Isaiah pronounced a collection of “burdens,” weighty prophecies of affliction, upon multiple nations. The burden of Babylon, for example, represented the terror they would experience when the Medes would overrun their land (Isaiah 13). He also pronounced burdens on Moab (Isaiah 15 and 16), Damascus (Syria) (Isaiah 17), Egypt (Isaiah 19), Dumah and Arabia (Isaiah 21:11-17), and Tyre (Isaiah 23).
But among all of these prophecies of adversity and sorrow, Isaiah included messages of hope: “The Lord shall give thee rest” (Isaiah 14:3). “In mercy shall the throne be established” (Isaiah 16:5). “The key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open” (Isaiah 22:22).
After pronouncing these nation-specific prophecies, Isaiah begins to speak globally: “The Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof” (Isaiah 24:1). “The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard” (Isaiah 24:20). But all of this chaos will be in preparation for God’s salvation: “a feast of fat things” which He will offer to all people, as He “[swallows] up death in victory” and “[wipes] away tears from off all faces” (Isaiah 25:6-8).
All of this is part of His “marvellous work” (Isaiah 29:14), which He will perform to show us that His wisdom is greater than human wisdom and to help His children learn to see more clearly (Isaiah 29:18, 24). Nephi emphasized the concept of God’s marvelous work (see 1 Nephi 14:7; 22:8-9; 2 Nephi 25:17; 29:1). He even quoted and expanded upon the chapter containing this promise, explaining that the Book of Mormon itself was an important part of this work (2 Nephi 26:15-18; 27). Nephi saw Isaiah’s message as a hopeful assurance that God will guide His people through the adversities of life into His glory.
This week, as we study Isaiah 13-35, let’s seek to better understand God’s marvelous work in our lives. Let’s look for insights which will help us keep our afflictions in perspective and see how God is using the trials and difficulties of life to prepare us for His wondrous blessings!
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