can anyone explain the ancient custom of washing of the guest's feet upon a visitation?

Question

I'm thinking that it had to be a custom because the LORD didn't seem offended in Gen. 18 when Abraham mentioned washing HIS feet before offering H.I.M. dinner.

What's up with that?

Answer 1

Just cleaned the carpet

Answer 2

The custom of washing feet was actually something done by servants in the household. This was done because people wore sandals and walked virtually everywhere. This caused a guest's feet to be quite dusty by the time they arrived a the host's house. The guest would be greeted by a servant who would wash the person's feet.

When Jesus did it, He was lowering Himself to the form of a servant, and thereby setting us an example of how we were to treat each other. Some churches incorporate footwashing into their services, although, there are many ways to serve other believers that I personally think are much more useful these days than washing someone's feet.

Answer 3

Washing the feet of visitors who stopped by your tent (in this case) "residence" is a very old Biblical tradition indeed.

You'll notice not only does Abraham (Or for the devout Jew, Father Abraham) observes this custom - his brother-in-law, Lot does the same also in Genesis 19:2 immediately before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

As you may remember this passage refers to the pre-incarnate Christ (the non-human form we all recognize from the New Testament) who arrived to investigate firsthand the reports of extreme evil wickedness in both Sodom and Gomorrah.

If you remember also, both cities once Lot (Abraham's brother-in-law) had left were utterly destroyed.

Sarah, Abraham's wife (Who before was Sari) was promised a son in her old age (Isaac) who would become a mighty nation.

I'm not fully sure your question asks about washing Jesus's feet specifically or that of washing feet in general, so let me explain both briefly, o.k.?

Why did Jesus choose to appear in this form? Three reasons:

1. This was not His appointed time frame to appear as Himself (That comes later on in the New Testament as a "promised Savior")

and

2. To see if Abram's heart (He had recently become Abraham remember?) was truly focused on Him.

and

3. To see if there were any righteous in these accursed cities who should be spared destruction since God promises to never let the innocent/righteous suffer with the guilty.

Visitors during Abraham's time could be "angels unaware" (As in this case, obviously they were) so when they appeared, great hurry was made to welcome them and show hospitality.

This custom is still practiced today but likely not to the same extent it was done during this time.

Jesus would certainly not be offended by this custom: note John 5:12-17 (Washing of the Disciple's feet).

Perhaps, this was a forerunner of things to come and allowing Abraham indeed a great honor. But of course, who knows the mind of God?

Washing the feet (in general) was a sign of friendship similar to us shaking hands today. The open palm indicates no hostile intent and also shows an unspoken willingness to accept another.

This custom was also considered good hygiene since people of this era often bathed the only consistently dirty area most often dirty was the feet.

To some Stoics of this time, the feet were considered symbolic also.

Hopefully some of this helps you better understand.

God Bless You in Your Search!

Answer 4

Kissing, washing the visitors feet and anointing their head with oil was a way of expressing friendship back then.

The good effects of the feet washing was welcomed because for most back then, those puppy's was their mode of transportation. Once the visitor arrived, those puppy's really did need the cleansing and massage of a good wash.

Answer 5

It was a custom. It was a way to show your great love or friendship for the person whose feet you were washing, like the women who loved Jesus so much she went and washed and kissed his feet

Answer 6

Those people lived in the dessert and had only simple sandals. They walked everywhere through the dust and heat. A wash must have been a nice relief to those weary, dusty feet.

Answer 7

During the last supper, Jesus washed the feet of all his disciples. He said that if I, your lord stoop to wash your feet, then why would you guys not serve others as I serve you.

Answer 8

did you just step in s*it dude? Ah man let me wipe your feet before you smear it all over the place.


And then it because some religious thing since everyone was wiping s*it off each other anyways,

http://flushaholybook.com

Answer 9

Tight leather sneakers and no socks.

Answer 10

ackground
The root of this practice appears to be found in the hospitality customs of ancient civilizations, especially where sandals were the chief footwear. A host would provide water for guests to wash their feet, serve the guests by washing their feet, or even provide a servant to wash the feet of the guests. This is mentioned in several places in the Old Testament of the Bible (e.g. Genesis 18:4; 19:2; 24:32; 43:24; I Samuel 25:41; et al.), as well as other religious and historical documents. A typical Eastern host might bow, greet, and kiss his guest, then offer water to wash his feet. Though the wearing of sandals might necessitate washing the feet, the water was also offered as a courtesy even when shoes were worn.
Biblical reference
Christian denominations that observe feet washing do so on the basis of what they believe is the authoritative example and command of Jesus as found in the Gospel of John 13:1-15:

