Isaiah in the Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 7 Isaiah 50

Isaiah 50 or 2 Nephi 7

Chapter 7

Jacob continues reading from Isaiah: Isaiah speaks messianically—The Messiah will have the tongue of the learned—He will give His back to the smiters—He will not be confounded—Compare Isaiah 50. About 559–545 B.C.

Verses 1-3 a call to Israel to return to the Lord and trust in His strength

1 ^aYea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lord: Where is the ^bbill of your mother’s ^cdivorcement? To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my ^dcreditors have I ^esold you? Yea, to whom have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. In Deut. 24:1-4 the law states that a man give his wicked wife a formal bill of divorcement.  The Lord has not given Israel a divorce, He has not sold her to someone to pay his debts, for he has never been in debt.  Who have I given you to?  You just left me and although we are separated we are not divorced.

2 Wherefore, when I came, there was no man; when I ^acalled, yea, there was none to answer. O house of Israel, is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I ^bdry up the ^csea, I make their ^drivers a wilderness and their ^efish to stink because the waters are dried up, and they die because of thirst. Verses 2-3 indicate that at any time, the Lord could have returned and redeemed Israel if she had just called for his help.  In our modern scriptures he says the same thing in D&C 133:66-69  He wants her to know that he has the power to help and to redeem her if she has put herself in bondage.  He had in Moses’s day dried up the sea and made the fish stink (Ex.7:21, 14:26-31)

3 I clothe the heavens with ^ablackness, and I make ^bsackcloth their covering. This seems to refer to the time where darkness covered Egypt also in Moses day, (Ex. 10:21) Also at the second coming the heavens will be darkened and the wicked will mourn in sackcloth, so the Lord describes how he will be merciful to those who will follow him, but the consequences of rejecting the Lord. Sackcloth is usually made of Goats hair and is worn as a sign of humility or repentance.  I think that it may reference the spiritual darkness when the heavens are dark or not communicating with man, because the people have rejected the Lord, and are not requesting his help or redemptive power..

Verses 4-9 the third servant song

These verses most likely relate to Jesus Christ and describes what he goes through, but many parts can be seen in the lives of the prophets of the Lord who have been rejected by the people.

4 The Lord God hath given me the ^atongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season unto thee, O house of Israel. When ye are weary he waketh morning by morning. He waketh mine ear to hear as the learned. Verses 4-5 outline the ministry of the servant, which is to hear and speak the word of God, he is not rebellious, nor does he turn from his labors.

5 The Lord God hath opened mine ^aear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.

6 I gave my back to the ^asmiter, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from ^bshame and spitting. This verse is very Messianic, He was publically beaten, and had his beard plucked out which was a great sign of disgrace or dishonor, for they looked at the beard as a sign of freedom and respect.  This may give the turning of the other cheek a little more meaning. (Matt 5:39) He was also mocked and spit upon by the Roman soldiers, along with others

7 For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ^aashamed. Just as the Father upheld Christ so will he do the same for each of us.  We can endure all asked of us, for it will work for our good.

8 And the Lord is near, and he ^ajustifieth me. Who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is mine adversary? Let him come near me, and I will ^bsmite him with the strength of my mouth. In all that the innocent suffer they should not be ashamed, for the wicked are only condemning themselves before the Lord, and will suffer themselves for their works.

9 For the Lord God will help me. And all they who shall ^acondemn me, behold, all they shall ^bwax old as a garment, and the moth shall eat them up. Don’t worry about what the wicked do for they will wax old and perish as a garment and rot away, you will be out of their reach forever.

Verses 10-11 An injunction to follow the servant, encouragement to the faithful and of warning to the unfaithful.

10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the ^avoice of his servant, that ^bwalketh in darkness and hath no light? We should be like the one who believes the Lord and follows the counsel of his servant, even when we don’t understand or see what the Lord is doing.

11 Behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of ^ayour fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled. ^bThis shall ye have of mine hand—ye shall lie down in sorrow. This refers to the wicked who try to walk in the light of their own fire, and reject the Lord, and his word and try to become a law unto themselves. D&C 1:16 says this about this group of people. “They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world.” There is no righteous reward for those who refuse to follow the Lord.  They shall suffer a miserable fate, even eternal sorrow.

