Post by Nephi –
As the writings of Isaiah continue, he again delivers a prophecy that has multiple references. The first of which we have certainly seen fulfilled, maybe even twice. The second fulfillment – the one that is important to you who are reading this blog – is the one I want to dwell on here. I will however touch on the first fulfillment briefly. As I do, please relate the social and political conditions to your own times and seasons, for I am certain there are direct parallels.
Isaiah begins by warning leaders that “decree unrighteous decrees,” in other words those that create unjust laws that serve the rich and powerful but prey upon the weak, such as the fatherless and widows. These leaders are responsible for oppressive laws.
This was the condition in which the apostate Israelites were living when Isaiah made this declaration. We saw the Lord permit Assyria to war against the Israelites, yet much of this prophecy is about the destruction of Assyria.
The day of the Lord’s judgement will certainly come just as we saw it with the Assyrians. In the latter-days the judgement will be repeated.
There is absolutely no escape. Isaiah says it like this: “And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?” The Lord will not deliver the wicked. “Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.” Power, riches and position will mean nothing. The wicked will be brought down.
Isaiah talks about the boasting of the King of the Assyrians. Little did the king know he was merely an instrument in the hands of the Lord to punish His wicked children. The king boasted that since he had conquered kingdoms that worshiped idols greater than the gods of Israel, Israel would be easy to destroy.
Isaiah makes it clear that after the Lord permits Assyria to perform the Lord’s work in punishing the wicked inhabitants in Jerusalem, the Lord will punish the King of Assyria.
The king boasts of his own strength, his own prudence, his own shrewdness in war and plunder and his own wisdom. Isaiah then likens the king to an ax, a saw, a rod and a staff. The king boasts of his own power yet is like an ax. The ax cannot do anything on its own. The Assyrian King cannot do anything on his own either. All his success is due to the fact that the Lord is using him to punish the wicked. Isaiah is again poetic as he describes this foolish pride. ” Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood!
Here is where I want you to really pay attention. Once Assyria had done the Lord’s bidding in destroying the wicked of Israel, Isaiah describes how the destruction of Assyria would be carried out. This same destruction will take place in the latter-days. Many of you reading this blog may personally witness this future destruction.
I will use Isaiah’s words as much as possible. First the Lord will remove the prosperity from among them. The wicked ones described as briers and thorns will be burned in one day. So few people will be left after the destruction that Isaiah says a “child may write them.” If a child can count those remaining after the destruction, it is easy to see why the Lord will need to use fire to destroy the great numbers of the wicked.
Finally the remnant of Israel, those remaining, will rely on the Holy One of Israel. They shall return unto Mighty God. In other words, the Lord will destroy the wicked, punish Assyria and then remain with open arms to His repentant people.
Throughout history, God has delivered His people from great armies and great oppression. Just as the Lord delivered Moses and the children of Israel from Pharaoh, He will eventually deliver his repentant children from the Assyrians. Though the countless accounts of God’s mercy in delivering His children from physical bondage and captivity, the important deliverance we need to see in all these examples is a type of the great deliverance from spiritual captivity. As you look to the Latter-days and the fulfillment of the prophecy of the destruction of the wicked, the pattern is identical. God will deliver the repentant and will destroy the proud. Through His Son Jesus Christ and the great sacrifice He will make, we may all be delivered.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 20:1- 34)
