Masonic bible: a man took off his shoe
“Now this was the custom in ancient times in Israel about redeeming and about changing to confirm all things: a man would take away his own and give it to his neighbor…” Ruth 4:7 (Masonic Bible )
During the ceremonies of the entered apprentice degree, the candidate is instructed in the above-mentioned passage of Scripture from the Masonic Bible, which is intended to indicate both confirmation of a contract and a commitment to full compliance with terms and conditions. of that contract. In Freemasonry, this symbolism is intended to convey the sanctity of the contract made between the candidate and the Masonic institution when he assumes their vows. For the Israelite of Ruth’s time there was nothing more essential than shoes, or sandals, without which men and women were forced to walk on hot sand, earth, and rocks. Consequently, giving a shoe to another person not only conveyed the importance of commitment, but also the feeling that the person to whom the shoe was given was just as important as the person giving it to them.
This symbolism is repeated throughout Masonry through different lessons, for it is the purpose of the Office to ensure that every Mason appreciates the importance of his vows and promises. Entire charities depend on meeting such commitments. Shriners-operated hospitals would disappear if Masons suddenly decided that caring for the homeless is not important. Nursing homes would no longer receive funding if groups of Masons turned their backs on the needs of others. Members of individual Masonic lodges would never experience random acts of kindness from their brethren if Masons concluded that self-interest is more important than helping others. It is the agreement or pact made by each Freemason that guarantees that the world will experience the fruits of Masonic labor. However, as with other Masonic symbolism, there are also other esoteric lessons to be learned from the Masonic Biblical writings found in the Book of Ruth.
“Now this was the custom of old in Israel about redemption and change to confirm all things: a man torn off
his own and gave it to his neighbor…”
Ruth 4:7
“Taking off your shoe and giving it to another” also symbolizes redemption and change and is equally important to Freemasons. For those who regularly attend religious services and watch the collection plate being passed around, it is intriguing to note how often people throw in some change, a dollar or two, or perhaps nothing at all. For some, simply having attended the service is enough, as it represents the sacrifice of time, if nothing else. Similarly, the Freemason who works for a living has probably watched his co-workers express their support to those in need during the holidays, but how often does he observe actual acts of charity: giving time, food, shelter, and compassion? ? It is within this realm that redemption and change apply.
Theologians frequently remind their audiences of man’s original fall from God’s grace, commonly known within such circles as “original sin.” The villain here is temptation, about which much has been written before. Temptation represents the transition from obedience to disobedience. The man who has given in to the temptations that have invaded his life is truly in need of redemption and change to recover his original obedient nature. The Holy Scriptures offer us the allegory of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to convey to us the importance of all men striving to control their passions and keep them within the proper limits for all humanity.
In the Masonic Bible book of Genesis, Eve heard the voice of the serpent, saw that the tree of knowledge was good for food, and took and ate what she desired in complete contravention of God’s command. There is no greater symbolism of disobedience recorded anywhere in our Holy Scriptures, or anywhere else in any other traditional history. The voice of the serpent represents the living being whose intelligence is more advanced and whose consciousness is turned towards the horizontal or material plane rather than towards the vertical or spiritual plane. The intelligence of both Adam and Eve before the Fall was totally vertical. Their eyes had not been opened to their own “nakedness” and they were conscious of everything vertical, or of God. After the Fall, the understanding of his condition changed radically. Suddenly aware of their nakedness, the fig leaves adjusted to cover the most private parts of the human body and their entire consciousness was consumed with things related to the material plane.
Here, the serpent symbolizes the principle of power apart from God. The rest of the stories and stories expounded in the Holy Scriptures relate to man’s journey back to the living God. Temples are erected in his name; the prophets exhort the generations to obey their laws; wars are fought because of him; men suffer in obedience to his word; and, man seeks a messiah to deliver salvation. Along the way, man also discovers that the true principle of obedience is unreserved devotion to the one voice from on high. It is precisely at this juncture that Freemasonry generally steps aside to allow Freemasons and their families to find their own path to salvation, so that all men at all times and in all places may know that Freemasonry is not a religion. .
Those who follow the Jewish faith find their way to redemption and change through the Law of Moses, including the Ten Commandments. Buddhists walk the path of inner serenity, just like Hindus, each seeking inner peace that illuminates the soul. Christians choose to accept the divinity of Jesus Christ. Muslims try to align themselves with the teachings of Muhammad and his descendants to ensure a proper place in the world of obedience to God. But what about the Freemason who has not selected a formal religion to follow? If he does not adhere to a particular dogma, is his journey from the Fall to obedience destined to fail? Freemasonry tells such a man that he will not fail if he devotes himself unreservedly to the only voice from above: the voice of the Supreme Architect of the Universe.
All of human existence is about choices: the choice to live in the light, as well as the choice to live in the dark. Humanity is offered a plethora of religious doctrine to choose from and is surrounded by the philosophies developed by the greatest minds that have ever lived. History, literature, and science also weigh in and put before each and every one a literal banquet of options. He who has chosen well has chosen the path that leads directly back to obedience. Man is both redeemed, or claimed by the Creator, and changed when he decides to ask God to reveal his will; he seeks to understand how to apply that will to his own life; and he knocks on the door of the Great Architect with faith that the door will open. The door is never forced open. It is expected to open by the will of God.
It is relatively easy to discern the obedient person. Avoid anger and replace it with kind words to your neighbor. He acknowledges his own faults, apologizes for his slights to others, and resolves to do better next time. He freely gives of his precious time to serve, comfort, and sympathize with others. He visits widows, orphans, and the elderly. He avoids disputes and builds harmony. He understands different points of view and keeps pride in check. And, he regularly kneels in humble praise and supplication to the Almighty Father of the Universe-the only living God. Simply put, he is a Freemason.