The Bricks Have Fallen Down

Wo unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn away the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they rob the fatherless.  The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars. (2 Nephi 19: 10)[1]

Ruins in Samaria - the Assyrian Attack

After 9-11-2001, this verse from Isaiah was quoted by several sources, including a senator and vice-presidential candidate.  It was used to express America’s resiliency and resolve in the face of what amounted to an attack on American soil. However, if everyone who quoted Isaiah that week had read the verse in context, they would have seen that this was not something to celebrate; the verse was not about resilience but arrogance in Israel. Just one verse earlier, Isaiah stated: All the people shall know … who say in the pride and stoutness of their heart . . .                                                                                                                                                    (2 Nephi 19: 9, 11)

 

9-11

Someone once said that you can prove or disprove most things by the Bible. While I do not agree with that statement, it does underscore the tendency of people to take one or two verses out of context and form opinions based only on that. Nephi taught that we must feast on the words of Christ. (2 Nephi 32: 3) Note that he did not say snack or nibble, but feast. 

Primary children sing a song that sums it up well: Search, Ponder, and Pray.[3]

            I love to read the holy scriptures, And every time I do,

            I feel the Spirit start to grow within my heart – A testimony that’s true.

            Search, ponder, and pray, Are the things that I must do.

            The Spirit will guide and deep inside, I’ll know the scriptures are true.

 

Challenge: search, ponder, and pray about the scriptures in their original context.  You will be amazed at the things the Spirit can teach. 

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[1] See Isaiah 9: 10

[2] The Northern Kingdom of Israel was indeed overrun and destroyed by Assyria not too many years later.

[3] Children’s Songbook, hymn 109; Jaclyn Thomas Milne and Carol Baker Black