Isaiah in the Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 21 Isaiah 49

Isaiah 49 or 1 Nephi 21

By Jeffrey Bushman Aug. 2017

Chapter 21

The Messiah will be a light to the Gentiles and will free the prisoners—Israel will be gathered with power in the last days—Kings will be their nursing fathers—Compare Isaiah 49. About 588–570 B.C.

This chapter will relate, according to Pres. Wilford Woodruff, to the predictions,  visions and revelations about the last dispensation and what is going to come to pass, he also is addressing scattered Israel who will be gathered at the last days.

This chapter seems to be patterned after a court case, with 4 steps!

1. The Summons vs 1-6

Also these 6 verses comprise one of the four recognized servant song of Isaiah, the other three are in chapters 42:1-4; 50:4-9; and 52:13-53:12 see pp 358-60

See note after v 6

1 ^aAnd again: Hearken, O ye house of Israel, all ye that are broken off and are driven out because of the wickedness of the pastors of my people; yea, all ye that are broken off, that are scattered abroad, who are of my people, O house of Israel. Listen, O ^bisles, unto me, and hearken ye people from ^cfar; the Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.  Jeremiah 1:5 Prophets foreordained to do their calling!  Here the Lord is talking to the remnants of Israel who have been scattered because of their sins.  It also seems to reference Isaiah as a servant in his role with Israel.  Many believe that these verses could refer to Christ and some even see Joseph Smith or Isaiah mentioned in here, also others see that this is Israel as a people, who were foreordained to be his lineage for priesthood blessings.

2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;    Servants comes from a chosen lineage that has been hid from the world.  Joseph Smith said this verse refers to himself. (HC 5:401) See D&C 86:9   Christ or Jehovah was hidden from men generally, as most did not see him as their Savior or Messiah.

3 And said unto me: Thou art my ^aservant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. Israel  is also his servant

4 Then I said, I have labored in ^avain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. May sometimes feel like he has labored in vain. From Jesus being rejected by his own people (John 1:11), to Joseph Smith in Carthage to Isaiah having no one who would listen, to Israel who felt they weren’t being heard.

5 And now, saith the Lord—that ^aformed me from the womb that I should be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him—though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my ^bstrength. . He will assist in the gathering of Israel, each group fits this verse also.

6 And he said: It is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the ^atribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give thee for a ^blight to the ^cGentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth.  The four groups mentioned after verse 1 may all play a role in the gathering of Israel and an invitation for the gentiles to come to the Lord, The tribe of Ephraim given the charge to gather scattered Israel in the last great gathering, may actually be the main focus of the servant song of these 1^st 6 verses.

The Plaintiff’s Charge vs 7-13 

The Lord accusations to Israel,  he is reminding her of the actions that fulfilled his obligations in their contract or covenant.

7 Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nations abhorreth, to servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful. The time will come when those despised and abhorred, servant or slaves of rulers, will finally have their heavenly king and the mighty of the earth  be humbled and worship the Holy One of Israel who chose Israel.  They will then not be despised. These verses may still focus on Ephriam in the last days

8 Thus saith the Lord: In an acceptable time have I heard thee, O isles of the sea, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee ^amy servant for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;  Referring to covenant Israel including the Kingdom of Judah, who will come back to the Lord in the Last days.

9 That thou mayest say to the ^aprisoners: Go forth; to them that sit in ^bdarkness: Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their ^cpastures shall be in all high places.  Will teach them how to get out of bondage to sin so they can enjoy the blessing the Lord has for those who love him.  Also may refer to those in Spirit Prison, promising freedom to those who repent, and freedom through the resurrection.

10 They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. Living water, and blessed by the presence of the Son.

11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my ^ahighways shall be exalted. This may be referencing temples or mountains and those who follow these high ways will be exalted.

12 And then, O house of Israel, behold, ^athese shall come from far; and lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.  A large group of people will be gathered.  Sinim is unknown but some scholars believe it may refer to China, but if not it will be a large group of people who will come.  Whether Sinim is near or far from Jerusalem, the fact the Israelties gather from there seems to be an unexpected miracle.

