ISAIAH 7 (2 NEPHI 17)

Perhaps the main message of this chapter is that we must trust in the Lord in spite of the threats of mortals. What an important message for our day!

“The prophecy in this section was delivered on the occasion of Isaiah’s first interview with wicked King Ahaz (ruled 734-715 BC), after the first alarm had reached Jerusalem that invasion was imminent by the combined forces of Israel and Syria. (734 BC) The king was apparently supervising the measures being taken to ensure a water supply for the city in the event of a siege, when Isaiah received the command to go with his son Shearjashub.

Rezin king of Syria and Pekah king of Israel tried to persuade Ahaz king of Judah to ally with them against Assyria, their neighboring superpower. Meanwhile, Isaiah pleaded with Ahaz to trust the Lord for deliverance from the invading armies. Ahaz rejected Isaiah’s spiritual counsel and won the support of Tiglathpilesar III, king of Assyria, who in 732 B.C. invaded the Northern Kingdom of Israel and captured many cities (2 Kings 15:29; 16:7-9). Because Ahaz rejected Isaiah’s plan, the armies of Rezin and Pekah invaded Judah, slew 125,000 warriors, and carried away some 200,000 women and children. Judah was slaughtered, because, in part, of the great sins of her king and people”. 2 CHR. 28:6-15 (Parry, p. 68-69.)

For historical background read 2 Kings 15:27-17:24

Vs. 1 - Ahaz-(short for Jehoahaz=Jehovah was held) King of Judah (735-715 BC) Son of Jotham and father of Hezekiah. Wicked- burned children in the fire (2 Chron. 28:3)

Rezin- King of Syria. Together with Pekah rebelled vs. Assyria. Killed in battle with Assyria. (2 Kings 16:7-9)

Pekah- King of Israel. Son of Remaliah. Rebelled vs., overthrew and assassinated Pekahiah (King of Israel) Reined for about 5 years (737-732 BC). Was assassinated by Hoshea.(not the prophet) who was king when Israel was taken into bondage by Assyria. (Lost 10 tribes) There has already been a preliminary attack of Judah when this chapter takes place.

Vs. 2 - Judah is scared of this confederation. Ephraim is the most dominant or leader of the northern tribes of Israel.

Vs. 3 - Shearjashub’s name means a remnant shall return. There is a message of hope in his name. The king may have been checking the water supply in anticipation of the upcoming war. Fullers were those who cleansed and whitened garments in large tubs.

Vs. 4 - Isn't this the message of prophets today? Don't worry-be happy! A firebrand is smoldering wood or a torch. The Lord calls those kings, torches whose flames are gone out.

Vs. 5, 6, 7 - Those two kings have a plan to dethrone Ahaz and put the son of Tabeal (god is good-unknown) in his stead. Their plan will not fly.

Vs. 8 - Israel being taken captive into Assyria happened within a dozen years, but the tribes becoming totally lost apparently was to happen within 65 years. (Samaritans)

Vs. 9 - Bad things loom for Israel but Ahaz’s disbelief will lead to the end of his dynasty (shall not be established).

Vs. 10-12 - Ahaz refuses to ask for a sign, either because of a lack of faith or because he had already put his trust in Assyria. D&C 63:9-10 says that signs come by the will of God-not man. Ahaz quotes a little scripture: Dt. 6:16.

Vs. 13 - Isaiah says, "baloney"

Vs. 14 - The point is that even if Ahaz wouldn’t do what he was supposed to do and the people were taken into captivity, the Lord would still come! This is a great example of Dualism in the fulfillment of prophecy. Isaiah’s wife, who as a symbol of the Virgin Mary, would conceive and have a son who would be a type of the Savior. When the Savior comes then Immanuel = God is with us. VS. 14 - See Matt. 1:23-25;I Ne. 11:13-21; Alma 7:10. "The term virgin describes both one who is physically untouched and one who is pure and undefiled by the world. Isaiah's wife was a virgin in the latter sense, and Mary, Jesus' mother, was a virgin in both senses. the Hebrew word al'mah (despite some arguments to the contrary) does indeed mean "virgin." (Parry p. 75)

Vs. 15 - Butter and honey are symbolic foods of a humble people.

Vs. 16-25 contain the word of the Lord concerning contemporary events.

Vs. 16 - Before Mahershalalhashbaz (if he was the above mentioned son) would arrive at the age of accountability those kings and their people would be captured by Assyria. (2 Kings 15:29-30; 16:9). Fulfillment - Syria & Israel were plundered, and both Pekah and Rezin were killed within 3 years.

