Isaiah opens this chapter lamenting his apparent lack of success, perhaps speaking on behalf of all Israel. God responds with a message of comfort. He is pleased with Isaiah’s efforts. He has not forgotten Israel and will gather them at the appropriate time.
Chapter Outline
- God reassures a discouraged Isaiah (v. 1-6).
- God promises that He will gather Israel at the appropriate time (v. 7-13).
- God has not forgotten Zion (v. 14-16).
- They will yet triumph and prosper (v. 17-21).
- The Gentiles will participate in the gathering of Israel (v. 22-26).
My Takeaways
- The Lord loves our efforts even when the outcomes are less than ideal.
- When we take the long view, we can speak and act with optimism and hope.
- The Savior’s suffering is evidence of His love.
- Faith in God includes faith in His timing.
Featured Blog Posts
What Is the Role of Isaiah’s “Servant Songs” in the Book of Mormon?
Four passages in the Book of Isaiah are known as the “servant songs.” They are written in a poetic style, and they collectively describe a servant of God who would save God’s children by suffering for them (“The Servant Songs in Isaiah,” American Bible Society Resources website, “Isaiah’s ‘Other’ Servant Songs,” Religious Studies Center, Brigham…
❖ God Reassures Isaiah – 1 Nephi 21:1-6
Then I Said, I Have Labored in Vain – 1 Nephi 21:4-5
4 Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. 5 And now, saith the Lord—that formed me from the womb that I should be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him—though…
“Though Israel Be Not Gathered” – 1 Nephi 21:5
In a poignant expression of self-doubt, Isaiah lamented his apparent lack of success: I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. 1 Nephi 21:4, Isaiah 49:4 In response God offered the following words of reassurance: And…
❖ God Has Not Forgotten Israel – 1 Nephi 21:7-13
In an Acceptable Time – 1 Nephi 21:8
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 my servant for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;…
For a Covenant of the People – 1 Nephi 21:8-10
Shortly after arriving on the American continent, Nephi shared the following passage from Isaiah with his brothers: 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 my servant for…
1 Nephi 21:9-10 Thou Mayest Say to the Prisoners: Go Forth
9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners: Go forth; to them that sit in darkness: Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. 10 They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on…
❖ Nursing Fathers and Mothers – 1 nephi 19:23
“They Shall Not Be Ashamed That Wait for Me” – 1 Nephi 21:23, 2 Nephi 6:7
To the captive children of Israel, the prophet Isaiah made a promise. When it feels like God has forsaken you, like your covenant relationship with Him has been broken, you need only look up to see that He is still with you. Rescue is on the way. You may have to wait patiently and hopefully,…
Old Testament Foundations
Hunters and Fishers
The gathering of Israel is underway, and each of us can be part of it. Jeremiah said, “The days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north,…
“Thou Art My Servant”
To be a servant of God is a great honor. King Benjamin reported to his people that God had preserved him so that he could serve them. Then, he added, “Because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been…
“I…Will Hold Thine Hand”
Yesterday, I wrote about the importance of acknowledging our vulnerability and recognizing God’s supremacy. While it is true that God is infinitely more powerful than us, that truth is balanced by His boundless love for us. Here are a few expressions of God’s love found in Isaiah 40-49: Elder Patrick Kearon shared several of these…
New Testament Parallels
Be a Light
Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). To His disciples on the American continent, He phrased it as an imperative: “I give unto you to be the light of this people” (3 Nephi 12:14). God had previously given a similar message to the prophet Isaiah: I will also give thee for…
Church History Connections
“Though Israel Be Not Gathered” – 1 Nephi 21:5
In a poignant expression of self-doubt, Isaiah lamented his apparent lack of success: I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. 1 Nephi 21:4, Isaiah 49:4 In response God offered the following words of reassurance: And…
“I Will Fight Your Battles”
We all face battles that we can’t fight alone. Whether it be people who oppose us, health issues, financial burdens, or other challenges, we all have frequent reminders of our limitations and of our need for help. Isaiah captured this quandary eloquently with the following poetic query: “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty,…
“With the Voice Together Shall They Sing”
The Book of Mormon opens with music. In the opening scene, Lehi sees in a vision: God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God. 1 Nephi 1:8 The prophet Isaiah associated singing with expressions of joy and gratitude. For example: “Sing, O heavens;…
All Posts Referencing 1 Nephi 21
- Contents of the Brass Plates (1/3/2026)
- Tender Blades, Lawful Heirs (8/10/2025)
- The Islands of the Sea (1/10/2025)
- The Acceptable Year of the Lord (1/31/2023)
- Hunters and Fishers (10/12/2022)
- “Thou Art My Servant” (9/24/2022)
- Waiting Upon the Lord (9/23/2022)
- “I…Will Hold Thine Hand” (9/22/2022)
- Forsaken (4/13/2022)
- Songs of Everlasting Joy (11/20/2021)
- “Though Israel Be Not Gathered” – 1 Nephi 21:5 (10/14/2021)
- Be a Light (9/23/2021)
- “I Will Fight Your Battles” (9/19/2021)
- A Standard for My People (5/1/2021)
- “With the Voice Together Shall They Sing” (3/13/2021)
- “They Shall Not Be Ashamed That Wait for Me” (1/24/2021)
- “They Shall Not Be Ashamed That Wait for Me” – 1 Nephi 21:23, 2 Nephi 6:7 (2/11/2020)
- For a Covenant of the People – 1 Nephi 21:8-10 (2/1/2020)
- Why Were the Children of Israel Scattered? (8/12/2019)
- What Is the Role of Isaiah’s “Servant Songs” in the Book of Mormon? (6/14/2019)
- How Does Isaiah Point Us Toward Christ? (6/1/2019)
- Which of Isaiah’s Writings Are Quoted in the Book of Mormon? (5/31/2019)
- What Is the Significance of the Title “the Mighty One of Jacob?” (3/12/2019)
- How Do Book of Mormon Prophets Use the Title “Savior?” (3/11/2019)
- What Does It Mean for Jesus to Be Our “Redeemer?” (3/10/2019)
- In an Acceptable Time – 1 Nephi 21:8 (8/12/2018)
- Then I Said, I Have Labored in Vain – 1 Nephi 21:4-5 (9/6/2017)
- 1 Nephi 21:9-10 Thou Mayest Say to the Prisoners: Go Forth (1/31/2015)