13 ^aSing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; for the feet of those who are in the east shall be established; and ^bbreak forth into singing, O mountains; for they shall be smitten no more; for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his ^cafflicted.  Blessings of the gathering.

The Defendant’s Plea  vs 14, 21, 24

Zion will give three complaints after the Lord has talked about their breaking their covenants and being scattered.

14 But, behold, Zion hath said: The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me—but he will show that he hath not. . Zion’s complaint, you have forgotten me. 1^st complaint, or plea!

The Judge’s Indictment vs. 15-20, 22-23, 25-26

15 For can a ^awoman forget her sucking child, that she should not have ^bcompassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may ^cforget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.  Response of the Lord to this complaint! A mother may forget here child, but I will not.

16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the ^apalms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. The wounds in his hands and feet, and the walls referencing the successful work of the Lord that he has done for his people.  A workman’s hands demonstrate their occupation.

The future restoration of Israel

17 Thy children shall make haste against thy destroyers; and they that made thee ^awaste shall go forth of thee.  Swiftly your children shall come against those who took from you, and those who ruined you shall leave you. NJV 17 Swiftly your children are coming against those who ravaged yea, and those who have ruined you shall leave you.

18 Lift up thine eyes round about and behold; all these ^agather themselves together, and they shall come to thee. And as I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on even as a bride.  .  Sounds like covenant Israel or his church shall gather the righteous to her and prepare herself and them for the coming of the bride groom. (the Lord)

19 For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants; and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.  The number of righteous will be so great they will hardly have room to live there.

20 The children whom thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the first, shall ^aagain in thine ears say: The place is too strait (or tight, or narrow) for me; give place to me that I may dwell. .  It will be a great multitude after the gathering who will replace those who were lost in the scattering.

Second complaint Verse 21

21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart: Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am ^adesolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? And who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where have they been?  When the gathering starts she complains that she is childless.

2^nd Indictment from the Lord V22-23

22 Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the ^aGentiles, and set up my ^bstandard to the people; and they shall bring thy sons in their ^carms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. The Lord promises that as the gospel is preached to the gentiles that Israel’s children will be gathered out from them and helped by gentile nations.  Shes grows so fast she is shocked with the growth.  She 1830 with just 7,000 Jews lived in Israel to over 3 Million in 1982.

23 And ^akings shall be thy ^bnursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their face towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that ^cwait for me.  Many nations have helped the Jews return to the land of Israel after WWI, Britian helped establish the country of Israel in 1947 along with U.S. and Russia, Holland and Denmark help protect Jews during the holocaust. The United States and France help with military equipment so Israel could defend herself.  German reparation payments and large contribution from the United States and other countries have helped Israel financially.  Zion  also being established in America and the gathering of the 10 tribes.

3^rd complaint. Israel is robbed,

 or a question, how can all this happen by our former adversaries?

24 For shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the ^alawful captives delivered?  Also quoted by Jacob: in  2 Nephi 6:16  NJV 24 Can spoil be taken from a warrior or captives retrieved from a victor?

3^rd Indictment from the Lord v 25-26

25 But thus saith the Lord, even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; (2 Nephi 6:17 for the Mighty God shall deliver his covenant people: For thus saith the Lord:  Jacob them drops the end of the verse “and I will save thy children” )for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.  .  The Lord has power to save his people   NJV (New Jewish Version)  25 Yet thus said the Lord: Captives shall be taken from a warrior, and spoil shall be retrieved from a tyrant:  For I will contend with your adversaries, (And I will deliver your children.)  The words of Jacob change ‘my Covenant people’ for ‘thy children’!  God’s children are those who are his covenant people through baptism, where they are born again.

26 And I will ^afeed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall ^bknow that I, the Lord, am thy ^cSavior and thy Redeemer, the ^dMighty One of Jacob.  Also in 2 Nephi 6:18    NJV   I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, They shall be drunk with their own blood as with wine.  And all mankind shall know That I the Lord am your Savior, The Mighty One of Jacob, your Redeemer.

