Garments of a Warrior Priest-Feet Shod in Peace

In my continuation on of the “Garments of a Warrior Priest” series, this will directly continue on from my previous, Breastplate of Righteousness, and moving into “feet shod in peace”.

Ephesians 6:14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (KJV)

Generally, when we think of having our feet shod, it is to be covered, like wearing a sandal or a shoe, or when we think of armor, boots. This is a spiritual and symbolic representation of those who share the gospel of Yeshua/Jesus.  Paul spoke of such in Romans 10:15, of which he was quoting from Isaiah 52:7, speaking of the fulfillment of that passage through the disciples going forth and sharing the death, burial and resurrection of Yeshua. As well as being administrators of the New Covenant (2 Cor 3:6).

As we share the gospel with those around us through not only what we speak, but also in how we live our lives, our feet are “shod in the gospel of peace”, proclaiming the salvation found only in Yeshua/Jesus.

♦Romans 10:15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!(KJV)

♦Isaiah 52:7How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”(BSB)

Before our feet can be properly shod in the gospel of peace, they must be washed and cleansed.

The Levites before entering the Tabernacle, washed their hands and feet at the bronze basin, that was between the altar of sacrifice and the tabernacle. Whenever they were to approach the Tent of Meeting or altar to minister, they had to wash with water “lest they die”.

Exodus 19:19For Aaron and his sons SHALL WASH THEIR HANDS AND THEIR FEET thereat: 20When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD(YHWH): 21SO THEY SHALL WASH THEIR HANDS AND THEIR FEET, THAT THEY DIE NOT: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.(KJV)

What is important to understand here, and want to bring to your attention is that the Levites were considered the replacement for every first-born.

Numbers 3:11And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 12And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; 13Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.(KJV)

They also had no inheritance to the land, because YHWH Himself was their inheritance through the priesthood:

♦Numbers 18:20And the LORD(YHWH) spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.(KJV)

♦Joshua 18:7The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.”(BSB)

This was the “portion” or part given to the Levites. I mention this in my previous blog post pertaining to a little historical background on the Levitical Priesthood. 

This now brings me to a significant event that happened when Yeshua/Jesus washed the feet of the disciples after the Passover meal:

John 13:4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.(KJV)

Having just partook in the Passover meal which was the New Covenant confirming meal before Yeshua was crucified, He washed and cleansed the feet of the disciples, through the High Priest of Melchizedek(Heb 5:10), and was preparing them to become priests, consecrating them as a royal priesthood.

The priesthood changed from Levitical to Melchizedek, thus also changing the law in administration from Old Covenant to New.

Hebrews 7:11Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (upon which basis the people received the Law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? 12For when the priesthood is changed, the Law must be changed as well. (BSB)

So, when Yeshua states in the above passage Joh 13:8-“If I do not wash you, you will have no part with me”…He is essentially saying “I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.” (Num 18:20) and that if He does not wash you, you will have no inheritance to eternal life.

The Greek word for “part” per John 13:8 is Meros: