2 Nephi 18

Read Online

Here's some great stuff I found out of the LDS Institute manual that helped shed some light for me on this chapter:




2 Nephi 18. Assyria, the Lord’s Instrument
• Chapter 18 of 2 Nephi is a continuation of the
historical events introduced in chapter 17. Again,
Isaiah warned Judah against alliances because, as he
prophesied, they would be ineffective. The messianic
promise of Immanuel (“God with us”) would prevail
in their behalf. The Assyrian invasion would come, but
Judah would still survive. Isaiah concluded his writing
with a warning against the false teachings and practices
that would pull Judah away from the commandments
that had been revealed to them.

2 Nephi 18:1. Maher-shalal-hash-baz
• The name of Isaiah’s son, Maher-shalal-hash-baz,
means “destruction is imminent” (see 2 Nephi 20:6).
The name likely symbolizes Assyria coming to destroy
Israel (see Isaiah 8:1d).

2 Nephi 18:3. Prophetess
• The term prophetess refers to Isaiah’s wife. She may
have had prophetic ability, and her son is probably
the initial fulfillment


2 Nephi 18:4. “Knowledge to Cry”
• The description “the child shall not have knowledge
to cry, My father, and my mother” refers to Isaiah’s
son Maher-shalal-hash-baz at about the age of two. By
732 B.C. Syria and the northern part of Samaria (Israel)
were destroyed by Assyria. Israel was not completely
conquered until 722 B.C.


2 Nephi 18:14. A Sanctuary, “a Stone of
Stumbling”
• Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles noted the ability of “Immanuel”
to both save and condemn: “When the stone of Israel
comes, he shall be a sanctuary for the righteous;
they shall find peace and safety under the shelter
of his gospel; but he shall be a Stone of Stumbling
and a Rock of Offense (as also a gin and a snare)
to the rebellious and disobedient in Jerusalem and
in all Israel. They shall stumble and fall because of
him; they shall take offense because of his teachings
and be condemned and broken and snared and
taken for rejecting them” (Doctrinal New Testament
Commentary, 3 vols. [1971–73], 3:292–93).


This sentence jumped out at me, especially after I read the commentary that goes with it:



2 Nephi 18:17. “I Will Wait upon the Lord”
• Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles spoke of the spiritual strength that follows
when we place our trust in the Lord:
“As we put our faith and trust in the Lord, we must
battle our pain day by day and sometimes hour by
hour, even moment by moment; but in the end,
we understand that marvelous counsel given to the
Prophet Joseph Smith as he struggled with his pain of
feeling forgotten and isolated in Liberty Jail:
“‘My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and
thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
“‘And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on
high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes’ (D&C 121:7–8).
“My dear brothers and sisters, when pain, tests, and
trials come in life, draw near to the Savior. ‘Wait
upon the Lord, . . . look for him’ (Isaiah 8:17; 2 Nephi
18:17). ‘They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they
shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and
not faint’ (Isaiah 40:31). Healing comes in the Lord’s
time and the Lord’s way; be patient” (in Conference
Report, Oct. 1998, 19; or Ensign,
Nov. 1998, 17).



The rest of great tid-bits like these cold be found here.