Bible Study Lesson for Isaiah 20: When Isaiah Dressed as a Slave

(When I taught my two year long Bible study on Isaiah, I used The Pulpit Commentary Volume 10: Isaiah edited by H.D.M. Spence and Joseph S. Exell to give me a starting point and rough outline of the material covered in the chapters. In this article, when you read the phrase "my commentary", I am referring to this volume.)

This is a short chapter, consisting of only 6 verses. It describes the downfall of Egypt and Cush to the Assyrians, and how God uses Isaiah to warn Judah against allying with these countries against Assyria. We have a dramatic example here, as well, about how God called on his prophet to make a very personal sacrifice.

Read Isaiah 20:1 This verse is of such historical importance because it allows Bible scholars to date this prophecy with great accuracy. First off, where or what is Ashdod? (This is a Philistine city) The Assyrians kept good records of their military campaigns: so we need to look at a time during the reign of King Sargon of Assyria, when the Philistine city of Ashdod was captured. This actually occurred twice, however, in 713 BC and in 711 BC. In the first case it is believed that the second in command or supreme commander led the attack for the Assyrians, in the second case it is believed that Sargon himself led the armies. Isaiah, therefore, gives us enough information to pin down almost the exact date of his prophecy, 713 BC.

Let's review a little of the political climate of this time in history. Firstly, Egypt and Cush were united at this time, as this was during the 25th Dynasty where there was a Cushite Pharaoh on the throne of Egypt. The inhabitants of Ashdod (the Philistines) were given a king by Sargon to rule over them after being defeated; they soon deposed this king and revolted against Assyria. Philistia, Moab, Edom, and Judah banded together against the Assyrians, and called on the Egyptians and Cushites to come to their aid.

The Lord, however, as we will see, was against Judah joining this alliance and depending on the Egyptians and Cushites to come to her rescue.

Read Isaiah 20:2-4 The Lord calls on his prophet to make a special, very personal, sacrifice by walking around in the scant covering of a slave for three years. My commentary states that we should not take the word "naked" literally, for he would have had some clothing, but it would have been very brief, like what one would where when working out in the sun during the day. For someone of his age, rank and position (for he was of noble birth, as well as well known as a prophet) this would have been an extraordinary costume, if not necessarily improper.

Why did the Lord have Isaiah do this? Because many people would have seen Isaiah (including the King of Judah, Hezekiah at this time) and would have asked why the prophet was behaving in such a strange manner. He would have then told the questioner why. And when this prophecy was fulfilled 12 years later, people would still remember the dramatic picture Isaiah made; it surely would have made them think and reconsider doubting his later prophesies.

BTW, this prophecy was fulfilled, it is believed, in 701 BC when Sennarcherib of Assyria fought and defeated the Egyptians who had come to the aid of Ekron (another Philistine city). From the annals of Sennarcherib we know that he took many of these Egyptians and Cushites captive.

Read Isaiah 20:5-6 The nations that had depended on the Egyptians to save them from the Assyrians are going to be terrified when they see the Egyptians defeated. The Assyrians are going to know that the people of Palestine had allied with the Egyptians and their vengeance is going to be great. "the people who live on this coast" describes all the nations that live in the area of Palestine, which is a mere coast compared to the vast lands of Egypt and Assyria. This would include Judah, Israel, Philistia, Moab and Edom.

What can we take away in regards to practical applications from this short chapter?

1)The Lord always keeps His word. What He had prophesied through Isaiah came about, just as He promised. He even went so far as to give us the specifics necessary to verify the truth of His word (through the precise dating of verse 1).

2)As believers we may be called on to do difficult, embarrassing things for the Lord. Walking around dressed as a slave for three years, having people stare at him, could not have been easy for Isaiah, but he did it. There is no record in this chapter that Isaiah ever complained or questioned God about what he was called to do.

3)As believers we may not see the fulfillment of the Lord's promises for a long, long time. Isaiah waited 12 years to have his prophecy validated and verified. In fact, for many of his prophecies he never even saw them fulfilled in his lifetime.

4)The Lord loved Judah, His people, so much that He warned them about making bad decisions. If we are prepared to listen, I believe He will also warn us against making bad decisions through the Bible, friends and family, and circumstances.

5)Turning to anyone or anything other than God for salvation (physical, spiritual, or emotional) will always result in failure. Political alliances could not save Judah, only the One True God could do that.

6)Those who trust in the Lord will have no reason to fear.

Blessings!

Sources
H.D.M. Spence and Joseph S. Exell (editors). The Pulpit Commentary Volume 10: Isaiah
Philip Yancey and Tim Stafford (notes). The Student Bible. NIV Version