2 Nephi 7
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**A bit of housekeeping- I've had to add word recognition when posting a comment due to the growing amount of spam comments I am getting on my blog. Sorry of the inconvenience.**
In 2 Nephi chapters 6 - 10 is recorded a 2-day sermon by Jacob, who had been set apart as a teacher, to the Nephites. Much of his sermon was quoting Isaiah, which they had access to in the brass plates. Thus this chapter isn't the words of Jacob, but the words of Isaiah.
I love this chapter. Love, love, love it.
To me, it is broken up into two parts: Verses 1-3, which Isaiah quoting the Lord. Verses 4-1, which is Isaiah speaking.
Verses 1-3 rang so true that I had goosebumps as I read. It is the Lord, our Savior, saying to us: I haven't turned you away. You have turned me away. And though I have the power to deliver, I cannot, if you don't want to be delivered.
His plea was so poignant, His sorrow so real.
"Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever?" Am I the one who sent you away?
"Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves." No, you chose sin over me. You left me.
"Wherefore, when I came, there was no man; when I called, yea, there was none to answer." I am actively seeking you out, but you are not there.
"O, Israel, is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver?" I have the power to redeem you, but only if you choose me.
The Lord then speaks in vv 2-3 about his power.
These verses are filled with so much angst and love and sorrow. He loves us so very much. The Savior gave all the He was, is, and has, just to give us the chance to benefit from His sacrifice. He has done His part,and now all He can do is watch some of us accept His gift and redemption, and, painfully, watch many others simply turn Him away.
What a helpless feeling, to do all that you can do, leaving the rest up to us, and we simply refuse Him. To be that powerful to move mountains and dry up oceans, and yet, He cannot move us. Not that He would if He could. He cannot force redemption on us. He won't. But that doesn't make it any easier for Him to witness rejection, and see us hurting ourselves.
So, He pleads with us, He watches us, He helps us, He loves us, and He hopes that we partake of the blessings of His Atonement in our lives.
It must be so hard for Him to watch us hurt ourselves. I had a conversation with a person the other day who is struggling with addiction. Finally this person admitted they didn't want to let go of the addiction because it defined them, and it was the only reason people loved them. It broke my heart. They wanted the attention from people over redemption through the Savior. And there is nothing I, or even the Savior, can do for this person. They have sold themselves for iniquity. It's just so sad.
To me, the sweet love and concern of the Savior is here in these first three verses as I have never read them before. And it truly brought tears to my eyes.
Verses 4-9 seem to have double meaning- which Isaiah did in much of his writing. First, it can be read as a prophesy of the last days of the Savior. The way He taught, was obedient and was beaten. It could also be read as Isaiah speaking about himself and his calling and experience as a prophet.
Verses 10-11 have a great message about people who 'walk in the light' of their own fire. Meaning, they lean on their own understanding, and not the understanding or light of God.
We know that the Savior is the light of the world, and it is only His light that illuminates the way to eternal life.
Beautiful chapter. Just beautiful!!
**A bit of housekeeping- I've had to add word recognition when posting a comment due to the growing amount of spam comments I am getting on my blog. Sorry of the inconvenience.**
In 2 Nephi chapters 6 - 10 is recorded a 2-day sermon by Jacob, who had been set apart as a teacher, to the Nephites. Much of his sermon was quoting Isaiah, which they had access to in the brass plates. Thus this chapter isn't the words of Jacob, but the words of Isaiah.
I love this chapter. Love, love, love it.
To me, it is broken up into two parts: Verses 1-3, which Isaiah quoting the Lord. Verses 4-1, which is Isaiah speaking.
Verses 1-3 rang so true that I had goosebumps as I read. It is the Lord, our Savior, saying to us: I haven't turned you away. You have turned me away. And though I have the power to deliver, I cannot, if you don't want to be delivered.
His plea was so poignant, His sorrow so real.
"Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever?" Am I the one who sent you away?
"Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves." No, you chose sin over me. You left me.
"Wherefore, when I came, there was no man; when I called, yea, there was none to answer." I am actively seeking you out, but you are not there.
"O, Israel, is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver?" I have the power to redeem you, but only if you choose me.
The Lord then speaks in vv 2-3 about his power.
These verses are filled with so much angst and love and sorrow. He loves us so very much. The Savior gave all the He was, is, and has, just to give us the chance to benefit from His sacrifice. He has done His part,and now all He can do is watch some of us accept His gift and redemption, and, painfully, watch many others simply turn Him away.
What a helpless feeling, to do all that you can do, leaving the rest up to us, and we simply refuse Him. To be that powerful to move mountains and dry up oceans, and yet, He cannot move us. Not that He would if He could. He cannot force redemption on us. He won't. But that doesn't make it any easier for Him to witness rejection, and see us hurting ourselves.
So, He pleads with us, He watches us, He helps us, He loves us, and He hopes that we partake of the blessings of His Atonement in our lives.
It must be so hard for Him to watch us hurt ourselves. I had a conversation with a person the other day who is struggling with addiction. Finally this person admitted they didn't want to let go of the addiction because it defined them, and it was the only reason people loved them. It broke my heart. They wanted the attention from people over redemption through the Savior. And there is nothing I, or even the Savior, can do for this person. They have sold themselves for iniquity. It's just so sad.
To me, the sweet love and concern of the Savior is here in these first three verses as I have never read them before. And it truly brought tears to my eyes.
Verses 4-9 seem to have double meaning- which Isaiah did in much of his writing. First, it can be read as a prophesy of the last days of the Savior. The way He taught, was obedient and was beaten. It could also be read as Isaiah speaking about himself and his calling and experience as a prophet.
Verses 10-11 have a great message about people who 'walk in the light' of their own fire. Meaning, they lean on their own understanding, and not the understanding or light of God.
We know that the Savior is the light of the world, and it is only His light that illuminates the way to eternal life.
Beautiful chapter. Just beautiful!!
This chapterhas a favorite verse, 7; For the Lord will help me. I know He will & does. I am so grateful for His carrying me, the comfort and strength He gives me.
ReplyDeleteThe great message of humility here is very tender h pointed.
My take home... Be an example of good. We can turn from God but He won't turn from us... if we are believing in Him and working in the right direction. Gives me comfort to know even when I stumble, if I am still facing the right direction- My Savior is there for me.
ReplyDelete