Isaiah 20 WBT
Summary: In the year Assyria's commander captured Ashdod, the LORD commands Isaiah to walk stripped and barefoot for three years as a living sign and wonder against Egypt and Cush (Ethiopia). This enacted prophecy signifies that the king of Assyria will lead away the Egyptians and Cushites captive and barefoot in the same shameful state, young and old alike, to Egypt's disgrace. The inhabitants of the coastland are pictured as dismayed, having lost their hoped-for allies against Assyria, left asking how they themselves will escape. The short chapter functions as a real-time enacted warning against Judah trusting in Egypt or Cush for deliverance.
1In the year that Tartan came to Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;
2At the same time spoke the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go, and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
3And the LORD said, As my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years [for] a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Cush;
4So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Cushites captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with [their] hind-parts uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
5And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Cush their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.
6And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such [is] our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?
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