Isa 20 | MHM | STEP | Threatenings against Egypt This chapter shows that God rules over all nations. He announces coming trouble for Egypt and Ethiopia, but also uses these events to teach His people to trust Him alone. The prophecy is connected to a real event—the capture of Ashdod by the Assyrians—and uses Isaiah’s actions as a sign to warn everyone not to depend on powerful allies instead of God. v. 1 : The prophecy is dated to the year when Ashdod, a strong Philistine city, was captured by the Assyrian army. The king of Assyria is called Sargon, who may be Sennacherib or his predecessor. The general, Tartan, also appears in other Bible stories as one of the top Assyrian officers (2 Kings 18:8, 17 ).

‏ Isaiah 20

Threatenings against Egypt

This chapter shows that God rules over all nations. He announces coming trouble for Egypt and Ethiopia, but also uses these events to teach His people to trust Him alone. The prophecy is connected to a real event—the capture of Ashdod by the Assyrians—and uses Isaiah’s actions as a sign to warn everyone not to depend on powerful allies instead of God.

v. 1: The prophecy is dated to the year when Ashdod, a strong Philistine city, was captured by the Assyrian army. The king of Assyria is called Sargon, who may be Sennacherib or his predecessor. The general, Tartan, also appears in other Bible stories as one of the top Assyrian officers (2 Kings 18:8, 17 ^a).

v. 2: God tells Isaiah to become a living sign for the people by changing his clothes. Isaiah is to take off his sackcloth and walk around with only his basic clothes and barefoot. This was uncomfortable and embarrassing, but Isaiah obeyed. His strange appearance would attract attention and make people ask why he was doing this. God sometimes uses unusual signs to help people understand His message (Hosea 9:7 ^b).

v. 3: God explains the meaning of Isaiah’s sign. Just as Isaiah is walking around nearly naked and barefoot, so the Egyptians and Ethiopians will be taken away as prisoners by the king of Assyria. They will be led away in shame, wearing only rags or nothing at all. Isaiah’s obedience is praised as an example of serving God even when it is hard .

v. 4: The prophecy says that the defeat and captivity will be especially shameful for Egypt. They were proud of their power, so their fall will be even more embarrassing. The Assyrians will capture people of every age and lead them away in disgrace .

v. 5: When other nations see what happens to Egypt and Ethiopia, they will be shocked and ashamed for ever trusting them for help. People had hoped these powerful nations would stop the Assyrians, but instead, they were easily defeated. This teaches that trusting in worldly power instead of God always leads to disappointment (Ezekiel 29:6-7 ^c).

v. 6: The people of Judah, who had hoped Egypt and Ethiopia would save them, will realize their mistake. They will see that their trust in these nations was foolish, because even the mighty could not stand against Assyria. This is a warning that we should put our hope in God, not in human help. Only God can truly save us (Isaiah 20:6 ^d).