Vs. 17 - Bad things lie ahead. Fulfillment: Sennacherib (Assyrian King) would lay siege to Judah & Jerusalem in 701 BC.

Vs. 18,19 - Judah was a bone of contention between Egypt (the fly, zebub), and Assyria (the bee, dvoray); they would swarm all over Israel. An attacking bee can sting, and a fly can carry plague. (Ogden p. 201) You won't be able to hide!

Vs. 20 - Isaiah used a metaphor teaching that God would use Assyria to chastise his people. Ahaz bribed the Assyrians to destroy his enemies, Syrian and Israel. God will use that same instrument (Assyria) to punish Judah. Shaving captives is to humiliate them. Shaving the beard is worse for Israelites (2 Sam. 10:4-5). The hair of the feet = the hair of the legs, a euphemism for the genital area. (Ogden p. 201)

Vs. 21 - Poverty, no crops, no big herds.

Vs. 22 - no crops, just dairy and honey from bees.

Vs. 23 - destroyed vineyards (big ones)

Vs. 24 - no crops so hunters will be necessary

Vs. 25 - mattock=hoe - Another reference to grazing animals replacing crops. It speaks of a time when there will not be cities and civilization, but herdsmen of lesser cattle, i.e., sheep or goats.

 

Country	Judah	Syria	Israel
Capital City	Jerusalem	Damascus	Samaria
Territory or Tribe	Judah	Aram	Ephraim
Leader	Ahaz, son of Jotham, of the house of David	Rezin	Pekah, son of Remaliah

 

 

Isaiah 6 (2 Nephi 16)

More footnotes in Isaiah than any other book of scripture.

 

This chapter is Isaiah’s call to the ministry. It reminds us of other calls to the ministry including: Moses in Moses 1; Amos in Amos 7:1-9; Ezekiel in Ezekiel 1; John in Revelation 1:10-19, Lehi in 1 Nephi 1:6-11,  and Joseph Smith in JSH, D&C 76,110. It is interesting that both Isaiah and Joseph Smith did not begin their histories with the beginning of their calls by the Lord.

 

Vs. 1 - King Uzziah died in 740 BC after a 52 yr. reign which began when he was 16. He was fairly righteous, but got leprosy when he burned incense in the temple w/out the priesthood.

cross reference with Revelation 4:2-11-John's vision of heaven

Train=Hems or skirts

Vs. 2 - Seraphim is the plural of seraph which comes from the Hebrew “sarap” which means to burn. They are attendants in Jehovah’s court, the ministers of the heavenly sanctuary, joining in adoration before the throne. They appear similar to those seen by John in Rev. 4:8 and Ezekiel in Ezekiel 1:9-11. D&C 77:4 seems to indicate that the wings are not literal but are a representation of their ability to move, to act, etc.

The seraphim may have covered their faces to protect themselves from the glory of God.

Vs. 3 - Holy, holy, holy are only used in reference to God. He is the holiest of holies.

Vs. 4 -   That there is a door into the presence of God is often mentioned in scripture. (John 10; 2 Nephi 9:41; Isaiah 22:22.

The presence of smoke was symbolic of the presence and glory of God (See Ex. 19:18; Rev. 15:8.) Prayer also represents prayer ascending into heaven, especially when it comes from the altar of incense. See also TPJS p. 367 where the Prophet talks about God living in everlasting burnings.

Vs. 5 - Prophets never seem to feel prepared or worthy of their callings. (See Moses 6:31; Spencer W. Kimball). The KJV word translated "undone" is better translated from Hebrew as "cut off" or "destroyed"

Isaiah was not only aware of his own imperfections, but also of his environment being a bad influence upon him. (He may have been watching some PG-13 movies and heard language he didn't want to hear.)

Vs. 6 - The burning coal from the altar of sacrifice outside the temple or the altar of incense inside the temple represents the Holy Ghost who is able to purify us because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Vs. 7 - Isaiah is now able to use his cleaned mouth and lips to share his testimony of the Savior. All of us need that cleansing power so we can serve the Lord.

Vs. 8 - As Isaiah accepts the call to serve, he becomes a type of the Savior and a fellow citizen with other prophets. (See Abraham 3:27; Gen. 22:1; Exodus 3:4; I Samuel 3:4-8).  Who will go for US?

