Isaiah — Chapter 20
Synopsis: Isaiah is commanded to walk naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and portent of Egypt's and Ethiopia's shame — captives led naked by Assyria. Those who trusted in Ethiopia and Egypt as allies will be ashamed. The chapter warns Judah not to trust in these alliances.
Verse 2
At that time the Lord spoke by the hand of Isaias the son of Amos, saying: Go, and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and take off thy shoes from thy feet. And he did so, going naked and barefoot. Isaiah's three-year prophetic nakedness: debated whether truly naked or merely in inner garments (Lapide sides with the latter — the prophetic action need not be literally shameful, citing Aquinas and Cajetan). The symbolic meaning: Egypt/Ethiopia's shame = the captives led naked with their buttocks bared by Assyrian conquerors.
Verse 3
Sicut ambulavit servus meus Isaias nudus et discalceatus
As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot — Lapide explains that 'naked' means without outer garment (undergarment retained), like a prisoner of war stripped of outer clothing. The sign predicts Egypt and Ethiopia being led away captive by Assyria, naked and barefoot. The theological point: reliance on Egypt (a major Judean foreign policy option in this era) is futile — their supposed ally will itself be enslaved. Applied to spiritual life: all earthly supports are unstable; God alone is the reliable refuge.
Verse 5
And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their hope, and of Egypt their glory. Judah, who trusted in Ethiopia and Egypt, will be ashamed when these allies are themselves stripped and led captive. The moral: do not put your trust in princes or any human helper whose help is vain (Ps.145).