Isaiah · Chapter 20 · 6 verses
Isaiah 20
About this chapter
Isaiah 20 — Assyrian Crisis Period
Isaiah — Prophet to Judah during times of national crisis. Set in Jerusalem and the broader region of Egypt and Cush. God commands Isaiah to walk around naked and barefoot for three years as a living symbol of how Egypt and Cush will be led away as captives by Assyria. This shocking visual prophecy warns Judah not to trust in these nations for protection against the Assyrian threat.
“Isaiah 20:3” — 20:3
The humiliation and dedication required to deliver God's uncomfortable truth through personal sacrifice.
Read when: Read this when God is asking you to do something that feels embarrassing but serves His greater purpose.
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 shoes 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?'"