The Hebrew verb chalats carries two primary senses: (1) to draw out or deliver from danger or distress, and (2) to equip or arm for battle. These meanings converge in the idea of being released from one state and empowered for another.
Chalats pictures both rescue and commissioning. God chalats His servants — He pulls them out of the pit (Psalm 18:19) and equips them for mission. The ritual use in Deuteronomy 25 (chalitsah — removing a sandal) occurs when a man refuses the levirate duty; the act of removing the sandal symbolizes releasing the widow from his household. This legal ceremony gave its name to the entire ritual. In warfare, the 'armed' (chaluts) men crossed over Jordan first (Joshua 4:13) — they were equipped, mobilized, ready. Theologically, God's deliverance is never merely rescue; it is also equipping. He brings you out to send you forward.