Vs. 9 - The Lord made reference to this passage when he was asked why he taught in Parables in Matt. 13:10-17. See also JST Matt. 13:12. Also Luke 8:10.

              "Ye certainly hear, but do not understand, ye certainly see, but do not acknowledge. Seeing this is the case, make the heart of this people fat-declare it to be stupid and senseless, and remove from them the means of salvation, which they have so long abused." (Adam Clarke, The Holy Bible with a Commentary and Critical Notes 4:50)

Vs. 10 - Heart of the people fat. Matt: 13:15 calls their hearts gross. It refers to hard hearted or insensitive. (This verse is a chiasm-Ogden)

Heavy ears are those that will not hear and therefore will not understand. See Acts 28:27

Vs. 11- How long will it be until people will all repent and the Lord answers that the problem will continue as long as the earth is in its current status. This same period of time represents how long Isaiah's words will have relevance.

Vs. 12 - refers to deporting people to other lands as was the custom of the Assyrians and the Babylonians.

Vs. 13 - 1/10 refers to the Lord’s portion or to a small portion who will return.

This verse records the prophecy that the house of Israel would survive the coming devastation as does a tree that is stripped of its leaves in winter but still remains alive. (OTSM p. 144). Once again the word of the Lord ends with a promise of the ultimate triumph of God and His people!

 2 Nephi 11:2-3 - Jacob and Nephi have their witnesses added to Isaiah's, all having seen God.

 Who else has seen God and how do their witnesses  compare with Isaiah's.

WHO?	WHERE?	HOW?
ISAIAH	Isaiah 6:1-2	Sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
AMOS	Amos 9:1	Standing upon the altar.
JOSEPH & OLIVER	D&C 110:2	He stood upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us, and under his feed was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.
MOSES, AARON & 70 ELDERS	Exodus 24:9-11	There was under his feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone and as it were the body of heaven in His cleanness.
JOSEPH SMITH	JSH 1:17	I saw 2 personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air.
STEPHEN	Acts 7:55-6	...and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened...
JOSEPH & SIDNEY	D&C 76:20-23	We beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father...
MOSES	Moses 1:31	The glory of the Lord was upon Moses, so that Moses stood in the presence of God and talked with him face to face.
JARED'S BRO.	Ether 3:13 & 16	The Lord showed himself unto him...This body which ye now behold, is the body of my spirit.
ABRAHAM	GEN. 12:7,12 ABR. 2:6	The Lord appeared unto me...now after the Lord had withdrawn from speaking to me, and withdrawn His face from me,
ENOCH	D&C 107:49	He saw the Lord, and he walked with Him and was before His face continually.
JACOB	GEN. 32:30	Called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face...
EZEKIEL	EZEK. 1:26	As the appearance of a man above upon it.
MORMON	Mormon 1:15	Visited of the Lord and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus.

ISAIAH 5 - 2 NEPHI 15

 

This chapter contains a parable (vs. 1-7) a simplified Jacob 5, 6 woes (8-25) and future promises of hope (26-30).

            "The parable of the vineyard has been given 3 times in history. 1) Isaiah 5:1-7-prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 BC, 2) Matt. 21:33-46-by the Savior prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD & 3) D&C 101:43-62- in 1833 after the failure of the Saints to establish Zion in Missouri.

Vs. 1 - Well beloved=Savior

Vineyard=Israel

Fruitful Hill=The promised land =Israel, Judah, Jerusalem

Vs. 2 - Developed the promised land for Israel

Built a tower=Solomon’s temple or anything else that prophets can use to help them warn their people of coming problems

Wine press would be there in anticipation of a great harvest. It may be referring to the ordinances of the temple wherein Israel can consecrate themselves to the Lord.

Wild grapes=Israel’s apostasy

 The comparison between this parable and D&C 101:43-62 and vs.  2. The winepress, the fertile hill and the grapes are all symbols of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.

Vs. 3,4 - You be the judge, what more could God have done? Is there more that we expect of Him?

Vs. 5 - the wall, hedge and watch tower-three elements to protect Israel are being taken away. 587 BC

Vs. 6 - Rain represents life and revelation and the word of God.

Vs. 7 - a little poetic thing we miss out on when we read this verse in English rather than Hebrew.

Mis’pach=bloodshed (NIV)  mishpat=judgment

ts’aqah=crying  ts’daqah=righteousness

For the next 18 verses, Isaiah describes 6 separate warnings.

