Old Testament
Isaiah 20
Overview
Isaiah 20 is a brief narrative sign-act: in the year the Assyrian commander captured Ashdod, the LORD commanded Isaiah to walk "naked and barefoot" for three years as a sign against Egypt and Cush. This stripped-down figure was a living prophecy that Assyria would lead away the Egyptians and Cushites as captives, naked and barefoot, to their shame. The point is sharp: those who trust in Egypt and Cush for deliverance will be dismayed and ashamed when their supposed saviors are themselves dragged off in disgrace.
1In the year that Tartan came to Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and he fought against Ashdod and took it;
2at that time Yahweh spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loosen the sackcloth from off your waist, and take your sandals from off your feet.” He did so, walking naked and barefoot.
3Yahweh said, “As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder concerning Egypt and concerning Ethiopia,
4so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, and with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
5They will be dismayed and confounded, because of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.
6The inhabitants of this coast land will say in that day, ‘Behold, this is our expectation, where we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria. And we, how will we escape?’”