How then Can We Escape?

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

How then Can We Escape?

Date: Jun. 10, 2022

Passage

Isaiah 20:1-6 (ESV)

1 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—2 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.

3 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, 4 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. 5 Then they shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and of Egypt their boast. 6 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?’”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 20:6

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?’”

In Isaiah’s time, Assyria was a powerful nation. The Assyrians were bent on conquest. In fear, some surrounding nations, including Israel, allied themselves with Egypt and Cush hoping that Egypt and Cush could keep Assyria at bay.

Sargon, the king of Assyria, sent his armies and attacked and captured Ashdod. Ashdod had depended on Egypt. Egypt could not save Ashdod. Then the LORD told Isaiah to take off his sackcloth and sandals and to go around stripped and naked. The prophet surely felt humiliated by going around like this for three years, but God had a purpose. Isaiah served as a sign. As Isaiah went about stripped and barefoot, so the king of Assyria would lead Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles away stripped and barefoot—to Egypt’s great shame! People would realize that relying on the Egyptians, even though they seemed able, would not save them from Assyria. This was a warning to the people of Israel and Judah that depending on others could not save them. Only the LORD their God could save them.

We are tempted to rely on other people, things, or even ourselves. But no matter what our present situation, may we depend on God today.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you that we can depend on you for victory in all circumstances.

One Word: One Word: Trust in God more than people.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

Acts 5:1-16

Key Verse: 5:3

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?

Today's Question

Did our first parents remain as they were created?

See answer and references