Isaiah 20:1-6; ; Isaiah 21:1-10
Ch. 20 completes "the burden of Egypt". By walking naked and barefoot, the prophet announces the mournful journey of the Egyptian and Ethiopian prisoners deported by the king of Assyria who specialised in these population movements. Then Israel (the inhabitant of that coast) will see, with fear and dismay, how futile it was to rely upon Pharaoh’s nation for deliverance from the formidable Assyrian (Psalms 60:11).
Ch. 21 begins with "the burden of the desert of the sea . . ." (21:1). Once more it involves Babylon. During what she calls "the night of my pleasure", the Medes and Persians (Elam) have brutally ended her empire and abundant wealth (v. 4; see Daniel 5:28-31). But this prophecy has a future application like the one in Isaiah 13:1-22 (Luke 21:35).
In 21:6 the prophet is called to set a watchman. His instructions: to listen carefully and shout! The watchman in an army occupies a position of trust. His responsibility is immense. Two duties rest upon him: watch and warn (see Ezekiel 3:17-18 and as a contrast Isaiah 56:10). Every believer has these responsibilities! Are we faithful in carrying them out as regards the men of this world and our brethren?