Grace Clothes you, the Law Strips you
“When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood in front of him with his sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our enemies?” He said, “No; but I have come now as commander of Yahweh’s army.” Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshiped, and asked him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” The prince of Yahweh’s army said to Joshua, “Take your shoes off of your feet; for the place on which you stand is holy.” Joshua did so.” (Joshua 5:13-15 WEB)
A “Christophany” refers to an appearance or manifestation of Christ. The passage above is one example. Christ appeared as the commander and prince of God’s army because the children of Israel were about to battle the Canaanites—Christ was essentially saying that He was ready to fight for Israel.
We know that this is not just an angel because Joshua worshipped Him, called Him “my lord” and the Man said that the ground which Joshua stood upon is holy—Joshua was standing in the presence of God.
At that time, the children of Israel were under the dispensation of the Old Covenant of the Law which began at Mount Sinai. Under the Law, God deals with man based on their obedience to the Ten Commandments. If they are not perfect in all their thoughts and ways, then they have to stay away or risk dying if they presumptuously entered God’s presence.
“Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, and be ready against the third day; for on the third day Yahweh will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain.”” (Exodus 19:10-13 WEB)
The Law says take off your shoes—clean yourself first before coming. It strips you, because you are not qualified to freely enter the presence of a holy God.
However, under Grace, there has been a change. In Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, the Father represents Abba God, our Heavenly Father, while the prodigal son represents us (former) sinners who were saved by Grace through faith.
““But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat, and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ They began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:22-24 WEB)
Under Grace, Abba God commands His servants (the angels) to put shoes on our feet. We can freely enter His presence without any fear or hesitation.
You were clothed with righteousness and true holiness the moment you came home to Abba God by placing your faith in Jesus as Lord. You don’t have to earn those shoes. They are your birthright.
God is not mad at you, so draw near to the throne of grace and receive help and mercy in your time of need!
Learn the differences between Law and Grace, and understand Jesus’ words and parables in the Four Gospels through the lens of the New Covenant of Grace: https://bit.ly/understandeveryparable
