I have read through this last few chapters with clarity and ease of understanding. Why? Surely the Spirit of the Lord is upon me in these days, but I feel that I have done little, nay, nothing to merit such a blessing. So it is with the Lord.
Continuing with the theme of contrast between God and the graven images of men’s creation, the Lord illustrates again how He is able to sustain Israel through famine and drought. He continues to address the folly of those men who will craft such idols and fix their worship upon them. The Lord concludes this chapter with a wonderful reminder to Israel of their redemption:
…I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
Verses 21-22
New day, I’m re-reading this chapter again. The first thing that strikes me as curious is the distinct relationship between Jacob (Israel) and the Lord. Jacob is called His servant. So the inherent relationship expected of the Lord is that Jacob will do the Lord’s work, not just believe in Him as the Christ or our Redeemer, those of the House of Israel are to do something with our faith in Him, we are to do His work.
Another new day, I am sitting with the verses 3 – 5. Isaiah says that the Lord will pour out water to them that are thirsty. The dry ground shall be covered as with a flood. That’s not a small amount of water. And then he starts talking about posterity and the children and how the Lord’s blessing will be upon the children, so much so that they will want to take Christ’s name upon themselves.
There are two responses that I have to this. The first is: Yes, of course this is happening. This has happened. The second is a call to action. It is a stirring reminder of the work that is yet to be performed. It is up to me to publish the Good news to my own children and to as many others as will believe.
At the end of the chapter, I am hearing the same voice that is found in Section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants, that is the voice of Christ stating that he will “[confirm] the words of his servant.” And I know this. I absolutely know this is true.