Vs. 8 – Wo means severe anguish and distress resulting from God’s judgment on the guilty

 First wo goes to those who join house to house or those wealthy landowners or governments who covet and buy up or take property, thus depriving the poor of their heritage. The law of ancient Israel prescribed that land could not be sold forever. (Lev. 25:23; 1 Kings 21) It was to remain within families as a heritage for posterity. When economical circumstances necessitated the sale of land, it was to be returned to the original owners in the year of jubilee, which occurred every 50 years.

This practice puts people toward communism like systems and away from consecration.

Vs. 9 - Those who took will lose what they took

Vs. 10 - The lands of those wealthy will become extremely unproductive. 10 acres reps. what a yoke of oxen can plow in a day, or the equiv. of 5 acres today. From this acreage, the yield will only be one bath (4-8 gallons of wine). One homer (6 bushels) will yield only on ephah of produce (4-6 gal. of dry measure). Bottom line: yield = 1/10 of seed planted

Wo Two

Vs. 11,12,13 -The people party who become spiritually in bondage. Amos 8:11-12 refers to people who are seeking but can't find spiritual insight. These verses seem to refer to those who are too busy doing worldly things to look. Those who should be leading are partying

Vs. 14 - a population boom in hell. Hell opens her mouth just like the wicked opened their mouths to partake of the wine and food. The spiritual casualties are significant.

Vs. 15 - mean=common man. In other words all the wicked, the common and the mighty will be humbled.

Vs. 16 - See D&C 3:1-3

Vs. 17 - the former habitations of the wealthy will be given to strangers and animals.

Wo Three

Vs. 18 - The image is of a sinner dragging a cart filled with sins that they won’t let go of and the cord is as hard to cut as a thick rope. People fall in love with their sinful life style and parade it. Willingly tie to sin.

Vs. 19 - These people ask for signs, taunting the Lord and His people. They set time limits like in 3 Nephi 1.. Korihor had the same argument (Alma 30:43) show me a sign

Wo Four

Vs. 20 -This wo is pronounced upon those who would pervert standards of morality and decency. They seek man’s approval of that which God has condemned and disdain that which is good. They have been successful in getting legislation passed to make such perversion legal and acceptable by society. Immoral practices are called alternate lifestyles by those who practice them, and they label those who courageously speak against them as radicals or narrow-minded bigots.  Such was the case in the times of Noah, Sodom and ancient Israel. This seems very current. Secular humanism anybody? = No god, no fixed principles, no divine destiny, man has no soul, man is an animal, no life beyond, no divine judgment.

Wo Five

Vs. 21- See what Jacob said about this in 2 Nephi 9:28-29.

Wo Six

Vs. 22,23 - They take bribes by saying that something is true for money and in so doing they mislead righteous people into committing sin. (People who would advertise bad products for money, or promote wicked things for fame or promote sin as acceptable; movie stars, athletes etc.) Taking away the righteousness of the righteous would most importantly apply to those who say less of Jesus and His atonement. It also applies to calling people unrighteous for defending the Gospel of Jesus.

Consequences

Vs. 24,25 - Describes what happens to those upon whom the woes are cast. Stubble and chaff are what is left after the harvest. It is burned. (JSH:37)  The end of vs. 24 tells why God sends calamites on Israel. See also 66:4; 65:12; 42:24; 24:5; 17:10.

The end of verse 25 appears to be an appeal, still, to repent and the Lord will still accept you. I see it as a transition verse to the rest of the chapter and its invitation to come to Zion. (9:12, 17, 21; 10:4; 50:1-2)

Vs. 26-29 - LeGrand Richards says this is the return to Zion with the use of modern transportation. “Since there were neither trains nor airplanes in that day, Isaiah could hardly have mentioned them by name. However, he seems to have described them in unmistakable words. How better could ‘their horses’ hoofs be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind’ than in the modern train? How better could ‘their roaring … be like a lion’ than in the roar of the airplane? Trains and airplanes do not stop for night. Therefore, was not Isaiah justified in saying: ‘none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken’? With this manner of transportation the Lord can really ‘hiss unto them from the end of the earth,’ that ‘they shall come with speed swiftly.’” (Israel! Do You Know?, p. 182.)

It is not just those who come to Zion, It is also descriptive of those who go forth as missionaries from Zion.

Vs. 30 - “They” seems to symbolize the Children of Zion roaring against the wicked of the earth and there will not be light from God upon the land of those they prophecy against because the light of the Lord will focus on Zion.