Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 20

This section includes predictions of judgment against Damascus, Israel, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The scene shifts from the crisis in 734 BC (the alliance of Syria and Israel; see study note on Isaiah 7:1–25) to the Assyrian crisis in 701 BC (see Isaiah 36–37).

See also Jeremiah 46; Ezekiel 29–32.

Ashdod’s reliance on Egypt and Ethiopia was useless. As a complement to his words, Isaiah walked about exposed and barefoot, a symbolic action for what God would do.

• Sargon of Assyria is Sargon II, who ruled from 721 to 705 BC.

• Ashdod was one of the five Philistine cities that rebelled against Assyria in 713 BC.

• Prophets often wore sackcloth or other rough clothing to show mourning for the people's sins (see 2 Kings 1:8; Mark 1:6).

• naked: This means exposed in some way, possibly even completely nude.

This symbolic event happened about three years before Ashdod fell (see Isaiah 20:2). Through this event, Isaiah served as an example for the people (see Isaiah 8:18).

Philistia’s downfall was a warning to the people of Judah, who also relied on Egypt and other alliances rather than on God.