Nephi in 1 Nephi 22 verses 3,6,11- 12 summarizes what the Lord is saying about this chapter

1 Nephi 22:3 Wherefore, the things of which I have read are things pertaining to things both temporal and spiritual: for it appears that the house of Israel, sooner or later, will be scattered upon all the face of the earth, and also among all nations.

6 Nevertheless, after they shall be nursed by the gentiles, and the Lord has lifted up his hand upon the Gentiles and set them up for a standard, and their children have been carried in their arms, and their daughters have been carried upon their shoulders, behold these things of which are spoken are temporal: for thus are the covenants of the Lord with our fathers: and it meaneth us in the days to come, and also all our brethren who are of the house of Israel.

11 Wherefore the Lord will proceed to make bare his arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants and his gospel unto those who are of the house of Israel.

12 Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness; and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel

Isaiah in the Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 20 or Isaiah 48

Isaiah 48 or 1 Nephi 20

By Jeffrey Bushman Aug. 2017

Chapter 20

I have again used Ludow’s commentary!

The following verse is Nephi’s introduction to these two Isaiah chapters

 1 Nephi 19:24 Wherefore I spake unto them, saying: Hear ye the words of the prophet, ye who are a remnant of the house of Israel, a branch who have been broken off; hear ye the words of the prophet, which were written unto all the house of Israel, and liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your brethren from whom ye have been broken off; for after this manner has the prophet written. Nephi has told them to listen and later in verse 1 of 48 Isaiah tells Israel to listen to the Lord.

The Lord reveals His purposes to Israel—Israel has been chosen in the furnace of affliction and is to go forth from Babylon—Compare Isaiah 48. About 588–570 B.C.

Verses 1-2 are Isaiah’s prologue

1 ^aHearken and hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, or out of the waters of ^bbaptism, who ^cswear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, yet they swear ^dnot in truth nor in righteousness.  This means that the house of Jacob or actual descendants of Jacob, the first birth, and then those who are Israel through covenant, the second birth or baptism, are the Lords people, hence the terms baptism.  These people claim they’re God’s covenant people but they don’t keep their covenants.  Joseph Smith seems to have inserted the words “out of the waters of baptism” in the 1840 edition, since he was the translater, according to Hugh Nibley

2 Nevertheless, they call themselves of the ^aholy city, but they do ^bnot stay (IE pretend to rely upon) themselves upon the God of Israel, who is the Lord of Hosts; yea, the Lord of Hosts is his name.  They are members in name only, not following the Lord’s instructions. Seems to be the time of early Judah, or Jerusalem, but can relate to many members of the church today.

Verses 3 -8a Is a historical prologue

3 Behold, I have declared the ^aformer things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them. I did show them suddenly. Anciently I declared the future,  I did it quickly and it came to pass, so that you know I knew before they happened.

4 And I did it because I knew that thou (Israel) art obstinate, and thy ^aneck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;   I did it because of your wickedness, because your neck won’t bend showing your pride in refusing to submit to my counsel, and your head is so thick you don’t understand what I am trying to do.

5 And I have even from the beginning declared to thee; before it came to pass I ^ashowed them thee; and I showed them for fear lest thou shouldst say—Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image hath commanded them. . I revealed many things beforehand so you couldn’t claim it came to pass by your false gods.

6 Thou hast seen and heard all this; and will ye ^anot declare them? And that I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. You have seen and heard all this, yet would you admit it?  I will now show you new things that you have never heard before.  Hidden things or “well guarded secrets”, which you have not before known.

7 They are created now, and not from the beginning, even before the day when thou heardest them not they were declared unto thee, lest thou shouldst say—Behold I knew them. I am now telling you new things, so you won’t say I already knew them because I am just now revealing them, that had not be recorded earlier!

8 Yea, and thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time thine ear was not opened; for I knew that thou wouldst deal very treacherously, and wast called a ^atransgressor from the womb. . New Jewish Version: You had never heard, you had never known, your ears were not opened of old. Isaiah might have been delivering new prophecies that were available but the Israelites did not understand, or had ears that cannot hear or eyes that see but cannot see what the Lord is doing.

Verses 8b-13a Stipulations of the Covenant  8b “starts for I knew”

9 Nevertheless, for my ^aname’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off. You won’t be totally destroyed, because of covenants made to earlier Israelites who were righteous, that Israel would not be totally destroyed, but the Lord would seek after them in the future ages.  That is why I am being patient with you now.

