Isaiah goes naked and barefoot for three years as a sign that the king of Assyria will lead away Egypt and Cush as captives, showing that trusting in them is futile.
1 In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod ,(when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod , and took it;
2 At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz , saying , Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins , and put off thy shoe from thy foot . And he did so , walking naked and barefoot .
3 And the LORD said , Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia ;
4 So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners , and the Ethiopians captives , young and old , naked and barefoot , even with their buttocks uncovered , to the shame of Egypt .
5 And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation , and of Egypt their glory .
6 And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day , Behold, such is our expectation , whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria : and how shall we escape ?