Prophetic Passage of Isaiah 20, Term Paper Example

“Prophets can be found throughout human culture. Prophets are found in cultures as remote from each other as Siberian and Indonesia – even in our own day”. (BBC) Prophets in Bible were not mainly foretellers. When reading a book of Amos at one sitting, it becomes quite clear how little Amos is distressed to predict. Most of his words were addressed to criticize current wrongdoings. Oppression, injustice luxurious worship while poor people starve on the streets are the issues he talks most about. When he looks into the future it is mainly to warn, for instance, if you act this way, God will punish you. When talking about punishment the descriptions tend to vary. In second century BC prophetic books have already began to become canonical and classical. In celebration of heroes of the faith in Ecclesiasticus listed in order appear Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and twelve Minor Prophets. Copies of prophecies of Isaiah and his commentaries on several prophetic books such as Hosea, Isaiah, Nahum, Micah, Habakkuk, were used in Qumran long before the time of Jesus Christ as was a certain phrase “the law and prophets”.

Prophets in Israel were by no means unique and special. Ebla people in the 23^rd century were already using such term as “nabi”. Several official letters from the 18^th century noble Mari archive on Euphrates indeed conveyed prophetic messages to the ruler who was away from home. The behavior of Mari prophets was very similar to Israel’s prophets.

Historical traditions of Israel highlight the importance and significance of prophets in the political life. In the story of rise to power of Saul and the institution of the monarchy, Samuel indeed plays a big role in the decision making and actions. He was also at the front position in the appointment of David. God is here described as David’s seer. Nevertheless, it is the relationship of Nathan to his king that clearly demonstrated the great role of prophet in such matters as building the temple, Bathsheba affair as well as the rebellion of Adonijah when David got old. The criticism and advice of Nathan strongly affect the king.

Early prophets were consulted mainly about the future. However, they never were solely fortune tellers. They had power to curse or bless among others. Such prophets whose names are attached to the biblical books as Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah and others, stand separately due to their stronger influence. Prophets often were found in groups in Israel. They lived and shared activities together. Members of such groups were often referred to as the sons of prophets.

Majority of people view biblical prophets as solely religious figures but it is wrong. Such belief gives separation of religion from the rest of life. In old Israel there was no specific private religious sphere. Prophets also did not only talk about religious matters, they also spoke about what is now called politics. Even prophets who really had a strong duty to correct false religious practice such as Hosea, still were able to address political matters strongly enough.

In order to understand the meaning and significance of each prophet it is essential to take a close look to their books and some specific passages. When analyzing Isaiah 20, it takes us back to 711 BC, to the time when God communicates through Isaiah in “the year that the commander in chief, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it”. (Isaiah 20:1) Among most vivid verses of the passage is Isaiah 20:5 that reads “those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed.” God tells Isaiah to walk barefoot and naked among Jewish people for three years as a sign of warning in order not to make same the same mistake that Ashdod did when he trusted Egyptians for the protection against the occupying Assyrians. The message was that if they do the mistake, they will be definitely defeated and marched barefoot and naked into captivity.

Such sign act as walking around naked is able to communicate the message across to people without them ignoring it. It teaches the central point of message in an interesting and mysterious way. In Chapters 18 and 19 Isaiah includes a passage to interrupt his message about Egypt and Cush. There were some people in Judah who were kin to form alliances with Egypt and Cush in order to prevent the expansionist threats from Assyrians. But graphic sign act of Isaiah in the following chapter vividly demonstrates the folly of relying on someone other than God.

The background of the situation goes to the time when Tartan, commander-in-chief of Assyrian army, captures city of Ashdod in 712-711 BC. Yamani, the anti-Assyrian king of the city, now flees to Egypt. However, when Assyrian army pressures Egyptians, they give Yamani over to Assyria. “These events took place at the same time when Shabaka the Ethiopian solidified his rule over failing Egypt and King of Judah Hezekiah decided not to pay money to Assyrians.” (Quinn-Miscall) It is exactly against this historical backdrop that Lord makes Isaiah to walk barefoot and naked around Judah. The message of Lord means for people not to follow the wicked example of Ashdod. Otherwise, they will be shamed, defeated and taken into captivity.

It is worth mentioning that even though text reads that Isaiah was naked, in reality he still had a tunic or his inner vest which served to show that Egypt must be stripped for the possessions it is making. Isaiah’s very dress was the silent refrain to repentance. This act of the prophet was his only strictly symbolic deed. At the time when Ethiopia and Egypt fall to Assyrians, Jewish people who dream about alliance with defeated nations will be ashamed and dismayed. Jews will indeed lament that there is no escape for them.

Lord’s message to Jewish nation in Isaiah 20, vividly demonstrated by prophet’s act of walking around barefoot and naked, encourages people to fully and openly trust Him. “The Lord said, “It is a sign and a portent for Egypt and Nubia. Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years, so shall the king of Assyria drive off the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Nubia, young and old, naked and barefoot and with bared buttocks — to the shame of Egypt”! (The Daily Chapter) This exact message echoed 2,700 years later when the Hebrews writer urged Jewish Christians not to come back to Old Covenant practices but to trust in Christ and his work. Just the same way Jews of Isaiah will watch Ethiopians and Egyptians be taken into captivity by Assyrians and question “How shall we escape?” same the writer of Hebrews suggests Christians to stay faithful to Christ.

Isaiah’s name means “Lord is salvation”. His teachings and life declare the message of Jesus Christ and the way salvation is provided to people. Isaiah was among the greatest prophets due to the fact that he very powerfully and strongly testified of Christ and all the work He did on earth to save people. Savior Himself assured of Isaiah’s importance when during his visit to Nephites, He commanded them to look diligently into the words of the prophet. God said that the words of Isaiah are great.

Works Cited

Isaiah 20:1, Isaiah 20:5. Bible. http://bibleresources.bible.com/keywordsearchresults. php?keyword=Isaiah&multiplemethod=all&version1=9&numpageresults=25&sortorder=bookorder

Joyce, Paul. BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/history/isaiah_1.shtml

Quinn-Miscall, Peter. Reading Isaiah: Poetry and vision. Westminster John Knox Press: 2001

The Daily Chapter. http://thedailychapter.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/isaiah-20-%E2%80%9Cthe-shame-of-egypt-and-ethiopia%E2%80%9D/