Lessons from Footstools

 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.  

And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool.

  And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.

 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black.

Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.  

(Matthew 5:34-37)

   This is what the LORD says:

   “Heaven is my throne,
      and the earth is my footstool.
   Could you build me a temple as good as that?
      Could you build me such a resting place?
My hands have made both heaven and earth;
      they and everything in them are mine.

      I, the LORD, have spoken!

   “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,
      who tremble at my word. 

(Isaiah 66:1-2)

In a nutshell, I understand this poetic language to convey a message like this:  "I rule in heaven; and earth serves as a place to rest my feet  ".  His throne and footstool  refer to the vastness of God's power and regal control.  Thrones and footstools exist to accommodate Him!  Not the other way around.

He rules the heavens; he rules the earth.  In light of this truth in picture language, Jesus instructed us NOT to usurp or tamper with God's authority by swearing by heaven or by earth -- as though we had any business calling them to witness our words.  And in Isaiah, God said He would bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at His word.  Who live to accommodate Him--to serve Him with humble and contrite hearts.   

I have enough footstools in my house.  I've found them at thrift stores and garage sales.  They aren't "pretty", but they are comfortable and provide a place for my feet to rest.    And now they also remind me of the Sovereign Control of God over all circumstances in heaven and on earth and my desire to reverently serve Him.