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Isaiah Chapter 20 (BBE)

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Isaiah Chapter 20
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1 In the year when the Tartan came to Ashdod, sent by Sargon, king of Assyria, and made war against it and took it;

2 At that time the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saying, Go, and take off your robe, and your shoes from your feet; and he did so, walking unclothed and without shoes on his feet.

3 And the Lord said, As my servant Isaiah has gone unclothed and without shoes for three years as a sign and a wonder to Egypt and Ethiopia,

4 So will the king of Assyria take away the prisoners of Egypt and those forced out of Ethiopia, young and old, unclothed and without shoes, and with backs uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

5 And they will be full of fear, and will no longer have faith in Ethiopia which was their hope, or in Egypt which was their glory.

6 And those living by the sea will say in that day, See the fate of our hope to whom we went for help and salvation from the king of Assyria: what hope have we then of salvation?

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the strange sign in Isaiah chapter 20 about?
God commands Isaiah to walk naked and barefoot for three years (v2-3) as a living sign that Assyria will lead away captive Egyptians and Ethiopians in the same humiliating state (v4).
What does 'how shall we escape' in verse 6 express?
It's the fearful reaction of coastal peoples watching Egypt and Ethiopia's downfall, realizing their hoped-for allies can't save them - part of the same Assyrian-crisis era recorded historically in 2 Kings 18:17.
Who is Tartan, mentioned in verse 1?
He's a military commander sent by Sargon king of Assyria, who fought against and captured the city of Ashdod - the event that sets the historical timing for Isaiah's sign-act.

Today's Verse

Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;

Ezekiel 17:2 | ASV

Verse Of The Day

Isaiah's three years of walking stripped and barefoot foreshadow how Assyria will lead Egypt and Ethiopia away captive in the same shameful state, a campaign whose commander Tartan appears again in 2 Kings 18:17; the watchman's vigil over Babylon opens in Isaiah 21.