Translation: ESV
In the year that the commander in chief, who was sent by Sargon the king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and captured it—
Prophecy is connected to specific historical events, and God speaks through actual history.
▸A historical date is given.
A historical date is given. Sargon II of Assyria conquered Ashdod in 711 BC. This is the historical background of Isaiah's prophetic act.
at that time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, "Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet," and he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
The prophet delivers God's message not only in words but through his entire life, and at times the cost is very great.
▸Isaiah is given the command to remove the sackcloth and walk barefoot.
Then the LORD said, "As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush,
Delivering God's message sometimes requires testimony through the prophet's entire life.
▸It is declared that Isaiah walking naked and barefoot for three years is a sign regarding Egypt and Cush.
so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptian captives and the Cushite exiles, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt.
Trusting in human great powers ultimately ends in shame and disappointment.
▸The content that Isaiah's action points to is revealed.
Then they shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and of Egypt their boast.
Trusting in human great powers means being shamed along with them when those nations fall.
▸When Egypt and Cush—who Judah had hoped in—come to shame, those who depended on them will also be dismayed and ashamed.
And the inhabitants of this coastland will say in that day, 'Behold, this is what has happened to those in whom we hoped and to whom we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria! And we, how shall we escape?'"
When all human refuges collapse, it is revealed that God alone is the true refuge.
▸The coastland inhabitants (peoples of the Palestinian region) ask in despair.