In the year that Tartan came to Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and he fought against Ashdod and took it (Isaiah 20:1)
Isaiah Chapter 20 depicts a significant event in 711 B.C. when the Assyrian army conquered the Philistine city of Ashdod. As a response to this victory, Isaiah's prophetic sign involved walking naked and barefoot for three years, symbolising the humiliation and vulnerability that Egypt and Cush would face under Assyrian rule.
2 at the same time, the Lord spoke by Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and remove the sackcloth from your body, and take your sandals off your feet.” And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.3 Then the Lord said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia,4 so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as prisoners and the Ethiopians as captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. (Isaiah 20:2-4)
It's important to note that Isaiah was not completely nude but rather wearing the customary inner garment of that time, akin to underwear or a nightshirt. The significance of his attire was not focused on nudity but on representing extreme poverty and utter humiliation. By dressing in this manner, Isaiah conveyed the imminent destitution and vulnerability that Egypt and Cush would experience under the dominion of the Assyrians.
Through this powerful visual demonstration, God sought to highlight the severity of the impending judgment and to convey the urgent need for the people to turn their hearts towards Him. It served as a solemn reminder that relying on human strength and earthly alliances would ultimately lead to disgrace and captivity, while true deliverance could only be found in seeking God's guidance and protection.
All throughout scripture, God often uses visual pictures to convey profound messages. Here are a few examples:
In the book of Ezekiel, Chapter 4, God instructs the prophet to lie on his side for a specific number of days as a visual representation of the coming siege against Jerusalem. This action served as a symbolic warning of the impending judgment and the consequences of Israel's disobedience.
The prophet Hosea was commanded by God to marry a promiscuous woman, Gomer, as a metaphorical representation of God's relationship with Israel. Gomer's unfaithfulness symbolised Israel's spiritual adultery and idolatry, highlighting the need for repentance and restoration.
In Jeremiah 18, Prophet Jeremiah was instructed by God to visit a potter's house, where he witnessed the potter moulding and shaping clay. This visual image was used to convey the message that God is the ultimate potter who shapes and controls the destiny of nations, emphasising His sovereignty and authority.
In the New Testament (John 13), Lord Jesus performed the act of washing the feet of His disciples, illustrating humility and servanthood. This visual picture emphasised the importance of selfless love and the need for believers to serve one another.
5 Then they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia, their expectation, and Egypt, their glory.6 And the inhabitant of this territory will say in that day, ‘Surely such is our expectation, wherever we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria; and how shall we escape?’ ” (Isaiah 20:5-6)
The impending judgment upon Ethiopia and Egypt by God will expose the foolishness of Judah's reliance on them for protection against Assyria.
Whenever we place our expectations or find our glory in misguided sources, the Lord will inevitably orchestrate circumstances that disappoint us. Judah's misplaced hope in Ethiopia and their desire for glory through Egypt will leave them fearful and humiliated.
Some examples of Misguided Expectations
• Placing one's entire happiness and fulfilment on acquiring material possessions or wealth, expecting it to bring lasting satisfaction.
• Expecting that success in a particular career or job will automatically lead to a sense of purpose and fulfilment in life.
• Expecting a romantic relationship or marriage to solve all personal problems and bring eternal happiness.
• Expecting that attaining a certain level of physical appearance or beauty will guarantee acceptance and love from others.
This serves as a cautionary reminder that placing our trust in worldly powers and seeking glory outside of God's will ultimately lead to disappointment, fear, and shame. God's judgment reveals the futility of such misplaced allegiances and highlights the need for complete reliance on Him.
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