Side details tell stories in themselves: the heavens are clothed with sackcloth? (See verse 3) We travel in space now. We send rovers to Mars. Yet what, if we could see it, is really being kept from our view?
How do I “encompass myself about in sparks” instead of relying on the true source of light? (see verse 11) That light is so much brighter. It is real light, not pretended sparks. Do I believe that I am following Jesus Christ and yet still am walking in darkness? (see verse 10)
I am not sure if this next line of thought pertains to this chapter particularly, but a residue of Sunday impressions and other thoughts are crowding into me head presently, petitioning my consideration: We have recently acquired an art print of the story of the woman taken in adultery to be judged of Christ. In it she is surrounded by the symbol of those who would judge and condemn her to death. I find it interesting that of those found committing the most serious of transgressions, the thing that they are surrounded with, or maybe even the thing that they are most worried about themselves are the judgments of others. Why are these two things (false judgment and serious sin) coupled together?
There is another thought, not unrelated (that I don’t recall from where it originated yesterday), that bids me to consider who’s praise do I seek.
The Lord God Hath Given Me the Tongue of the Learned
This statement found in verse 4 is footnoted to several other statements given to disciples wherein they instructed to “take not thought” beforehand as to what we should say when we are brought to bear testimony of the truth before men. The Doctrine and Covenants gives the added instruction to treasure up the words of life and then it will be given to us, in the moment that we need it, that part of the word that we are to share.
Near the end of the chapter, Isaiah makes this wise observation: If you have feared God and obeyed the counsel of His servants (the prophets), do you still walk in darkness and without light? If this be so, the remedy is sure: trust in the name of the Lord (who is Jesus Christ) and be supported, held up, sustained or whatever makes sense in your head, by your God. (See verse 10)
You cannot follow Christ and remain in darkness.
In matters of developing a relationship with Christ, and understanding Him and His nature there are key insights here that I’m overlooking. I will spend one more day here.
Here is that “one more day”:
So much of this chapter is written in the first person, with Christ being He whom Isaiah is writing for. Christ is bold in the face of opposition, but its more than this. As I think about Christ understanding his purpose in establishing peace, the requirement to face opposition is essential, because the opposite of peace is contention. Therefore, I should not hide from that which may produce a contentious response, if I understand that my purpose is with Christ to establish peace.
To bridge the chasm between life and death, to establish the order of peace where there is chaos and contention, requires being willing to do as Christ did:
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
Verses 6 & 7