Skip to main content

Parsing Isaiah

I love Isaiah.

Let me just state that for the record. It's my mission president's fault (thanks, President Nielsen!). I have always loved the Book of Mormon, but growing up we skipped the "Isaiah chapters" because my parents thought (perhaps rightly) that they were a little dense. So it wasn't until my mission that I really grew to love Isaiah and the Old Testament. Let me offer a few things that I have gained from my study - things that have helped me come to this appreciation for Isaiah and his writing:

1. Isaiah is tough. He is very profound and deep in the doctrinal area. Most of what he says has multiple meanings and applications and symbols that are meaningful in many ways. No study of Isaiah should begin lightly - get yourself a good study manual (the Old Testament religion course book is very good) and prepare to spend a lot of time studying. But like a dog gnawing that bone for the delicious marrow inside, once you crack Isaiah you're in and it will become delicious and nourishing to your soul.

2. There are basically three Isaiahs, the first of which is the political Isaiah, speaking to the Jews of the time; the second is the Isaiah that speaks of the Messiah and the meridian of time, and the last Isaiah speaks of the latter-days, or the time in which we are currently living. Look to the chapter headings for cues as to which Isaiah you'll be reading. It's not always clear, and as mentioned above, much of the symbolism has multiple applications and meanings.

3. Be prepared to make it personal. Isaiah is really only as applicable today as we allow him to be. This is true of all the scriptures, but particularly of Isaiah. As you read Isaiah, actively look for ways to apply what he's talking about to our lives. This is what Nephi did (see 1 Nephi 19:23) and he was able to instill in his family a desire to come close to the Lord - to persuade them to believe in Christ.

4. Read the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon offers great insights into the Old Testament in general, but Isaiah in particular. The commentaries of Nephi, Jacob, and others, allows unique perspectives from people to whom Isaiah was not three thousand years distant, but someone more like Joseph Smith is for us. They also understood the geography, culture, and traditions much more than anyone alive today, so their ideas are particularly useful. And of course, the Savior Himself commanded us to search Isaiah to ponder the messages contained therein. Isaiah does bring people to Christ.

5. Pray. Seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This should be our pattern in all scripture study, but with regard to things in the gospel that are symbolic and beautiful, the meaning is made richer and greater by personal experiences with the scriptures and the symbols therein. Our relationship with the Lord will be made stronger as we search these holy books and seek to make them part of our lives.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Baptism

Yesterday Ellie was baptized. She turned eight on January 27, 2020, and she made the decision to be baptized. I want to tell you a little bit about Ellie. I have never met a child that is quite like Ellie. She is full of life and fire and joy and light. She knows no fear and is infectious in her passion for life and for goodness and for FUN!!! Above all things, she seeks the joy and fun in life. She is also wickedly clever and funny, she’s a delight to be around and makes everyone feel so good. Because she is happy, she wants everyone else to be happy. I first met sweet Elizabeth in 2018, and on the day I met her she was not feeling well. We decided that a movie would be a fun thing for a sick little girl, so I brought one of my favorites to share with her - The Neverending Story. When I got to the house, I picked her right up. It had been a very long time since I was able to pick up a girl, and she snuggled right into my arms. Her poor sick body was warm, but I was more impressed ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Excommunication

My heart is heavy this morning. I read that Kate Kelly and others are being brought up on Church disciplinary action. For those who are unfamiliar with the process/proceedings of LDS Church discipline, it can be a bit mystifying. There are several levels of censure that the Church may impose. These range from a simple removal of some privileges for a short period of time to the most severe action - excommunication. When one is excommunicated, the person's membership in the Church is terminated. It is a very extreme measure, and for the faithful it can be a very difficult thing to consider. What people don't understand - what is nearly impossible for someone outside the proceedings to understand - is the amount of love felt. It's discipline. It's intended to be harsh (at times). And it's intended to be unpleasant. But it is done with love and care for the person. Since excommunication is such an extreme measure, it is really only very rarely applied. There are ...
18 comments
Read more

Ephesus

Paul got around. Ephesus is right on the Aegean Sea, on the coast of present-day Turkey. Yesterday he was in Galatia, which was much more towards the middle of Turkey. And when he actually wrote these letters, he was in Rome... So the man could travel. He probably walked. Today's item of interest comes from chapter one in Ephesians. Verses 18 and 19 are particularly interesting: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power This is not the first time Paul talks about an inheritance. In Galatians he talks about the inheritance that comes of being part of the Abrahamic Covenant. He notes that we are joint-heirs through and with Christ. In Ephesians, he uses the word "adoption" - that we are adopted as the Children of Jesus Chris...
7 comments
Read more