Isaiah prophesied that two empires would conquer the children of Israel: Assyria and Babylon. But both would operate within constraints set by God. Their power would be overwhelming but temporary, and even they would be shocked at how quickly it would evaporate in the end. Nephi’s extensive quotation from Isaiah ends with this hopeful declaration: “The Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it” (2 Nephi 24:32).
Nephi then adds his own prophecy, “according to [his] plainness” (2 Nephi 25:7). He speaks of the coming of Jesus Christ and the scattering and gathering of Israel. He testifies that that we can only be saved by the grace of Jesus Christ, and he urges us to believe in Him and to rely on Him.
Here are some highlights from these chapters, with links to relevant blog posts:
Outline
- 2 Nephi 20 – Assyria will conquer Israel, but a “remnant shall return” (Isaiah 10)
- 2 Nephi 21 – Jesus (the “stem of Jesse”) will establish peace and gather Israel (Isaiah 11)
- 2 Nephi 22 – Two psalms, representing the joy we will feel when the Savior returns (Isaiah 12)
- 2 Nephi 23 – Babylon, “the glory of kingdoms,” will fall (Isaiah 23)
- 2 Nephi 24 – The king of Babylon will fall from power suddenly, just as Lucifer was cast down from heaven (Isaiah 24)
- 2 Nephi 25 – Nephi quoted Isaiah so that we would understand that we can only be saved through Jesus Christ (Isaiah 25)
Key Themes
- God loves the poor and the needy. We need to also be mindful of those who need our help.
- When we act on behalf of Christ, we are not only recipients but also conduits of His power. He is the stem or the root, and we are the branches, drawing strength from Him.
- Turbulence can be redemptive. Our trials can wake us up and cause us to see things as they really are.
- God’s grace can give us relief from sorrow, fear, and bondage, including the bondage that comes from our bad habits and addictions.
- Jesus Christ can heal all of our wounds—physical and spiritual.
Connections
- When Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith in 1823, he quoted a number of biblical passages, including Isaiah 11 (2 Nephi 21).
- Moses instructed the children of Israel to use a variety of methods in a variety of settings to preach the gospel to their children. Nephi similarly spoke of the variety of ways that he testified of Jesus Christ to his children.
- In every era, God has instructed his prophets to “plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
Applications
- We need to trust and rely on God, not merely to believe in Him.
- Work to understand other people better. As you do, you will love them more.
- Praise God with enthusiasm and joy, not merely out of a sense of duty.
- Don’t get attached to temporary things.
- Avoid letting worldly honors and praise go to your head.
- Use every available medium of communication to share your witness of Christ.
Recommended Posts
- About Isaiah and Plainness
- What Is the Significance of the Name “Jesus?”
- What Does It Mean to Be Saved by Grace “After All We Can Do?”
Blog Posts: March 5-10
The Remnant Shall Return
Isaiah’s prophecy about the remnant of Israel returning to God assures that no matter how far they are from home, they are not out of God’s sight. Book of Mormon authors echo this sentiment: God is mindful of you, wherever you are, and you can come home.
“A Little Child Shall Lead Them”
In the middle of a prophecy about the Millenium, Isaiah inserted a fascinating phrase: “and a little child shall lead them.” Elder Boyd K. Packer said that this phrase has meaning for us today. We can learn much from children, if we are willing to listen.
Declare His Doings
Isaiah’s second millenial psalm is a call to action, encouraging us to share our faith in a variety of ways: praising, testifying, singing, and even shouting. Nephi followed the guidance in this psalm, sharing his testimony of Christ in a variety of ways.
Burdens
Isaiah called some of his prophecies “burdens.” They described difficult times ahead. The scriptures teach us how to manage our burdens: 1. Share them with each other. 2. Don’t add to others’ burdens. 3. Accept the burdens Jesus offers us.
The Lord of Hosts Hath Purposed
Isaiah assures us that God’s purposes will be fulfilled. That may be hard to see in the middle of a difficult experience, but we can draw strength from our conviction that He is in charge and that He will intervene at the right time and in the right way.
“We Talk of Christ”
Nephi tells us that he consistently taught his children about Christ, because he wanted them to know where to turn to overcome their sins. Sometimes those words aren’t well-received at first, but they may eventually become a lifeline in a time of need.
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