2 Nephi 12
Read Online
Day six, three bags of cough drop, 700 ounces of water later - still sick :( Finally got a blessing from my husband last night, promising I'd be better soon. :)
The first day in the next nearly four weeks of Isaiah and prophecies Are you ready? Do you feel like your about to go into a foreign movie in a language you don't understand? You've heard good reviews, and now the premise, but can't understand a word they say?
Lol! There are part where I totally do! It's a good thing we've got friends that speak Isaiah's language to help me out. I tell you- his imagery is beautiful but, sometimes I read it and go, "Huh?"
BUT, the more I and study Isaiah, the more I understand. I'm excited to see what new things I learn this time around. It should be a fun month! I'm glad you're with me.
Onto to Isaiah...
It's interesting to compare the BoM Isaiah chapters to the Bible one. There are slight differences in vv 9-16, and 21-22. Proof of the plain and precious things that have been removed from the Bible over time and translation.
Verse 2 and 3 are about the restoration of the gospel, and of temples.
I love in verse 3, where it shows the two-way, symbiotic relationship we should have with the Lord: and HE will teach us of His ways, and WE will walk in His paths.
We are here working WITH the Lord, and through Him, for our salvation. We are not alone or lost. What a comforting feeling that is.
Then you read about all those that have chosen not to walk after His paths, either out of ignorance or rebellion. (and when you think about that, there really are only three states a person could ever live in: ignorance, obedience, or rebellion. Everyone on the earth falls into one of those three.)
Left to our own devices, without a Higher compass to guide us or law to define what is right, most of us would gravitate towards the middle of good, or lower. And, by Isaiah's prophecy, we can see that many will be lifted up in pride. I have written next to verse 22: Don't trust in the arm of flesh.
Our intentions may be good - and may even seem good and fair - but when our our moral code is different than the Lord's, no matter how righteous or good a cause we feel we fight for, it is a false cause. No matter what God we choose to dedicate our time and energy and love to (fame, wealth, fashion, slothfulness, alcohol, Facebook, etc.) if it is not Heavenly Father, it is a false worship and will profit us nothing eternally.
Men, left to their own devices are weak. But, when we see His ways, and walk in them, we are made strong.
I've always thought the iron rod was more that just a rod that led the way, but one that held in it power. And the moment you lay hold upon that rod, some of that power seeps into you. You are stronger, wiser, happier, better, because you choose to follow where the rod takes you, but also because the rod itself is making you so. Those improvements are a gift given to us. And when we take our hand off, we lose many of them.
Well, those are my little thoughts for the day. Hope you are all doing well!
Day six, three bags of cough drop, 700 ounces of water later - still sick :( Finally got a blessing from my husband last night, promising I'd be better soon. :)
The first day in the next nearly four weeks of Isaiah and prophecies Are you ready? Do you feel like your about to go into a foreign movie in a language you don't understand? You've heard good reviews, and now the premise, but can't understand a word they say?
Lol! There are part where I totally do! It's a good thing we've got friends that speak Isaiah's language to help me out. I tell you- his imagery is beautiful but, sometimes I read it and go, "Huh?"
BUT, the more I and study Isaiah, the more I understand. I'm excited to see what new things I learn this time around. It should be a fun month! I'm glad you're with me.
Onto to Isaiah...
It's interesting to compare the BoM Isaiah chapters to the Bible one. There are slight differences in vv 9-16, and 21-22. Proof of the plain and precious things that have been removed from the Bible over time and translation.
Verse 2 and 3 are about the restoration of the gospel, and of temples.
I love in verse 3, where it shows the two-way, symbiotic relationship we should have with the Lord: and HE will teach us of His ways, and WE will walk in His paths.
We are here working WITH the Lord, and through Him, for our salvation. We are not alone or lost. What a comforting feeling that is.
Then you read about all those that have chosen not to walk after His paths, either out of ignorance or rebellion. (and when you think about that, there really are only three states a person could ever live in: ignorance, obedience, or rebellion. Everyone on the earth falls into one of those three.)
Left to our own devices, without a Higher compass to guide us or law to define what is right, most of us would gravitate towards the middle of good, or lower. And, by Isaiah's prophecy, we can see that many will be lifted up in pride. I have written next to verse 22: Don't trust in the arm of flesh.
Our intentions may be good - and may even seem good and fair - but when our our moral code is different than the Lord's, no matter how righteous or good a cause we feel we fight for, it is a false cause. No matter what God we choose to dedicate our time and energy and love to (fame, wealth, fashion, slothfulness, alcohol, Facebook, etc.) if it is not Heavenly Father, it is a false worship and will profit us nothing eternally.
Men, left to their own devices are weak. But, when we see His ways, and walk in them, we are made strong.
I've always thought the iron rod was more that just a rod that led the way, but one that held in it power. And the moment you lay hold upon that rod, some of that power seeps into you. You are stronger, wiser, happier, better, because you choose to follow where the rod takes you, but also because the rod itself is making you so. Those improvements are a gift given to us. And when we take our hand off, we lose many of them.
Well, those are my little thoughts for the day. Hope you are all doing well!
This chapter is a great reminder to worship God and be humble. Even though it referes to gardening, vs 4 & workmanship of our own hands vs 8, both being good wholesome things, I will give praise & thanks to God for the opportunity to be a part of His creative process.
ReplyDeleteThis chapter also provides insights to personal & collective humility. interesting for our day.
The last few years I have come to love the Isaiah chapters, maybe because I ike to see them unfold and as I get older I appreciate his language.
Well, I, for one, get lost and confused in Isaiah. Thankfully I can pick out a few things to focus on as I am trying to get better at understanding him.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts for this chapter are hard to explain, but here goes... We are all commanded to be righteous. We are all judged individually for our own salvation. On the other hand, nations rise and fall based on the overall level of righteousness of the people of that nation. As a group, we can bring down condemnation on our heads.
I like the last verse. Cease ye from man... We cannot blindly rely on public opinion, public education, or even the pulpit... we must be in tune with the spirit to have the truths, or lack thereof, witnessed to us as we filter through the things people say and/or teach.