Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 20

Verse 1

CONTENTS

In this chapter, the prophet becomes a type, as well as a preacher. The Lord, is pleased to make his servant Isaiah by this means, instruct the church, concerning Egypt and Ethiopia.

Verses 1-2

It is probable that this event of Tartar's taking Ashdod, formed an epoch in history, so remarkable, that the year needed not to be recorded. And no doubt that the prophet's going about bare-foot, and without his garment of sackcloth, which he usually wore, made the time also memorable. Isaiah it should seem, while he wore sackcloth, thus preached, by the poverty and mournfulness of his apparel, as well as by his words. But the Lord, his master, will have him now proclaim his truths by type, as well as by preaching. Happy are those servants of the Lord in all ages, whose lives and discourses both tend to glorify God in Christ.

Verses 3-6

It was gracious in the Lord, to explain the meaning of this typical representation, that no misapplication might be made of it. And while the lesson tended to humble both nations, Egypt and Ethiopia, as the Lord designed it; the Lord's mercy to his people Israel, was the more signally displayed. Surely Israel might learn therefrom, how unsuitable an arm of flesh must be to support them, when a whole nation was thus led into captivity itself. Reader! the same lesson is in force even now; whew shall we look for aid in the hour of necessity, but to the Lord our righteousness? Truly in vain, saith the prophet, is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains; truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel; Jeremiah 3:23 .

Verse 6

REFLECTIONS

READER! art thou struck with the view of the Prophet becoming a type, as well as a preacher and a prophet in the church of the Lord; and no doubt in the three years walk through the streets of the people, made thereby the drunkard's song, and the sport and derision of the profane; and will it not lead thee to contemplate Him in his unequalled humbleness and meekness of deportment, who, though Lord of life and glory, went about the streets of Jerusalem, in the garb of a poor Jew, despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief? Precious Jesus! how do all thy servants sink to nothing, compared to thee; pre-eminent in humility, as pre-eminent in nature, in office, and in character! Thou wert indeed the sum and substance of every type; and the one great end and purpose of both sacrifice, prophecy, and ordinance. With what unwearied zeal for thy Father's honour, and with unabating love to thy church's salvation, didst thou endure such a contradiction of sinners against thyself! And how didst thou, when reviled, revile not again, but committed thyself to him who judgeth rightly! Lamb of God! keep the eyes of thy redeemed stedfastly fixed on thee; and in every exercise of life, may thy servants hear the sweet voice of consolation, arising out of thy bright example, made perfect through suffering: Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.