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.
No comments:
Post a Comment