was a sign of honor, humility, and readiness.
Honor: You don’t bring the dirt of the world into the presence of a king.
Humility: You acknowledge you are not in charge.
Readiness: You’re prepared to listen, not run.
God says, in effect, “Stop walking. Stop moving. Take this seriously.”
God doesn’t rush into the calling. He doesn’t hand Moses marching orders until He first teaches him worship. Reverence comes before mission.
The God Who Calls
God identifies Himself clearly:
“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” (Exodus 3:6, ESV)
He isn’t a new god. He isn’t a vague feeling. He is the same covenant-making, promise-keeping God Moses has heard about all his life.
That same holy God is now speaking directly to him.
“And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” (Exodus 3:6, ESV)
That’s the right reaction. Not because God is cruel—but because He is holy. His presence is overwhelming, even for someone chosen to lead.
Holiness creates awe. Awe creates fear of the Lord. And the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).
Holiness Is Not Casual
This scene reminds us: God’s presence is not to be treated lightly.
If we are too casual with God, we will miss the weight of His glory.
Moses could have:
Kept walking.
Talked back.
Approached arrogantly.
But he doesn’t. He removes his sandals. He hides his face. He listens.
We often do the opposite.
We approach God:
With noise instead of silence.
With pride instead of awe.
With comfort instead of confession.
But God’s holiness hasn’t changed. He is still the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is still fire. Still perfect. Still holy.
Four Ways Holiness Challenges Us
Holiness demands interruption
Moses’ entire life changed because he turned aside. God often shows up in the middle of our ordinary. But we have to stop and look.Ask yourself: When did you last pause and listen for God’s voice?
Holiness turns the ordinary sacred
It was just a bush. Just dirt. Just a shepherd.
But when God enters, nothing stays common.The places we dismiss may be where God wants to speak.
Holiness precedes calling
Before Moses goes to Egypt, he meets God at the bush.
Before we go to the world, we must meet God in worship.You can’t speak for God if you don’t first sit before Him.
Holiness is both near and weighty
God didn’t stay far away. But neither did He come lightly.
Holiness invites us—but humbles us first.Worship is not just singing—it’s surrendering.
A Pattern That Echoes
The burning bush isn’t an isolated moment.
We see this same theme again and again:
Isaiah: Sees the Lord high and lifted up—and cries, “Woe is me!”
Peter: Sees Yeshua’a (Jesus’) power and says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man.”
John (again): Falls at the feet of Yeshua (Jesus) as though dead in Revelation 1.
Why? Because in the presence of God’s holiness, we see our sin, our smallness, and our need.
But here’s the beauty: God doesn’t push them away. He draws them near. Not by ignoring their sin—but by covering it.
The burning bush leads to the exodus.
The exodus leads to the tabernacle.
The tabernacle points to Messiah.
And Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) brings us into God’s presence—clothed in His righteousness.
Reverence Isn’t Fearful—it’s Freeing
We don’t need to be afraid of God’s presence—but we should never lose our awe.
Reverence is not about distance. It’s about respect.
It says: “You are God, and I am not. I’m listening.”
Taking off our shoes reminds us we come empty-handed.
No merit. No power. No plan.
Just open ears and humble hearts.
How does this help me understand, “Holy, Holy Holy: Understanding Holiness According to Scripture?”
What Would You Do at the Bush?
God still calls. Still speaks. Still shows up.
He may not appear in a flame—but He is present by His Spirit.
He may not light up a bush—but He’s written His Word.
He may not thunder—but He whispers.
So, how should we respond?
Turn aside: Don’t rush. Slow down and notice.
Take off your shoes: Remove whatever pride or distraction you carry.
Listen first: Don’t ask what to do—ask what to hear.
Live set apart: Holiness isn’t just for Sunday. It’s for every step.
Moses’ life didn’t change when he saw the bush. It changed when he stopped to see it.
Holiness isn’t just a heavenly concept. It’s an earthly call.
The God who met Moses in the wilderness is the same God who meets us in our weakness.
He doesn’t need a temple to be holy. He doesn’t need a fire to speak. He simply calls us by name—and invites us to respond.
So… take off your shoes. The ground may be more holy than you think.
