Isaiah 20
The LORD instructed Isaiah to walk around stripped and barefoot for three years as a sign against Egypt and Cush, symbolizing the humiliation they would face at the hands of the king of Assyria. The Assyrians would lead Egyptian and Cushite captives away, exposing their buttocks, bringing shame to Egypt. Those who relied on Egypt for help would be afraid and put to shame, realizing they could not escape the Assyrian king. This event would serve as a warning to those who trusted in Egypt for deliverance.
1In the year that the supreme commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it-2at that time the LORD spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him, "Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet." And he did so, going around stripped and barefoot.3Then the LORD said, "Just as my servant Isaiah has gone stripped and barefoot for three years, as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush,4so the king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles, young and old, with buttocks bared-to Egypt's shame.5Those who trusted in Cush and boasted in Egypt will be afraid and put to shame.6In that day the people who live on this coast will say, 'See what has happened to those we relied on, those we fled to for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?'"
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