Why did Isaiah preach naked (Isaiah 20:1–4)?

Answer

Isaiah 20 is one of the shortest chapters in the Bible, and it is particularly notable for the peculiarity of God instructing Isaiah to be unclothed while prophesying about Egypt and Ethiopia (Cush). But why did Isaiah preach naked (Isaiah 20:1-4)?

Isaiah’s prophecies were not solely about God’s judgment and restoration for the nation of Israel. Isaiah also addressed other nations, including Egypt. Isaiah 19:1–15 describes Egypt’s idolatry and the impending judgment that a mighty king would bring upon them “And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them,” says the Lord, the LORD of hosts, (Isaiah 19:4). Egypt had worshipped other gods and followed their own wisdom, but even in condemning this wickedness, God would demonstrate grace and mercy. God would send a savior to Egypt “And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them,” (Isaiah 19:20), and Egypt would be rescued. One day, Egypt would acknowledge and worship the Lord “And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it,” (Isaiah 19:21). While judgment would indeed come “And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them,” (Isaiah 19:22).

In 711 BC, God spoke through Isaiah in (Isaiah 20:1-2). While Isaiah typically delivered verbal messages, on this occasion, God instructed him to provide a visual demonstration: “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet” «at the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. », as recorded in (Isaiah 20:2, ESV). According to Isaiah 20:3, Isaiah preached naked or nearly naked (possibly wearing a loin cloth) and barefoot for three years as a sign to Egypt and Cush (Ethiopia). These nations would be captured by Assyria, humiliated and stripped «so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. », as described in (Isaiah 20:4). Those relying on Egypt (including Israel) were to turn to God for deliverance instead. Isaiah’s unconventional preaching visually emphasized that Egypt was not a source of salvation. It served as a call for Israel to trust in God and warned Egypt of impending judgment for their prideful idolatry. In 701 BC, Egypt fell to Assyria at Eltekah, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. Judgment was delivered, but God promised a savior and future restoration.

Isaiah’s naked preaching serves as a reminder of God’s patience and grace. God’s actions were not without purpose.To warn the people of Egypt, God allowed them three years of warning so that individuals could prepare and turn to the Lord. Additionally, God did not need to demonstrate to Israel once again that other nations could not deliver them, but He repeatedly taught them this lesson. God desired Israel to rely on Him and depend on Him, not on other peoples.

We witness God’s patience and grace in our own lives as well. Although Isaiah’s unconventional method of preaching was not in our era, it illustrates God’s concern for humanity and His use of various methods to convey His message. The ultimate form of God’s communication is through His Son— the Savior in whom we can trust for our deliverance (Hebrews 1:1-2). God has clearly revealed His love and path to deliverance to us in Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). It should not require Isaiah preaching naked for us to comprehend this and trust in Him.