Acts 7:33 – ‘Then the Lord said to him, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”’

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Stephen is recounting the moment when God appeared to Moses through the burning bush. God commands Moses to remove his sandals because he is standing on holy ground. This was not because the ground itself was special, but because God’s presence made it holy.

Taking off sandals was a sign of respect and humility. In ancient cultures, removing one’s shoes in sacred places was a way to acknowledge submission to a higher authority. God was making it clear to Moses that he was not just encountering a strange phenomenon—he was in the presence of the Almighty.

This was a turning point for Moses. Up to this moment, he had been living in obscurity as a shepherd, far from Egypt where he had once been a prince. But now, God was calling him to a greater mission—to lead Israel out of slavery. Before Moses could serve God, he first had to recognize God’s holiness and approach Him with reverence.

Historical Context

The original event took place in Exodus 3:5 when Moses was in the wilderness of Horeb, tending sheep. He had been in Midian for 40 years after fleeing Egypt. At this time, Israel had been enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years, crying out for deliverance.

Stephen was retelling this story in the first century A.D., speaking before the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin. These religious leaders prided themselves on knowing Israel’s history, yet they had rejected Jesus, God’s ultimate messenger. Stephen was showing them that, just as Moses had to humble himself before God, they needed to do the same before Jesus.

Theological Implications

1. God’s Presence Makes Things Holy – The ground itself was just ordinary dirt, but God’s presence transformed it into something sacred.
2. Reverence for God is Essential – Moses had to remove his sandals as a sign of humility and respect. In the same way, we must approach God with a heart of reverence.
3. God Calls People into His Service – Before Moses could lead Israel, he had to acknowledge God’s authority. Our service to God must also begin with submission to Him.
4. God is Separate from Sin – Holiness means being set apart. God was showing Moses that He is pure, perfect, and not to be approached casually.

Literary Analysis

This verse is a direct quote from God, which gives it extra weight in the passage. It serves as a pivotal moment in Moses’ story—shifting him from a shepherd in exile to the leader of God’s people.

The phrase “Take off your sandals” is symbolic of surrender. It’s an act of laying aside one’s own status and humbling oneself before God.

The phrase “holy ground” emphasizes that holiness is not about a physical place, but about God’s presence. This theme appears throughout the Bible—wherever God is, that place becomes sacred.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Exodus 3:5 – The original moment when God told Moses to take off his sandals.
• Joshua 5:15 – When Joshua encountered the commander of the Lord’s army, he was also told to remove his sandals.
• Isaiah 6:3-5 – Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness causes him to recognize his own unworthiness.
• Hebrews 12:28-29 – Calls believers to worship God with reverence and awe, for He is a consuming fire.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

• God’s presence still demands reverence – While we have access to God through Jesus, we should never take His holiness lightly.
• Holiness is not about a place, but about God’s presence – Church buildings are not “holy” on their own, but wherever God is worshiped and honored, that place becomes holy.
• Humility is key to serving God – Just as Moses had to take off his sandals, we must lay aside our pride, self-reliance, and sin to truly follow Him.
• God prepares people before using them – Before Moses could lead Israel, he had to recognize God’s authority. Likewise, God calls us to surrender before He can use us for His purposes.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God could have ignored Moses, but He didn’t. Instead, He revealed Himself and invited Moses into His plan. This shows that God loves us enough to call us into relationship with Him.

God’s holiness is not meant to push us away, but to draw us in the right way—with humility and respect. Just as a loving parent teaches their child boundaries, God teaches us to approach Him with the right heart.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God’s holiness – Just as God revealed Himself to Moses through the burning bush, He revealed Himself to the world through Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-3).
2. Jesus makes us holy – In the Old Testament, holiness meant separation from sin. Through Jesus, we are made holy and able to stand in God’s presence (Hebrews 10:10).
3. Jesus calls us to surrender – Moses had to remove his sandals in humility. Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23).
4. Jesus is the new and living way to approach God – In the Old Testament, people had to approach God with caution. Through Jesus, we can boldly come before God (Hebrews 4:16), yet still with reverence.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does the idea of God’s holiness challenge the way you approach Him?
2. Are there “sandals” in your life—things you need to surrender—to fully follow God’s call?
3. How does understanding God’s holiness deepen your appreciation for His love?
4. What are some ways you can cultivate a greater sense of reverence in your daily walk with God?
5. How does this passage point to Jesus, and how does that shape your relationship with Him?

God’s presence is holy, but through Jesus, we are invited to draw near. Are we approaching Him with the reverence and humility He deserves?