10 For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of ^aaffliction. .  You will become a good people but only as you are refined through suffering and afflictions.  The BofM verse has removed the phrase “but not as silver after I have refined you.” It now is easier to understand.

11 For mine own sake, yea, for mine own sake will I do this, for I will not suffer my ^aname to be polluted, and I will ^bnot give my glory unto another.  .  I will yet call Israel my covenant people, meaning the covenant line that my gospel will always come through.  I will choose no other group. Israel will always be where my authority is housed if I have given it to the inhabitants of the earth. Not suffer my name to be polluted.  We take his name upon us when baptized we need to keep our commandments.

12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob, and Israel my called, for I am he; I am the ^afirst, and I am also the last.  Jacob by birth and Israel by covenant, Listen to me, I am Jesus Christ,  I am the beginning and the end.

13 Mine hand hath also ^alaid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens. I ^bcall unto them and they stand up together.  He created the earth by his hand, but the heavens by his right hand or the hand of power and authority, showing it is a symbol of righteousness and a covenant hand. It is still used today to show a covenant relationship from heaven or from the Lord.

Verses 13b-15 Perpetuation of the Covenant starts “I call unto them”

14 All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; who among them hath declared these things unto them? The Lord hath loved him; yea, and he will ^afulfil his word which he hath declared by them; and he will do his pleasure (IE Cyrus will do his desire, or wish see Is 44:28-45:1) on ^bBabylon, and his arm shall come upon the Chaldeans.  The Lord loves his servants and will fulfill all that they have prophesied in his name, for he has power over the world, they cannot stop his work.  The he in this and the next verse may be Jesus who is Heavenly Fathers servant.

15 Also, saith the Lord; I the Lord, yea, I have spoken; yea, I have called ^ahim to declare, I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.  Here the Lord may be the servant as he is doing the will of Heavenly Father, and not his own will.  All that he testifies will come to pass or prosperous.  The Lord is still speaking today, or declaring.

Verse 16 Witness of the Covanant

16 Come ye near unto me; I have not spoken in ^asecret; from the beginning, from the time that it was declared have I spoken; and the Lord God, and his ^bSpirit, hath sent me.  Christ testifying of his relationship with the Father.  He has been with the Father doing his work from the beginning, and is still involved.  The last part may be Isaiah adding his testimony to that of the Savior’s.

Verses 17-22 Blessings and Curses

17 And thus saith the Lord, thy ^aRedeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I have sent him, the Lord thy God who teacheth thee to profit, who ^bleadeth thee by the way thou shouldst go, hath done it.  .  Jesus may still be talking in third person about himself.  The Lord has given the gospel to his covenant people to bless them.

The following verses seem to be the blessing they could enjoy through righteous living or they will receive the punishment for broken laws instead of blessings (D&C 130:18-19)

18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my ^acommandments—then had thy ^bpeace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. .  If you were good you would enjoy peace and power. I can’t force my blessing upon you.  You have to choose by your actions.

19 Thy ^aseed also had been as the sand; the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.  You would have enjoyed eternal families in the presence of the Lord, and not have the names of wicked members cut off before the face of the Lord.

20 ^aGo ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the ^bChaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter to the end of the earth; say ye: The Lord hath redeemed his ^cservant Jacob.  Leave the world behind, but share the joy the Lord has given you of Israel, to those who live around you.  Every member a missionary.

21 And they ^athirsted not; he led them through the deserts; he caused the waters to flow out of the ^brock for them; he clave the rock also and the waters gushed out.  The Lord has provided all the needs of the righteous, including living water.

22 And notwithstanding he hath done all this, and greater also, there is no ^apeace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.  .  It is sad that the wicked refuse these blessings.

Isaiah Chapters used in the Book of Mormon

I will now post individual chapters of Isaiah as they are found in the Book of Mormon.

I will post them as they appear in the Book of Mormon

Most of the notes come from commentaries and from what I was trying to teach as I taught the chapters of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon

These represent my own work in understanding Isaiah.

Jeff Bushman October 2019