What Happens
"The stem of Jesse (Christ) will judge in righteousness—The knowledge of God will cover the earth in the Millennium—The Lord will raise an ensign and gather Israel—Compare Isaiah 11."
2 Nephi 21 Chapter Heading
Commentary
In our last episode, we were reading some Isaiah that Nephi wanted to share with us, including warnings about corruption and war, and a reminder to stay upon the Lord.
This chapter begins with a prophecy of Christ, and there is a lot of great stuff here. Right off, we learn a lot about the spirit of the Lord, that it is also the spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, etc. Which we kind of already knew, but I like when it breaks it down like that, so we can remember why we need the spirit in our lives so much.
I really like the statements in verse three about not judging by sight or hearing. That is so opposite from what we learn in the world, and important to remember. God can see so much further than we can, and he can hear the yearnings of the soul. Our mortal senses are inadequate measures with which to judge, and we need to trust God in that regard, like Christ did, as he is the one referred to here.
There is an interesting balance in verse 4 between helping the poor and the meek, and smiting and slaying the wicked. To me it seems like one necessitates the other. That, however unfortunate, the poor and the meek will never be treated justly until the wicked are slain. That's actually a sad condemnation of us as humans... that we can't actually find a way to treat each other decently and stop the corruption. But thankfully, God will, "even if it so be as by fire" (1 Nephi 22:17).
Verse 5 talks about being clothed with righteousness and faithfulness. I kind of like that idea, of having those things wrapped around you all the time... that that is what you choose to wear every morning, your favorite outfit, and choosing that clean and bright clothing over that dirty souvenir T-shirt from the bad choices in your life. :)
The ideas in verses 6-9, talking about even wild animals being at peace with each other and "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" is crazy cool. The knowledge of the Lord doesn't just affect us in our brains, but in our whole beings. It isn't just an intellectual knowing, but on a whole other level, where the wild animals and the winds and the waves and the whole earth and universe respond to it. We think so shallowly about God sometimes, only about what *we* think about him, and how he affects our personal lives, but this is bigger than that, and it always has been. A good thing to think on.
Another thing I like in verse nine is that phrase "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." I love that idea... of the knowledge of God flooding our lives and filling every crevice and hiding place... that there will be no place to go that will be away from him, but that every word and conversation and taste and breath will be of him... I really love that idea of breathing in the spirit instead of air. :) I am sure that it would be better for us... and fill us too, with love and indescribable happiness.
Verses 10-12 talk about Christ recovering the Lord's people from wherever they are throughout the world. I love verse 12 and "the outcasts of Israel." The whole idea of gathering what was scattered, from wherever they are in the earth, and restoring his people reminds us that he is going to forgive and renew his covenant with all of us, and how merciful and gracious he is to give us that chance to repent and change.
Verse 13 seems to be saying that all of the Lord's people will be united in that day, not fighting or envying each other, and that their adversaries will be cut off... basically, as usual, the Lord uniting us and fighting our battles. :) Honestly, this whole chapter is interesting and good, but this might be my favorite part, and I look forward to the day when we aren't fighting about religion, but instead fighting for God.
The last couple of verses reminds us of some miracles that have gone before, talking about smiting the Egyptian sea and making "men go over dry shod" and comparing saving the remnant of his people to bringing the Israelites out of Egypt. I just hope that in the last days when these miracles are repeated, we are less hard-hearted than our predecessors, and less quick to complain. :)
Tune in next time as we continue reading the Isaiah chapters that Nephi picked out for us.
"The stem of Jesse (Christ) will judge in righteousness—The knowledge of God will cover the earth in the Millennium—The Lord will raise an ensign and gather Israel—Compare Isaiah 11."
2 Nephi 21 Chapter Heading
Commentary
In our last episode, we were reading some Isaiah that Nephi wanted to share with us, including warnings about corruption and war, and a reminder to stay upon the Lord.
This chapter begins with a prophecy of Christ, and there is a lot of great stuff here. Right off, we learn a lot about the spirit of the Lord, that it is also the spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, etc. Which we kind of already knew, but I like when it breaks it down like that, so we can remember why we need the spirit in our lives so much.
I really like the statements in verse three about not judging by sight or hearing. That is so opposite from what we learn in the world, and important to remember. God can see so much further than we can, and he can hear the yearnings of the soul. Our mortal senses are inadequate measures with which to judge, and we need to trust God in that regard, like Christ did, as he is the one referred to here.
There is an interesting balance in verse 4 between helping the poor and the meek, and smiting and slaying the wicked. To me it seems like one necessitates the other. That, however unfortunate, the poor and the meek will never be treated justly until the wicked are slain. That's actually a sad condemnation of us as humans... that we can't actually find a way to treat each other decently and stop the corruption. But thankfully, God will, "even if it so be as by fire" (1 Nephi 22:17).
Verse 5 talks about being clothed with righteousness and faithfulness. I kind of like that idea, of having those things wrapped around you all the time... that that is what you choose to wear every morning, your favorite outfit, and choosing that clean and bright clothing over that dirty souvenir T-shirt from the bad choices in your life. :)
The ideas in verses 6-9, talking about even wild animals being at peace with each other and "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" is crazy cool. The knowledge of the Lord doesn't just affect us in our brains, but in our whole beings. It isn't just an intellectual knowing, but on a whole other level, where the wild animals and the winds and the waves and the whole earth and universe respond to it. We think so shallowly about God sometimes, only about what *we* think about him, and how he affects our personal lives, but this is bigger than that, and it always has been. A good thing to think on.
Another thing I like in verse nine is that phrase "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." I love that idea... of the knowledge of God flooding our lives and filling every crevice and hiding place... that there will be no place to go that will be away from him, but that every word and conversation and taste and breath will be of him... I really love that idea of breathing in the spirit instead of air. :) I am sure that it would be better for us... and fill us too, with love and indescribable happiness.
Verses 10-12 talk about Christ recovering the Lord's people from wherever they are throughout the world. I love verse 12 and "the outcasts of Israel." The whole idea of gathering what was scattered, from wherever they are in the earth, and restoring his people reminds us that he is going to forgive and renew his covenant with all of us, and how merciful and gracious he is to give us that chance to repent and change.
Verse 13 seems to be saying that all of the Lord's people will be united in that day, not fighting or envying each other, and that their adversaries will be cut off... basically, as usual, the Lord uniting us and fighting our battles. :) Honestly, this whole chapter is interesting and good, but this might be my favorite part, and I look forward to the day when we aren't fighting about religion, but instead fighting for God.
The last couple of verses reminds us of some miracles that have gone before, talking about smiting the Egyptian sea and making "men go over dry shod" and comparing saving the remnant of his people to bringing the Israelites out of Egypt. I just hope that in the last days when these miracles are repeated, we are less hard-hearted than our predecessors, and less quick to complain. :)
Tune in next time as we continue reading the Isaiah chapters that Nephi picked out for us.
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