Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"And how shall we escape?"
Text: Isaiah 20:6
A VITAL LESSON FOR JUDAH
Judah played dangerous political games. When it was threatened by one country, Judah would seek help from another nation. When Assyria threatened Judah, the nation turned to Egypt and Ethiopia for help.
“Then they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation
and Egypt their glory.
And the inhabitant of this territory will say in that day,
‘Surely such is our expectation,
wherever we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria;
and how shall we escape?'”
Isaiah 20:5-6
1. Judah was in serious trouble.
a) Ethiopia was their “expectation”.
i) That the Ethiopians would be able to come to their rescue.
ii) But Ethiopia was conquered by the Assyrians.
b) Egypt was their “glory”.
i) The Egyptian army was well-reputed.
ii) But they were soundly defeated by the Assyrians.
c) Judah’s dilemma.
i) The nation was now ashamed.
ii) Judah was now afraid of the Assyrians.
2. The desperation and fears of the people of Judah.
a) Expectations confessed:
i) Reliance on Egypt and Ethiopia.
ii) Their trust in these two nations was crushed.
iii) They were afraid of the cruel things that Assyria would do against them.
b) Hoping for escape
i) Judah had relied heavily on Egypt and Ethiopia for deliverance.
ii) They now had no one to deliver them from the Assyrians.
c) Judah had not considered turning to the LORD for help
i) The LORD’s word had been rejected.
ii) The idols worshipped were silent and impotent.
iii) Judah had fallen badly!