Romans 10:15 As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” [New International translation]
BIBLICAL COMMENTS
The Book of Romans is often considered one of Paul’s greatest letters. At that time some considered Rome to be the most important city in the known world, so perhaps Paul wanted to make his letter to the Roman church especially clear as to the nature of the Gospel and how Christians should live and act.
In Romans 10:15 Paul emphasizes the importance of preaching the Gospel of peace, the glad tidings of the good news. The word “Gospel,” in Greek means the good news of the coming of the Messiah.
When Paul states “as it is written,” he is referencing the writings of the Prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 52:7, the Isaiah states:
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who bring the happy news of peace and salvation, the news that the GOD of Israel reigns The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for right before their eyes they see the LORD GOD bring HIS people home again.
The image that Paul and Isaiah want to evoke is the image of “the heralder,” the runner who leaves the battlefield to bring back great news to those waiting anxiously at home that GOD had “saved HIS people from defeat. Just seeing the runner approaching with shouting and singing and great joy was a sign that there would be peace, that there would be life (i.e., soldiers would be returning home to their families) and there would be salvation (i.e., GOD’s people would not be enslaved by the enemy).
There was nothing more welcoming and nothing more beautiful than the feet of the bearer of such good news.
Paul wants to convey the importance of how Christians should feel about the task of spreading or preaching the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. Like the “heralder,” preachers and those telling others about CHRIST, should approach their task joyfully, for they are bringing news of victory over death and life everlasting. The Gospel message should be spread with “happy feet,” “joyful feet” and “singing feet.” Both the giver and the receiver are blessed by the message.
PROBLEM FEET
In some of the old 1930’s and 1940’s movies, when a character encountered a frightening situation, and his body would seize up rendering him immobile, one of the comedic expressions the character would utter was “Feet don’t fail me now!”
Unfortunately, many people have foot problems and often feel their feet are failing them.
Some common foot problems include:
- Bunions;
- Heel pain or tightness;
- Lack of circulation;
- Stiffness;
- Instability;
- Weak ligaments.
EXERCISE MAY PROVIDE SOME RELIEF
One of the exercises that WebMD suggests may relieve heel pain and stiffness is calf stretches. This exercise stretches the muscles at the back of the leg (the calf) down into the Achilles tendon, an area above the back of the heel. To do this stretch:
- Stand facing a wall about eye level.
- Put your hands on the wall and then step back about one step on the leg you want to stretch
- Keeping your back heel down, bend your front knee slowly until you feel a stretch in your back leg. Hold for about 15 or 20 seconds and then reverse the legs
- Repeat this procedure about 2-3 times.
Another foot exercise to help with muscular tightness caused by bunions is to sit in a chair, put a napkin on the floor, scrunch up your toes and try to pick the napkin off the floor with your bare feet by grabbing it. This will help to activate the muscles in the big toe.
Another massage type exercise is to place a golf ball under the foot and roll it under the foot about two minutes.
Another exercise is to sit in a chair, point the toes straight ahead and then curl them inward for 5-6 seconds and then repeat the process about 10 times.
Yoga often has a number of postures and exercises for the feet including:
- Downward Facing Dog;
- The Chair pose;
- Mountain pose;
- Tree pose.
Many of the yoga exercises work on balance, stability, stretching and flexibility. Gyms often have yoga classes as part of their group workout activities. Some gyms have classes specifically for beginners, seniors or the more experienced.
A gym trainer may recommend other gym equipment (e.g. Stairmasters) that may help improve the circulation in your feet.
If you have been diagnosed with a medical condition, you have a painful foot problem, or have other medical concerns, speak to your personal physician about what exercises or workout routine is best for you. You should also speak to your physician if you are taking medication. A podiatrist, a doctor trained in treating foot problems, may also be helpful.
HAVE BEAUTIFUL FEET
Part of our great commission (Matthew 28: 16-20) is to make disciples of all nations. We are to bring good news—with great joy! We are to have beautiful feet.
One way to have beautiful feet is to have praying feet. Paul invites each of us to remember this GREAT GOSPEL, to celebrate our salvation and the salvation of others as we bring THE WORD. Good news is needed now more than ever.
Let us all pray that our feet not fail us.
Be joyful and BE BLESSED!
