ISAIAH 11 (2 NEPHI
21)
Isaiah 11 was quoted by Moroni to Joseph
Smith in September 1823. He told Joseph it was about to be fulfilled. This chapter is referenced in all four
standard works. Besides the Old Testament and Book of Mormon accounts, portions
are found in Revelation 2:16(11:4); 5:5 (11:10); 19:15 (11:4)and in Romans
15:12 (11:1). In the Doctrine and Covenants 19:15 (11:4); 113:1-6 and 133:26-29
(11:16). Also in the Pearl of Great Price, JSH 1:40. Additionally, the prophet
Joseph Smith gave additional commentary as seen in TPJS p. 14-15 (gathering),
71 (vs. 7-8), 93 (gathering), 316 (vs. 6-9). This chapter talks about events
leading up to and during the Millennium. D&C 113 contains the Lord’s
commentary on this chapter.
Vs.
1 - The discussion of the tree 1. rod
or branch (khoter)=Joseph Smith 2. stem or trunk of Jesse=Jesus; 3. Branch or shoot (netzer); 4. Roots=Joseph Smith khoter and netzer can be used
interchangeably, though in this case
khoter is a branch or shoot from the trunk whereas netzer is a shoot
from the root system. This is a continuation of the prophecy regarding the
cutting down of the forest from the previous two verses. (Isaiah 10:33-34). The stump of Jesse is Jesus. (See D&C 113:1-2) The message is that
after the branches have been cut out (20:33-34) all that is left is the stump
and/or the roots. The olive tree is one of the few trees that can have
apparently dead branches and even a dead trunk and still produce, Sometime
later, new life from the root. From that life-giving stump comes a shoot who is
partly a descendant of Jesse (King David’s father) and partly from Joseph. That
rod may be Joseph Smith or another prophet yet to come. The life-giving roots
are part of the stump, that is Jesus Christ. The branch is also Jesus (see Jeremiah
23:5) Bruce R. McConkie, “A New Witness for the Articles of Faith” p. 518.
The
Hebrew netzer=branch and the Hebrew nozri=Nazarene come from the same root. See
Matt. 2:23
Vs.
2-5 - all refer to the Savior.
Vs.
2 - the fear mentioned is synonymous with respect and reverence.
Vs.
3 - Jesus does not have to judge only based upon what he sees and hears.
Vs.
5 - This verse could end with “faithfulness the sash around his waist. Reins
are kidneys. In Biblical times the kidneys were considered the seat of our
feelings or affections. Loins symbolize the creative powers.
Vs.
6-10 talk of conditions during the Millennium.
Vs.
6 - “ Six animals are listed (not counting the fatling, see below); three are
wild carnivores (wolf, leopard, lion) that feed on the three tame animals
(lamb, kid, calf), The wild animals, which are ferocious, aggressive, and
vicious, are a threat to mankind; the tame animals are docile, submissive, and
useful to man. This passage may be taken literally; or the wolf, leopard, land
lion may represent those who foment war and murder; the lamb, kid, and calf may
symbolize meek and peaceful people.
VS.
9 - "There will be no place of ignorance, no place of darkness, no place
for those thata will not serve God. Why/ Because Jesus will be himself on the
earth, and his holy angels will be on the earth and all the resurrected Saints
that have died in former dispensations will all come forth, and they will be on
the earth. What a happy earth this creation will be." (Orson Pratt, JD
21:324-25)
The KJV translation of fatling is probably
incorrect. The Jerusalem Bible suggests “calf and lion cub feed together,”
replacing fatling with the verb feed.” (Parry, Understanding
Revelation, p. 119.)
Vs.
10 - The root of Jesse appears to Joseph Smith, see D&C 113:5-6
Vs.
11-16 are about our day and the gathering of Israel. It will be with the keys
of the gathering restored by Moses (see D&C 110) and will accomplish a
Moses like gathering of God’s people.
Vs.
11 - The first time was Moses. The 2nd time began with the
restoration of the gospel. The nations listed represent all the people of the
world.
Vs.
13 - The separation which began with the death of Solomon will come to an end.
Vs.
14 - The Shoulders of the Philistines represent the Gentiles helping in the
gathering of Israel.
“Seven hundred years before the birth of
the Savior, the Prophet Isaiah, looking down the vista of time, saw the
Latter-day gathering of the scattered House of Israel, and said concerning
them; ‘They shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the West.’
We recognize the fulfillment of that prophecy in the founding of this Church by
Joseph Smith, a lineal descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who thus lifted
the Ensign for the gathering of their descendants from their long dispersion
among the nations. But a part of the fulfillment rests with Gentiles. Their
steamships, their railroads, their means of rapid transit and
communication-these are ‘the shoulders of the Philistines,’ upon which the
children of Ephraim have been and are being brought to the West, to the land of
Zion, where the New Jerusalem is to rise, where the pure in heart will
assemble, and the necessary preparation be made for the coming of the Lord in
his glory. God works outside as well as inside his Church, and uses big things
and little things for the accomplishment of his purposes.” (Orson F. Whitney,
CR, Oct. 1919, p. 69. Also in BOM Student Manual, p. 34)
The countries listed represent enemies of
the Jews in Isaiah’s day and those who fight against Zion in our day.
Vs.
15 - The tongue of the Egyptian could be translated the gulf of the Egyptian
Sea. LDS scholars are not in agreement about this passage. (See 2 Nephi 25:7)
It may be a metaphor comparing how the Lord saved Moses people with how he will
gather Israel in our day. (See Brewster p. 118.) Seven Streams. The Living
Bible translation provides a possible interpretation: "The Lord will wave
his hand over the Euphrates, sending a mighty wind to divide it into 7 streams
that can easily be crossed. (Parry p. 124) See footnote 15b.
Vs.
16 - The highway may be a literal road for the return of Israel or it may be a
“highway of holiness” a strait and narrow path used only by the righteous. (See
D&C 133:27)
Isaiah 12 (2 NEPHI
22)
This is a nice little chapter consisting of
two psalms that we will apparently sing in the Millennium. (and in that day) The
first is verses 1-3 and the second, 4-6.
Vs.
2 - Jehovah is the premortal name of the Savior. The usual rendering of this
name in the Old Testament is LORD. Read “Adonai” in Hebrew. There are only four
times in the Old Testament where the KJV scholars used the word Jehovah.
(Isaiah 12:2; 26:4; Exodus 6:3 and Psalm 83:18)
“Salvation”
appears twice in this verse. The Lectures of Faith definition of salvation is,
“Salvation consists in gaining the glory, authority, majesty, power and
dominion which Jehovah possesses and in nothing else; and no being can possess
it but himself or one like him.” (Lectures of Faith, 76.)
Vs.
3 - An invitation to accept the gospel of the “Living Water.”
“In
part, the expression “wells of salvation” refers to the great privilege the
righteous have to partake of the blessings connected with the First and Second
Comforters (John 7:38-39; 14:16-26; D&C 88:3-4), but more fully the
expression pertains to those who will receive exaltation in the celestial
kingdom and will drink eternally from the wells of salvation. (Parry, p. 128)
Vs.
5 - Singing is an important part of worship in all dispensations.
Vs.
6 - The terms “cry out,” “shout,” “inhabitant” and “thee” are feminine forms in
the Hebrew and represent Christ’s bride, the Church. Having the “Holy One of
Israel” in our midst will be the high light of the millennium.
