Read Isaiah 20 in the King James Bible (opens in a new tab)
Isaiah 20 is a brief but powerful prophetic sign-act concerning Egypt and Ethiopia. The Lord commands Isaiah to walk stripped and barefoot as a visible warning that the nations trusted by Judah would themselves be led away in shame by Assyria. The chapter exposes the danger of relying on political alliances instead of trusting the Lord. Egypt and Ethiopia appeared strong, but their humiliation would reveal that human refuge becomes worthless when God removes its strength. Isaiah 20 teaches that misplaced trust will eventually become open shame, and that God’s people must not lean on nations, power, or human security as their deliverance.
Isaiah 20:1 - 20:6
1 In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;
2 At the same time spake the Lord by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
3 And the Lord said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years [for] a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;
4 So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with [their] buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
5 And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.
6 And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such [is] our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?