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After 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. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus 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. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Washing the saints' feet is also mentioned in I Timothy 5:10.
History
The rite of feet washing appears to have been practiced in the early centuries of Christianity, though the evidence is scant. For example, Tertullian (145-220) mentions the practice in his De Corona, but gives no details as to who practiced it or how it was practiced. It was practiced by the church at Milan (ca. A.D. 380), is mentioned by the Council of Elvira (A.D. 300), and is even referenced by Augustine (ca. A.D. 400). Observance of feet washing at the time of baptism was maintained in Africa, Gaul, Germany, Milan, northern Italy, and Ireland. According to the Mennonite Encyclopedia, "St. Benedict's Rule (A.D. 529) for the Benedictine Order prescribed hospitality feetwashing in addition to a communal feetwashing for humility." It apparently was established in the Roman church, though not in connection with baptism, by the 8th century. The Albigenses observed feetwashing in connection with communion, and the Waldenses' custom was to wash the feet of visiting ministers. There is some evidence that it was observed by the early Hussites. The practice was a meaningful part of the 16th century radical reformation. Feet washing was often "rediscovered" or "restored" in revivals of religion in which the participants tried to recreate the faith and practice of the apostolic era.
Protestant practice
Feet washing is observed by numerous Protestant and proto-Protestant groups, including Pentecostal and Pietistic groups, most Anabaptists, and some Baptists. Though history shows that feet washing has at times been practiced in connection with baptism, and at times as a separate occasion, by far its most common practice has been in connection with the Lord's supper service.

The observance of washing the saints' feet is quite varied, but a typical service follows the partaking of unleavened bread and wine. Deacons (in many cases) place pans of water in front of pews that have been arranged for the service. The men and women participate in separate groups, men washing men's feet and women washing women's feet. Each member of the congregation takes a turn washing the feet of another member. Each foot is placed one at a time into the basin of water, is washed by cupping the hand and pouring water over the foot, and is dried with a long towel girded around the waist of the member performing the washing. Most of these services appear to be quite moving to the participants.

Among groups that do not observe feet washing as an ordinance or rite, the example of Jesus is usually held to be symbolic and didactic. Among these groups, feet washing is nevertheless sometimes literally practiced. First, some reserve it to be a practice of hospitality or a work of necessity. Secondly, some present it as a dramatic lesson acted out in front of the congregation.

A few Baptists (and perhaps others) that literally observe the washing of feet scruple to call it a third ordinance and rather refer to it only as an example.

Latter-day Saints perform washing of the feet as an ordinance in their temples, although it is used only rarely.
Catholic practice
In Roman Catholic practice, the washing of feet is usually referred to as pedilavium, or sometimes mandatum. "In the latter half of the twelfth century the pope washed the feet of twelve sub-deacons after his Mass and of thirteen poor men after his dinner. The Caeremoniale episcoporum directs that the bishop is to wash the feet either of thirteen poor men or of thirteen of his canons." (Catholic Encyclopedia). The pedilavium, or washing of the feet, is a regular part of the Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter) church services. This ceremony features the priest washing the feet of twelve people to commemorate Jesus' washing the feet of his disciples.

Similar foot-washing rites are observed in some Anglican,Lutheran and Methodist churches. The foot washing service is practiced regularly by members of the Seventh-day_Adventist_Church.
External links
*Catholic Encyclopedia - Washing of Feet and Hands
*Footwashing as an act of building community - a Brethren viewpoint
*How to conduct a foot-washing service - a liturgical viewpoint
*Mennonite Confession of Faith - Article 13 - Foot Washing
*The Ordinance of Feet Washing - a Churches of God General Conference (Winebrenner) viewpoint

*see also entries such as "Maundy Thursday" in the Catholic Encyclopedia
References
*Historical and Informational
*Appalachian Mountain Religion: a History, by Deborah Vansau MacCauley
*Catholic Encyclopedia, Charles G. Herbermann, Edward A. Pace, Condé B. Pallen, Thomas J. Shahan, and John J. Wynne, editors
*Eerdman's Handbook to the History of Christianity, Tim Dowley, et al., editors
*Encyclopedia of Religion in the South, Samuel S. Hill, editor
*Foxfire 7, Paul F. Gillespie, editor
*Manners and Customs of Bible Lands, by Fred H. Wight
*Mennonite Encyclopedia (Vol. 2), Cornelius J. Dyck, Dennis D. Martin, et al., editors
*Historical and Theological (con)
*Footwashing by the Master and by the Saints, by Elam J. Daniels
*Manual of Church Order (ch. 6), by J. L. Dagg
*Historical and Theological (pro)
*A Free Will Baptist Handbook: Heritage, Beliefs, and Ministries, by J. Matthew Pinson
*Baptist Doctrine: the Doctrine of Foot Washing, by R. L. Vaughn
*Washing the Saints' Feet shown to be an Ordinance of Christ, by Joseph Sorsby