Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Isaiah heeds God’s command and goes naked and barefoot for three years. This act portends the way in which the Egyptians and Ethiopians will be sent away naked and barefoot by the Assyrians.
II. Photo
Isaiah listens to God: “Previously, the Lord had spoken to Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, ‘Go, untie the sackcloth from your loins and take your sandals off your feet,’ which he had done, going naked and barefoot.” (v. 2)
III. Important Verses
2-4: Previously, the LORD had spoken to Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go, untie the sackcloth from your loins and take your sandals off your feet,” which he had done, going naked and barefoot. And now the LORD said, “It is a sign and a portent for Egypt and Nubia. Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years, so shall the king of Assyria drive off the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Nubia, young and old, naked and barefoot and with bared buttocks — to the shame of Egypt!
6: In that day, the dwellers of this coastland shall say, ‘If this could happen to those we looked to, to whom we fled for help and rescue from the king of Assyria, how can we ourselves escape?’”
IV. Outline
1. Historical note
2. God tells Isaiah to strip himself of his clothes
3-5. The Egyptians and Ethiopians will be sent off naked by the Assyrians
6. The coastal people will realize the futility of relying on Egypt
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Blenkinsopp, Joseph. “Isaiah 1-39” The Anchor Bible vol. 19 (New York: Doubleday, 2000).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Sweeney, Marvin A. “Isaiah 1-39 with an Introduction to Prophetic Literature” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 16 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 1996).
Photo taken from http://www.lifecoach-for-your-success.com/images/Feet_walking_.jpg
