WE TALK OF, REJOICE IN, PROPHESY ABOUT AND WRITE OF CHRIST

Some years ago, a former stake president challenged my husband and I to leave our testimonies in writing for our children.  He quoted this scripture from 2 Nephi 25: And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.(verse 26) It is to this end that I have written all of my adult life, whether books, stories, journals, and talks. I want my children to know that I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and immense gratitude for His infinite atoning sacrifice for me and for each of them.

I don't know how much of my writing my children and grandchildren have actually read.  I pray that they will return to my words after I am gone and know that I believe in Christ and His Gospel and I believe Christ has and will do everything he has promised.

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We are about to begin a new week and a new study challenge - more writings from the Book of Isaiah.  We are so blessed to have these verses in the Book of Mormon because prophets like Nephi and Jacob and others who quoted Isaiah take time to help their people (and, hence, us) understand the symbolism that floods Isaiah's prophecies.

In our study guide, we read the following: 

Nephi acknowledged that for some, “the words of Isaiah are not plain” (2 Nephi 25:4) . This can certainly be true for those who aren’t familiar with ancient Jewish culture and geography like Nephi was (see 2 Nephi 25:6)  But Nephi also gave counsel to help us find meaning in Isaiah’s writings. (Come Unto Christ, February 17-23) 

Nephi gave two key suggestions.  I have used both and can testify that they truly do help in understanding the messages of Isaiah.

Liken the scriptures to yourself (see 2 Nephi 11:2) Nephi's people who had never lived in Jerusalem, didn't understand the symbolic nature of Hebrew poetry and prophecy.  They didn't get the references to thinks that those from Jerusalem would have known.  Nephi asks us to do the same thing. We can learn about some of the poetic forms of Hebrew poetry, but more importantly, we can ask the Spirit to help us learn those things that are applicable to us in the 21st Century.

Seek to be filled the Spirit of Prophecy. (2 Nephi 25:4) These words were written under the Spirit and they require the presence of the Spirit to understand them.  It will be the Spirit who will tutor us in those things most beneficial in our lives.

Of all of the Isaiah verses quoted in the Book of Mormon,  out of  refer to Jesus Christ. The lesson challenges us as we read this week's assignments (and in all of Isaiah) that we look for symbols the represent Jesus Christ or Messianic Prophecy.

Chapter 17

• 14: a virgin shall conceive and shall bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel
• Chapter 19

• 3: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Ancient Nazareth

1: the dimness shall not be . . . in the land of  Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali 

 2: the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light (Study key: Nazareth of Galilee was part of the inheritance of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali 

Chapter 20

•  17: And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and His Holy One for a flame, and shall burn and shall devour his thorns and his briers in one day . . . 
• (Part of the curse at the Fall of Adam was thorns instead of fruits. Jesus Christ is the Light of Israel who shall atone for the fall.)
  

Chapter 22

2: Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.

6: . . . for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Chapter 23

 4: the Lord of Hosts

 6: the Almighty

Nebuchadnezzar, the Fallen King

Description of Satan from Chapter 24

12  How are thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!

13 For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation. . . 

14 . . . I will be like the Most High (the Most High is a reference to Jesus Christ)

15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell . . .

On a literal level, this set of verses refers to the fall of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, but on a symbolic level, it certainly describes he who is our adversary and is often used as a representation of Satan. I love the poet Milton's description of this event in his epic poem, Paradise Lost.

Now it is your turn.  What symbolic references can you find going forward?

© February 2020 Dr. Kathleen Rawlings Buntin Danielson

Speaking of my writing, I don't know if anyone is reading my blog.  I'd love to know if you are.  Thanks!