Chapter 20 - People of the World put to Shame!

Chapter 20 brings us back to a point in history, reminding us the whole Word of God is anchored in historical fact.

Isaiah 20:1-2 (HCSB) In the year that the chief commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it— during that time the LORD had spoken through Isaiah son of Amoz.

The event Isaiah mentioned, Assyria captured Ashdod, took place between 713 -711 B.C. Isaiah is telling us that in 713 B.C. (not that he called it that) YHWH spoke through him. The balance of this short chapter is an oracle against all who put their hope in the arm of man.

Isaiah 20:2-5 (HCSB) “Go, take off your sackcloth and remove the sandals from your feet,” and he did so, going naked and barefoot— the LORD said, “As My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, so the king of Assyria will lead the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame. Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed.

Foreshadowing Jeremiah, Isaiah is told to go naked and barefoot to confront the king of Assyria, telling him that YHWH's servant, Israel, had been likewise naked and barefoot - humiliated and poor - as a sign and omen against Cush and Egypt. Chapters 18 & 19 were focused on these nations - judgment against them was pronounced. Therefore, Assyria would conquer Cush and Egypt, leading the captives and exiles naked and barefoot, to their shame.

All the wealth of all the nations cannot cover sin, cannot pay for sin. Those who do not humble themselves as the Spirit calls will be put to shame. Those who put their hopes in the riches of the nations will be dismayed and ashamed.

Scripture gives us a different picture for miserable sinners that find refuge in Christ: Romans 10:8b-11a (HCSB) This is the message of faith that we proclaim: If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame.

That last phrase is a quote from Isaiah 28:16. Sinners imputed with the righteousness of Christ will not be put to shame. All who have not found refuge in Him will - just like the captives from Cush and Egypt; just like those who had put their hopes in the big barns of Cush and Egypt.

Isaiah 20:6 (HCSB) And the inhabitants of this coastland will say on that day, ‘Look, this is what has happened to those we relied on and fled to for help to rescue ⌊us⌋ from the king of Assyria! Now, how will we escape?’”

This last verse relates the lament of those in Egypt, people of the coastland, as they realize there is always someone who can take away what you treasure. Moth and rust will take away what the king of Assyria does not. How will we escape? They are left with no hope in this chapter. Recall how the redemption of a remnant from Egypt was revealed in chapter 19. Therein is their hope, which is the Christ. Therein is mankind's only hope.