Does this prophecy of Egypt and Cush affirm the foolishness of trusting in alliances instead of God? Did Christianity spread further than the Coptic Christianity of Egypt and Sudan, and the Orthodox Christianity of Ethiopia, south of the Sahara and across Africa? Let’s look at Isaiah 20.
Did God tell Isaiah to walk around barefoot, stripped to his loin cloth?
In the year when King Sargon of Assyria sent his commander in chief to capture the Philistine city of Ashdod, the Lord told Isaiah son of Amoz, “Take off the burlap you have been wearing, and remove your sandals.” Isaiah did as he was told and walked around naked and barefoot. (Isa 20:1-2 NLT)
Was Isaiah’s nakedness a sign to the people of Egypt, Sudan and northern Ethiopia? Is there a modern application?
Yahweh said, “As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder concerning Egypt and concerning Ethiopia [Cush], so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, and with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. (Isa 20:3-4 WEB)
Who can save Egypt, Cush or Judah on the coast from Assyria, only God?
They will be shattered and shamed because of Cush their hope, and because of Egypt their glory. “On that day, those who live on this coast will say, ‘Look at those in whom we had hoped, to whom we fled for help and rescue from the king of Assyria. How then will we escape?’” (Isa 20:5-6 CEB)
Who was the first from that region to believe in Jesus and be baptized?
An important Ethiopian official happened to be going along that road in his chariot. He was the chief treasurer for Candace, the Queen of Ethiopia. … Then they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. After they had come out of the water, the Lord's Spirit took Philip away. The official never saw him again, but he was very happy as he went on his way. (Acts 8:27b, 38b-39 CEV)
Does this prophecy of Egypt and Cush affirm the foolishness of trusting in alliances instead of God? Did Christianity spread further than the Coptic Christianity of Egypt and Sudan, and the Orthodox Christianity of Ethiopia, south of the Sahara and across Africa? You decide!
