Isaiahic Territory

Okay- This is where this blog is going to get sticky. We are entering Isaiahic territory now. For a good part of Second Nephi, Nephi and Jacob preach and copy from the writings of Isaiah. And the problem with just blogging Isaiah is that each verse is so rich, it could be its own entry, which actually might make a lovely idea for a follow up blog starting around the new year. However, in this blog, it doesn't really help, so to deal with it, I am going to summarize as best as possible and perhaps pick out a theme or half a one to talk about. If that means you all think I am cheating... well, it is because I kind of am. Oh well, repenting is becoming a favorite hobby of mine.

When we left off, Jacob was preaching out of Isaiah, and in chapter 8, I think he still is. It is a little unclear actually. He was preaching to the people, and then 2 or three chapters of Isaiah seem just stuck in and then we get back to him preaching again. He seems to be reading straight out of Isaiah to them.

Overall, I must say, Isaiah has a great of way of making you feel wonderful and terrible at the same time. He is always saying things like you are lower than the dust, but no worries, because the lord is so merciful and he thinks you are great. Chapter 8 starts out with a gem of his, "Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness. Look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit from whence ye are digged." Quite the confidence booster, isn't it? And he was only saying that to the people TRYING. Not to the others who are ignoring him.

I think Isaiah is always talking about being a covenant people, but in this he is also talking about where you put your priorities. Do you treasure the opinion of men above the opinion of God? Where do you put your trust? Those who trust in the Lord will receive an eternal happiness. Those who don't? Well... it ain't so good. And throughout it the Lord is begging us, pleading and reasoning with us to choose the better part. He is talking to us individually, but also as a people and as a recoginition of what will encompass the gathering of Israel.

Jacob steps back in at the beginning of 9 to teach the people about the gathering of Israel in the last days, and he makes it clear that they will be gathered to the "lands" of their inheritence. A plural indicates more than one, so this isn't just about Jews gathering to Jerusalem. Here Jacob explains the need for the atonement of the Savior and the part it plays in the greater plan of salvation. Jacob outlines the entire plan in these passages: how we had to have the fall, but that made us vulnerable to both death of the body and spiritual death, or being out of God's presense forever. He explains how the resurrection and atonement of the Savior calls us forth out of these deaths and provides hope for our return to live with God, if we live the commandments. Jacob then starts a laundry list of all the ways we can still screw up and lose out on the gift of the atonement, and like most lists of sins and their consequences, it doesn't exactly make you want to sing. Let's just say there are a lot of Wo's. Wo's to woes. And that gets me wondering, what the heck is going on in Nephi?? I mean, they are 40 years out, and they are preaching to the choir. What has the choir been up to? Ouch!

But Jacob ends hopefully. He pleads for their preparation for a glorious day, when they shall receive the rewards of eternal happiness. He is downright sunny as he ends and tells them to let their hearts rejoice and to be grateful for God's many mercies.

At the very last, he either is worn out and can't continue or he notices that they are, because he reserves part of his talk for the next day. Think I will too.