It must have been disorienting to the people of Nephi, who had immigrated far from Jerusalem, to read the books of Moses in which God repeatedly promised their ancestors that their posterity would live in the land of Israel forever. They must have at least occasionally wondered if God had abandoned them.
So the following words from the book of Isaiah likely have had particular resonance for them: “Thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever?” (2 Nephi 7:1). After the prophet Jacob quoted this and other passages from Isaiah, he urged them to “remember [God], and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off” (2 Nephi 10:20). He reminded them of the great miracles they had experienced on their journey: “The Lord has made the sea our path, and we are upon an isle of the sea.” And he added, “Great are the promises of the Lord unto them who are upon the isles of the sea” (2 Nephi 10:21; see also Isaiah 24:14-15, Isaiah 42:10).
Jacob also assured his people that God could help them overcome the greatest obstacles they faced: sin and death. He urged them to humble themselves and “reconcile [themselves] to the will of God” so that they could be saved by His grace. (See 2 Nephi 10:24.)
Here are some highlights from these chapters, with links to relevant blog posts:
Outline
- 2 Nephi 6 – Israel will be scattered multiple times, but the Messiah will recover them.
- 2 Nephi 7 – Walk in the light, because you are not abandoned (Isaiah 49).
- 2 Nephi 8 – Awake, and be confident. God is on your side (Isaiah 50).
- 2 Nephi 9 – Jesus Christ has overcome sin and death.
- 2 Nephi 10 – Be reconciled to God, and you will be saved by His grace.
Key Themes
- God can help us overcome every obstacle we face. Don’t give up. He is with you.
- As we trust God and follow Him, we walk in the light. Even when we are surrounded by darkness, His light can shine within us.
- God will magnify our efforts as we act in faith. Strength and deliverance will come from God, but we need to act now with confidence that they will come.
Connections
- The Greek word katallagé (καταλλαγή), is usually translated “reconciliation” in the King James Version of the New Testament, but one time, in Paul’s epistle to the Romans, they used the word “atonement.” Jacob likewise connects the concepts of atonement and reconciliation in this sermon.
- King David wrote about the joy of entering God’s house: “Lift up your heads, O ye gates.” Jacob likewise encouraged his people to lift up their heads forever, because of the blessings God had promised them.
Applications
- Remember how God blessed your ancestors, and take courage from those stories.
- Don’t stop learning because you’re proud of what you already know. Education loses its value when it becomes a status symbol instead of a quest for knowledge.
- Be careful how you use your limited resources. Prioritize, and spend your time, money, and energy on things of eternal value.
- Do the hard work of reconciling your will and your behavior with God’s will. We can learn a lot from financial reconciliations about this process.
Recommended Posts
- Jacob’s First Sermon – 2 Nephi 6-10
- What Is the Role of Isaiah’s “Servant Songs” in the Book of Mormon?
- Come Buy and Eat – 2 Nephi 9:50-51
Blog Posts: February 20-25
Spiritually Minded
Paul and Jacob both taught, “To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life.” President Dallin H. Oaks explained that we view the world through a lens. We interpret our experiences very differently depending on the lens we choose.
His Holy Order
Jacob said that he had been called and ordained according to God’s holy order. The earliest meaning of “order” is “a body of persons living under a religious discipline.” God’s church provides a community and activities which help us draw closer to Him.
Joy and Gladness
Jacob read the prophecies of Isaiah so that his people would rejoice in God’s promised blessings. He said, “Let your hearts rejoice.” Sometimes, we need to shift our focus and then get out of our own way in order to experience spontaneous joy.
Like a Flint
Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would “set [his] face like a flint” and would endure untold suffering without retaliation. Jesus fulfilled that prophecy, willingly enduring humiliation and violence at the end of His life.
Lehi and Jacob
Jacob learned from his father, Lehi: 1. Suffering can lead to blessings. 2. Jesus overcame sin and death. 3. The law enables both sin and righteousness. 4. The devil wants us to be miserable; God wants us to have joy. 5. We are free to choose.
Beautiful Garments
Isaiah urged us to put on our beautiful garments. The message is metaphorical, but there is also a literal application. The way we dress for worship activities can communicate our love and devotion to God.
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