View Isaiah 20 in the note window.
The captivity of Egypt and Ethiopia represented, to take off
the Jews from seeking to them for help, ver. 1 - 6
1: Sargon - Sennacherib, who, before he came to Jerusalem,
came up against and took all the walled cities of Judah, of which
Ashdod might be reckoned one, as being in the tribe of Judah.
2: Sackcloth - Which he wore in token of his grief for the calamities
that were already come upon Israel, and were coming upon Judah.
Naked - Not wholly naked, but without his upper garment, as slaves and
prisoners used to do, whose posture he was to represent. Bare - foot - After
the manner of mourners and captives.
3: Three years - Not constantly, but when he went abroad among
the people, to whom this was appointed for a sign. A sign - When this
judgment should come, namely, three years after this prophecy.
4: Uncovered - Having their garments cut off by the middle.
5: They - All that shall trust to them. But under this general
expression the Israelites, seem to be principally intended.
6: Of the country - Of this land, in which the prophet was, and to
whose inhabitants, these words were uttered. Such - So vain is our hope
placed upon such a people as are unable to deliver themselves.
