Six of the chapters we will study this week, Isaiah 50-55, play a significant role throughout the Book of Mormon:
- Jacob quotes chapters 50, 51, and the first two verses of 52 in his sermon about the gathering of Israel (2 Nephi 7, 8). He also paraphrases Isaiah 55:1-2 during that same sermon (2 Nephi 9:50-51).
- The priests of King Noah challenge Abinadi to explain Isaiah 52:7-10, and during Abinadi’s detailed response, he quotes all of chapter 53 (Mosiah 12:21-24; 14; 15).
- Jesus quotes and explains most of Isaiah 52 during His ministry among Lehi’s descendants and then quotes all of chapter 54 (3 Nephi 16:18-20; 20; 21; 22).
- In the final verses of the Book of Mormon, Moroni again quotes Isaiah, merging phrases from Isaiah 52:1-2 and 54:2, placing both admonitions within the context of God’s covenants, just as Isaiah does in 54:10 (Moroni 10:31).
And there are many smaller allusions to the content of these chapters, including Lehi admonishing his sons to “awake” and “shake off the chains” which bind them (2 Nephi 1:13, 23; see Isaiah 52:1-2), Alma warning the people of Zarahemla to separate themselves from the wicked and “touch not their unclean things” (Alma 5:57; see Isaiah 52:11), and Mormon praising the sons of Mosiah, “for they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth” (Mosiah 27:37; see Isaiah 52:7).
By the time Moroni shares that final quote merging Isaiah 52 and 54, the reader has heard these chapters referenced numerous times. He seems to be telling the reader that these chapters contain the heart of the Book of Mormon message: Your chains have been removed by Christ. You are now empowered to arise, shake off the dust, and flourish. Accept the gift. Let God fulfill His covenant.
This week, as we study Isaiah 50-57, let’s find that message in Isaiah’s words. Let’s seek to better understand the Savior’s atoning sacrifice and how we can joyfully receive the gift.
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