Vs. 1-2 - These two verses are hard to
understand, but we get help from Matthew 4:13-16. It becomes clear that Jesus
comes and provides light in a land that had experienced much darkness. Jesus
not only provides the light, he is indeed the Light.
The end of verse two may refer to
the light given to those in Spirit Prison.
Vs. 3 - Multiplying the nation has apparent
reference to Covenant of Abraham and his innumerable posterity.
Isaiah
compares the joy of the harvest to the joy of the mission of the Savior. The
"not" is not in the Book of Mormon or the RSV.
In verses 4, 5, & 6 are
reasons for rejoicing from vs. 3.
Vs. 4-5 - These verses refer principally to
the millennial reign of the Savior and his ending the war and strife.
Vs.
6 - Scholars, who say you can't see the future say Hezekiah is the fulfillment
of this verse. He is certainly a humble type
The
Hebrew requires that Wonderful Counselor be read together. Christ is the
everlasting father in at least four ways; 1) World Creator-(Mosiah 3:8; 2)
Father of Resurrection- (Mosiah 15:8; 3) Father of our Spiritual Re-birth
(Mosiah 5:7); and 4) Representative of Father (3 Nephi 11:36).
Vs.
7 - Christ ruling over the throne of David is prophesied in 2 Samuel 7:12-13.
The
rest of this chapter is a warning against the Northern Tribes of Israel. It
should also serve as a warning to modern day Israel as it foretells the
destructions accompanying the 2nd coming of the Savior.
19:8-10:4 is subdivided into 4 sections. Each
section proclaims and evil, has a warning and ends with the poetic refrain,
“His arm is stretched out still.”
8-12 deals with pride 13-17 with evil leaders 18-21 talks about a lack of concern
for others
20:1-4
is about social
injustice
Vs. 9 - declares their pride. Ephraim is
the leader of the north and Samaria is
the capital city.
Vs. 10 - They mock the prophecies of
destruction, saying they will just rebuild with better stuff
Vs. 11 - Rezin is the king of Syria, a
former ally of Israel. The message is that all will turn against Israel.
Vs. 12 - Israel suffered greatly from the
Syrians on the East and the Philistines on the West. (See 1 Kings 20; 22; 2
Kings 6-8.
Vs. 14 - head=government leaders;
tail=false prophets; branch=leaders; rush or reed=followers (see verse 15)
Vs. 15 - The word "honorable is not
in the Book of Mormon account.
Vs. 16- Is this true today?
Vs. 17 - The Lord would have to be sad
when even the poor people are wicked and not deserving of his help. But, his
arm is stretched out still. I don’t think this is referring to his arm of
destruction, but his arm of salvation.
Vs. 18 - the wicked are here compared to
worthless weeds
Vs. 19-20 - when a man doesn’t even spare his
brother, we can know that things have bottomed out. The reference to
cannibalism was fulfilled anciently in Jeremiah 19:9 and possible again before
the 2nd coming.
Vs. 21- Manasseh and Ephraim represent the
northern tribes. It appears that they will not only unite against Judah, but
will be warring against themselves.
