Part 1

God asks his prophets to say and do specific missions for Him.

The prophet, Isaiah, walked naked for 3 years as commanded by the Lord to show Israel a sign.

“In the year that the commander in chief, who was sent by Sargon the king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and captured it— at that time the Lord spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet,” and he did so, walking naked and barefoot.” Isaiah‬ ‭20‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭

God sends Isaiah to intervene in Israel’s situation. At this time Israel had aligned with Egypt and Cush but God does not want them aligned with anyone but Him.

Isaiah is noted here as the son of Amoz to indicate the honor brought to his family name by obeying the Lord.

”Then the Lord said, “As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush, so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptian captives and the Cushite exiles, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt. Then they shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and of Egypt their boast.“ Isaiah‬ ‭20‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭

Israel’s allies were not strong enough to save them. Trust God alone.

We do not put our hope in anything other than God. 

Jesus alone saves. 

Isaiah did not question God’s unusual and mysterious tactics in this prophetic word. He obeyed. God says He sent Isaiah as a “portent” against Egypt and Cush. The word “Portent” has two definitions. 1) A sign or omen something bad is going to happen. 2) A wonderful or exceptional person. Thus, by walking around naked for 3 years as commanded by God, Isaiah shows Israel what will happen to the allies they trust in, and while doing so, shows himself to be a wonderful and exceptional man in the eyes of God.

God uses Isaiah to draw Israel back to Him, yet again. This is God’s constant posture of love and pursuit towards Israel in the book of Isaiah.

God will do anything to win back His people to love and loyalty.