Choice 2: Isaiah 1–4. Isaiah’s Teachings about the Last Days

(a)  Read Isaiah 1:2–14, 21–23, 30–31. List the images or symbols Isaiah used to describe the people of Judah and their sins. Read Isaiah 1:16–20 and explain in writing what Isaiah charged them to do to be forgiven of their sins. What does Isaiah 3:9–11 teach concerning the consequences of sin?

The children have rebelled.  Israel does not know or does not consider God.  They are a sinful nation.  They are a people laden with iniquity and a people of evildoers.  They are corrupt and have forsaken the Lord.  God is angry with them.  The country is desolate and taken over by others.  They worshipped graven images.  Israel is destroyed and scattered.  Israel will be gathered and blessed temporally and spiritually when the Lord comes.  The wicked will be destroyed.  The Lord will defend and preserve his people.  The children of Israel need to make themselves clean by putting away the evil doings, learn to do well, seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow, be willing and obedient.  The wicked will get the reward of his hands. 

(b)  Read Isaiah 2:1–5; institute student manual commentary for Isaiah 2:1–5, “In the Last Days ... the Mountain of the Lord’s House Shall Be Established” (pg. 138); commentary for Isaiah 2:3, “Out of Zion Shall Go Forth the Law ... the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (pgs. 138–39). Briefly summarize the significance of these verses as they deal with the Restoration and the last days.

The mountain of the Lord refers to the last dispensation when the church was restored.  The establishment of the Church headquarters in Salt Lake City was a fulfillment of the declaration in Isaiah 2:3.   In verse three it suggests that eventually other world centers will also be established.  The founding fathers were blessed by God in creating the Constitution of the United States.  We are blessed to have the freedom that the Constitution gives to us.  Now it is up to us to spread the law to all nations. 

(c) Read Isaiah 2:6–9 and answer the following questions:

·         What is the divine invitation to the family of Jacob?  Humble themselves   

·         Note or list the wickedness that interferes with the divine invitation  Idol Worship

·         What word in 2 Nephi 12:9 is added to Isaiah 2:9 to bring more clarity to the verse? Boweth

(c)   After reading Isaiah 2:6–22, select words or phrases that indicate among the people.

 

Idol Worship

Humble

Soothsayers

Please Themselves

 

(d)  Read Isaiah 4:5–6 and the first paragraph in the Bible Dictionary for “Temple” (pg. 780–81). After you study these verses and the footnotes, explain in writing what Isaiah taught about the potential of our homes. What do you feel a family must do to receive these promises?

The temple should be a place of refuge.  Only our homes can compare with the temple in sacredness.  We need to act in righteousness so that our homes can also be a place of refuge.