"Freely ye have received, freely give." -Matthew 10:8
Isaiah 39 In my initial reading of this chapter, assuming that I am reading correctly, there are four things that strike me as curious and odd about this passage: My understanding is that Hezekiah is a righteous king. If being righteous, why did he share with his Babylonian visitors a display of all his wealth? …
Continue reading “That He Might Know All that Was in His Heart”
Isaiah 33 Again continuing with prophecies of forthcoming events, Isaiah starts this chapter playing around with the theme of spoils. He first speaks of those who dedicate themselves to the spoiling of others, and decrees that such will become their end: spoiled and dealt with treacherously. But then Isaiah talks about the Lord’s spoils in …
Continue reading “Look Upon Zion, the City of Our Solemnities”
Isaiah 32 There is much to make note of in this chapter. This is another chapter of prophecy looking forward to the time preceding and at the Second Coming of our Lord. Christ is declared here as a King that shall reign in righteousness, with others serving around him as princes. This is a preview …
Isaiah 17 This chapter is an indictment against Israel. But it also is a warning against anyone that would oppress Israel. Hands off says the Lord! Israel is not to be punished to the benefit of other nations. These garden analogies are very poignant in my situation. I understand both the analogy and the real …
Isaiah 11 The opening of this chapter gives us a glimpse into the millennial reign of Christ. We find such paradoxical descriptions as a lamb and a lion lying down together being lead by a small child. (see vs. 6) There is also a brief description of how we will arrive at this state of …
Isaiah 3 First thought as I go into chapter 3 is how well organized was the Lord with his people. Ample provisions of leadership and judgment should have been a safety net for the people to keep them in the ways of righteousness. All these were taken away in their wickedness. Similarly, this is how …
Isaiah 1 This introductory chapter illustrates quite vividly the issues at hand: Israel has departed from righteousness, and has sold herself for sin. There is also here both and invitation to return and also the hopeful prophecy that Zion will be redeemed. Righteousness herein is defined as: Learning to do well Seeking judgment Relieving the …
3 Nephi 12:1-12 Additional Resources Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men’s goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not …
Helaman 13 The voice of the Lord comes to Samuel telling him to return to Zarhelma, and to “prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into his heart.” Notice the mode of communication! That which should come into his heart, that he should prophesy unto the people. A prophet standing on a city wall …
Helaman 11 I’ve been reading this passage of scripture for 3 days now. What have I been missing in my readings? The Lord and the proactive nature of the work of prophets. It is not normal for the Lord to intervene in the external affairs of man, but here is a prophet of God is …