They will inevitably discover that any reliance outside of the LORD will lead to shame.
“Then they will be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and Egypt their boast.” (v.5)
Isaiah was an 8th-century BC prophet who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah during the reigns of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Here in Isaiah 20:5, the prophet depicts a scene of judgment against those who place their trust in worldly powers rather than in the LORD. By stating that people will be “dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and Egypt their boast,” Isaiah underscores the futility of relying on human strength. The armies of these nations may have appeared formidable, but they were powerless in the face of divine sovereignty. This verse also serves as a warning to God’s covenant people, urging them to seek the LORD rather than alliances with distant nations.
The reference to Cush points to a region south of Egypt. In ancient times, Cush was often associated with the land that today corresponds roughly to Sudan, though it sometimes extended into parts of modern Ethiopia. It took its name from Cush, the oldest son of Ham, and is frequently noted in Scripture for its military prowess and geographic importance. Egypt, located immediately to the north of Cush, was one of the most influential empires of the ancient world, renowned for its abundant resources and powerful armies. Despite their reputation for might, both Cush and Egypt would be unable to shield those who placed their hope in them, an outcome vividly illustrated by Isaiah’s prophecy of future disgrace.Beyond its immediate historical context, Isaiah’s message foreshadows a broader biblical truth: when people place their security in the material or political powers of this world, they are bound to discover the limits of those powers. The ultimate hope and refuge for believers is found in God alone, who reigns over all nations. Jesus later reiterated a similar theme, teaching that the wise builder lays his foundation upon the rock of God’s words, not upon shifting sands (Matthew 7:24-27). In Isaiah 20:5, the prophet makes plain that if these nations—Cush and Egypt—collapse against God’s plan, then all who rely on them will experience profound disappointment.
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Isaiah 20:5 meaning
“Then they will be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and Egypt their boast.” (v.5)
Isaiah was an 8th-century BC prophet who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah during the reigns of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Here in Isaiah 20:5, the prophet depicts a scene of judgment against those who place their trust in worldly powers rather than in the LORD. By stating that people will be “dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and Egypt their boast,” Isaiah underscores the futility of relying on human strength. The armies of these nations may have appeared formidable, but they were powerless in the face of divine sovereignty. This verse also serves as a warning to God’s covenant people, urging them to seek the LORD rather than alliances with distant nations.
The reference to Cush points to a region south of Egypt. In ancient times, Cush was often associated with the land that today corresponds roughly to Sudan, though it sometimes extended into parts of modern Ethiopia. It took its name from Cush, the oldest son of Ham, and is frequently noted in Scripture for its military prowess and geographic importance. Egypt, located immediately to the north of Cush, was one of the most influential empires of the ancient world, renowned for its abundant resources and powerful armies. Despite their reputation for might, both Cush and Egypt would be unable to shield those who placed their hope in them, an outcome vividly illustrated by Isaiah’s prophecy of future disgrace.Beyond its immediate historical context, Isaiah’s message foreshadows a broader biblical truth: when people place their security in the material or political powers of this world, they are bound to discover the limits of those powers. The ultimate hope and refuge for believers is found in God alone, who reigns over all nations. Jesus later reiterated a similar theme, teaching that the wise builder lays his foundation upon the rock of God’s words, not upon shifting sands (Matthew 7:24-27). In Isaiah 20:5, the prophet makes plain that if these nations—Cush and Egypt—collapse against God’s plan, then all who rely on them will experience profound disappointment.