Abandoned

     When the time came for Egypt and Cush to show their loyalty to the Jews, they abandoned them.  The thought of fighting Assyria was just too scary for them that they tried to hide.  That is how you know that their beliefs or faith were strictly ritual and not real.  Real faith works through fear.

    King Sargon of Assyria captured Ashdod in the same year that God had spoken with Isaiah.  God had given Isaiah orders on how to dress. It was a drastic change.  He went from the traditional conservative Jew to a man that wore a sackcloth and abandoned his shoes for three years.  He did this to foreshadow what would happen to Egypt and Cush.  It also taught the Jews not to put their trust in people instead of God.  

    People can ignore words or what is written.  However, it is a lot harder to ignore your eyes.  When you want to get a message a cross you have to do more than just say it.  You have to back it up with action.  That is exactly what Isaiah did.  He lived His convictions to the fullest.  

    King Sargon was coming and he would lead Egypt and Cush away.  Before that, he would stripe them and take their shoes.  They would travel in shame, exposed, and barefooted all the way to Egypt.  This would strip any pride that they may have had left.  There was no escape.  There was no hope.  It would have been wise of them not to abandon God's people.

Isaiah 20