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© AVTG. Image from BigStockPhotos.com.
Editor’s
note: This article, by the author of Isaiah for Airheads, is the
third of a three-part guide to the inner workings of the book of
Isaiah. Read part 1 here,
and part 2 here. For a more complete
“tree by tree, branch by branch” and “leaf by
leaf” commentary on each of the Isaiah chapters in the Book
of Mormon, see the author’s Isaiah
for Airheads.
2 Nephi 12 – The Mountain
of the Lord’s House
Overview in one Paragraph:
In the last days, the mountain of
the Lord’s house will be established in the top of the mountains,
where the all nations will receive instruction from the Lord.
The Lord will judge the nations. In the millennial day, and people
will turn from war to peace. The Lord invites Israel to walk in
the light. Israel has given in to pride, materialism and idol
worship. The day of the Lord is coming which will humble all the
proud and mighty. Israel is commanded to stop relying on man,
and rely on God.
2 Nephi 13 – Hearken,
Daughters of Zion
Overview in one Paragraph:
When Judah falls, men with skill
and leadership will be taken away, leaving only the young and
inexperienced to rule. The people have brought this punishment
upon themselves because they have provoked the Lord and oppressed
each other. The daughters of Zion (another metaphor for the people
of Judah) are obsessed with appearance and fashion (attracting
other lovers), but they will be humbled like slaves, and their
men will perish in wars.
2 Nephi 14 – The Branch
of the Lord, Glorious and Beautiful
Overview in one Paragraph:
In the millennial day, a holy people
will be established in Zion, and Jerusalem will be glorified.
2 Nephi 15 – Parable
of the Vineyard
Overview in one Paragraph:
The Lord plants his vineyard, and
does everything he can for it, but it brings forth wild fruit.
The Lord forsakes the vineyard and allows it to be taken over.
Sins of vanity, materialism, drunkenness and dishonesty describe
the behavior of the Lord’s people. Covenant Israel in Isaiah’s
time will be scattered, modern Israel will be gathered.
2 Nephi 16 – See, Hear,
Understand and Be Healed
Overview in one Paragraph:
This is Isaiah’s call to be
a prophet. Isaiah sees the Lord upon his throne. He feels unqualified
but is cleansed, and offers “Here am I, send me.”
The people will harden their hearts against his message, but he
must continue to cry repentance. Eventually a remnant of the House
of Israel will return from captivity.
2 Nephi 17 – The Immanuel
Prophecy
Overview in one Paragraph:
The kingdom of Syria and the kingdom
of Israel (here referred to as Ephraim, the dominant tribe) threaten
to war against the kingdom of Judah if she will not join their
alliance against the Assyrians. Isaiah prophecies to the King
of Judah (Ahaz) that the alliance will fall, and offers to give
Ahaz a sign. Ahaz refuses, but Isaiah gives the sign anyway, that
a virgin will conceive and bring forth a son called Immanuel,
but before the child reaches the age of accountability, the alliance
of Syria and Israel will be broken (a dual prophecy of perhaps
Isaiah’s son, and a later Immanuel). If Ahaz refuses to
believe the Lord, Judah will be invaded by the Assyrians and the
Egyptians; inhabitants will be captured and humiliated leaving
once productive farmland to become land for hunting and grazing.
2 Nephi 18 – Cornerstone
of Stumbling Block?
Overview in one paragraph:
Isaiah’s son is given a name
which means “destruction is imminent.” Because the
kingdom of Judah refuses the leadership of the Lord, but seeks
worldly alliances, they will fall. The Lord will be a sanctuary
for those who choose him to rule over them, but a stumbling block
to those who reject him. Those who seek wisdom from wizards and
familiar spirits (mediums) will receive darkness.
2 Nephi 19 – Those in
Darkness See a Great Light
Overview in one paragraph:
The "dimness" mentioned
in the last verse of the previous chapter will not last forever.
Those in darkness will see a great light (spiritual darkness of
apostasy, emotional darkness from wars fought in that area, physical
darkness of the black basalt rocks in that area). The areas referred
to in this chapter as Naphtali and Zebulun (lands given to two
of the tribes of Israel) will become Galilee where Jesus, the
"light of the world" spent much of his ministry. A Son,
the Messiah, will be born and rule with justice forever. Judgments
are pronounced against the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
(Note – the three preceding
chapters all refer to a son being born. Some scholars view it in
this way:
2 Nephi 17, The Immanuel Prophecy;
2 Nephi 18, The first fulfillment (Isaiah’s son, Maher-shalal-hash-baz),
2 Nephi 19, The modern fulfillment, Jesus Christ.
2 Nephi 20 – Tools
in God’s Hand
Overview in one paragraph:
Social injustices exist in the Northern
Kingdom of Israel. Assyria is an instrument in God’s hand
to punish Israel. God destroys Assyria, which is a type of the
destruction at the Second Coming. A remnant of Israel will return
in the last days. Assyria will march toward Jerusalem (in Judah)
causing terror, but Jehovah will defend her. (fn BMRC, 376).
2 Nephi 21 – The Stem
and the Branch of Jesse
Overview in one paragraph:
In the future, the “stem”
(or descendant) of Jesse (the father of David), will be born (Jesus
Christ). He will judge righteously and destroy the wicked. In
the millennium, animals will lose their aggressiveness, and the
knowledge of the Lord will be worldwide. The Lord will raise an
ensign and gather Israel. Hostilities between Ephraim (the dominant
tribe in the Northern Kingdom of Israel) and the Kingdom of Judah
will cease as the gospel is taught.
2 Nephi 22 – Sing Unto
the Lord
Overview in one paragraph:
This chapter is fairly straightforward.
“In that day,” (in the millennium), all men will sing
this psalm or song of thanksgiving, praising the Lord whose anger
is turned away, and recognizing that He is the source of strength
and of salvation.
2 Nephi 23 – O Babylon
We Bid Thee Farewell
Overview in one paragraph:
The Lord will call his forces, and
Babylon will be destroyed. This prophecy is also foretelling events
in the last days before the Second Coming of Christ.
2 Nephi 24 – How Art
Thou Fallen, O Lucifer
Overview in one paragraph:
The Lord will still have mercy on
the house of Israel and restore them to their lands. The king
of Babylon is fallen and compared to Lucifer, the followers of
Lucifer will be left desolate. Assyria will also be defeated,
as will Palestina.
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