Post by Jacob –
I am pretty sure I won’t be the only contributor to this blog who will quote Isaiah’s writings. There is so much that he spoke, prophesied, wrote and taught. I wouldn’t be surprised if other prophets from other dispensations in other lands will also quote Isaiah. The reason for Isaiah’s popularity among the prophets may be because a few themes pervade his writings.
First is God’s relationship with His covenant people. Isaiah talks in great detail concerning the covenants, a great apostasy, a scattering and the oppression of the house of Israel, a latter-day gathering of their descendents and a restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and an establishment of Zion in a future day. This future restoration includes the coming forth of our record of God’s dealing with our people and the destruction of the wicked before the coming of the millennial Messiah and an era of peace that will follow the Savior’s return.
Second is the calling all prophets have and that is to declare the judgments of God. Isaiah was quite articulate in making sure everyone who receives his writings may know the judgments of God. Isaiah called all nations to repent of their sins and come to the Lord. Isaiah prophesied impending judgment on Judah and Jerusalem, Syria and Ephraim, Assyria and Babylon. Even while Isaiah was still ministering, these judgments against Syria, Ephraim and Assyria were fulfilled. Jerusalem was destroyed during my lifetime. It makes perfect sense to use Isaiah’s prophesies to demonstrate to everyone who ever reads this blog, or who reads other records of Isaiah’s writings, that all his future prophesies will also surely come to pass.
Third and what I find to be the most exciting thing found in Isaiah’s writings, are his Messianic prophesies. Isaiah delivered the message of greatest importance to me. He taught of the coming of Christ. There is no other message of such importance. His objective is to more fully persuade us to believe in the Lord our Redeemer. Because Isaiah, Nephi and I have all seen the Lord, our souls delight in Isaiah’s words. We strive with all our hearts to prove to our people, the truth of the coming of the Christ. The great promise of a Savior should cause all men to rejoice and lift up our hearts.
And fourth, because we are all curious about the future, Isaiah’s writings have particular interest to those of us who look forward. Isaiah spoke of the Lord’s work in the latter-days. He spoke of wars, the significance of temples, the second coming of Jesus Christ, a millennial era, the coming forth of other witnesses of Christ, the downfall of a spiritual Babylon, the gathering of Israel.
In future blogs as I explore Isaiah’s specific writings, I hope I can be clear in my assessment of what Isaiah is talking to us about. Nephi will certainly help with our understanding. Yet I don’t believe that Isaiah’s writings were meant to be easy to understand. I feel that as I search his writings, much of his message will come to me, specifically for me, through the inspiration of the spirit and without a sincere effort to search, I will not receive the message God has for me.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 6 – 24)
