Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Friday, May 16, 2014

Isaiah 9

As two of the tribes of Israel are presently prideful and wicked (dimness) and will be attacked and  carried away, Isaiah prophecies concerning the coming of Christ saying -

"NEVERTHELESS the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 9:1 - 4)

Some matter of notes.  In the first verse, where "grievously afflict" is used, the German Bible uses the term "bring honor to".  This makes much more sense.  Also in verse three, the word "not" before increased the joy is not included in the Book of Mormon translation.  Again, making more sense.  In a spiritual sense, this is clearly a Messianic prophecy.

It is then that Isaiah looks to the second coming of the Savior comparing -

"For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 9:5 - 7)

This prophecy will be fulfilled in its time.