Isaiah 20 · Grade 4
Don't Trust in Egypt
Read and Think
Isaiah 20 is dated to "the year that Tartan came to Ashdod." Sargon king of Assyria sent his commander to capture this city. Many small nations hoped Egypt and Ethiopia would save them from Assyria.
God gave Isaiah a hard assignment: "loosen the sackcloth from off your waist, and take your sandals from off your feet." Isaiah obeyed and walked barefoot for three years. This acted message was "a sign and a wonder concerning Egypt and concerning Ethiopia."
The meaning was clear: the king of Assyria would lead away the captives of Egypt and Ethiopia. Those who looked to Egypt would be "dismayed and confounded." The coastland people would cry, "Behold, this is our expectation." Trusting powerful nations instead of God would leave them with no escape.
Show What You Know
Who sent Tartan to capture Ashdod?
What did God tell Isaiah to remove?
What was Isaiah's three-year walk a sign concerning?
How would people who trusted Egypt feel?
Think About It
Isaiah obeyed a strange and hard command for three years. What is something hard God is asking you to obey?
People trusted Egypt instead of God. What do people today trust for safety, and why is God better?
Memory Verse
“They will be dismayed and confounded, because of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.”
Isaiah 20:5 (WEB)
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Prayer
Dear God, thank You for speaking through Your servants. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- What city did Assyria capture?
- Ashdod fell even though it had friends to help. When do you lean on people more than on God?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.