Ashdod Falls to Assyria
Our Father tells Isaiah to take off his sackcloth and sandals and walk stripped and barefoot for three years — a living picture of captives marched away exposed. It is aimed at Judah's confidence in those allies. The coastland asks how it can escape.
20 1The year the commander-in-chief came to Ashdod, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, he fought Ashdod and captured it.
2At that time our Father said through Isaiah son of Amoz, "Loosen the sackcloth from your waist and take the sandals off your feet." He did so, walking stripped and barefoot. 3Then our Father said, "Just as my servant Isaiah has walked stripped and barefoot three years, as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, a a v3 Cush is the ancient name for the region now covered by Sudan and northern Ethiopia. 4so Assyria's king will drive off Egypt's captives and Cush's exiles, young and old, naked, barefoot, buttocks bared—exposing Egypt's shame. 5Then they will be shattered and ashamed because of Cush their hope and Egypt their boast. 6On that day, this coastland's people will say, 'See what came of our hope, where we fled for help, to be rescued from the king of Assyria! How can we escape?'"
