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, August 29, 2014

Jeremiah 28

In the days of Jeremiah there were many false prophets that exercised priestcraft, speaking lies for personal gain.  Nephi taught his people -

"...priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion."  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 26:29)

In my reading this morning, we read of several false prophets that exercised priestcraft, We read that Hananiah prophesied -

"Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.
3 Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD's house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon:
4 And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 28:2 - 4)

Jeremiah then sarcastically answered the prophecy of Hananiah in front of all the leaders of Judah -

"...Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD's house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place.
7 Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people;
8 The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.
9 The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 28:6 - 9)

After what appears to be a little scuffle, in my mind, Hananiah was angry and broke the symbolic wood yoke around Jeremiah's neck suggesting that the leaders should not believe Jeremiah.  The Lord then tells Jeremiah that he yoke of the Babylon's would be even an iron yoke which could not be broken.  Because of Hananiah's priestcraft, we learn how the Lord deals with false prophets as Jeremiah prophesies -

"Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.
17 So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 28:15 - 17)

Jeremiah continues to prophecy that Judah will be in captivity for seventy years, and because of that, they should build homes, have families, and continue to strive to live righteously.  We learn of two more false prophets from Judah in Babylon that were exercising priestcraft where Jeremiah writes the word of the Lord -

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
22 And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
23 Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 29:21 - 23)

And finally there was a Shemaiah the Nehelamite that was carried away to Babylon who wrote back to Judah that Jeremiah should be put in prison in stocks because of his prophecies, to which the Lord answered -

"Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
26 The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.
27 Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you?
28 For therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying, This captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
29 And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.
30 ¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
31 Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:
32 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 29:25 - 32)

In each case, these liars did so for personal gain.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Jeremiah 27

Much like Abinadi responded when king Noah and his wicked priests sentenced him to death, Jeremiah responds as the leaders of Judah convicted him saying -

"As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you.

15 But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 26:14 - 15)

And as Jeremiah again warns Zedekiah of the false prophets preaching appeasing lies to Judah, while counseling Judah to surrender to the Babylonians and become their servants, he tells them why -

"For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,
20 Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;
21 Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem;
22 They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 27:19 - 22)

Not only does Jeremiah prophecy concerning the future return of Judah and the temple vessels, we also learn that at this time (I understand around 606 B.C.), Babylon had already taken some of the best men or nobles of Judah and Jerusalem.  We read in Daniel's record -

"IN the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it."  (Old Testament | Daniel 1:1)

And with that, they  -

"...should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes..."  (Old Testament | Daniel 1:3)

"Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego."  (Old Testament | Daniel 1:6 - 7)

Thus in my mind, these famous Jews were taken captive some 6 years before Lehi left with his family.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Jeremiah 25

As the Lord compares good figs to the righteous and evil figs to the wicked, obviously there are still some "good figs", for of the good figs -

"Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.
6  For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.
7  And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 24:5 - 7)

I think it is interesting that this period of captivity will be "for their good".  Jeremiah would also prophecy that -
"...these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 25:11)

Which prophecy was fulfilled.  Jeremiah then prophecies how the all the wicked will be destroyed by the wicked.  Mormon wrote -

"...the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed."  (Book of Mormon | Mormon 4:5)

Even in speaking of the false prophets and leaders in our day, the Lord says -

"Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
35 And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.
36 A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture."  Old Testament | Jeremiah 25:34 - 36)

The day will come when the Lord will waste the pasture or land of all the wicked.


 



Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Jeremiah 23

As Jeremiah prophecies of the scattering of Israel amongst all nations, he also prophecies concerning their gathering in the last days saying -

"I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 23:3 - 4)

I find it interesting that the Lord will gather them "to their folds".  In my mind, this would their to there stakes of Zion.  Jeremiah then suggests that the visible miracle of Israel of being delivered out of Egypt was such a great thing, just wait until the latter-day gathering saying -

"...behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
8 But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 23:7 - 8)

This is what I believe to be the "arm of the Lord" being revealed.  President Spencer W. Kimball said -

“He (the Lord) said through Nephi, ‘The house of Israel (sooner or later will) be scattered upon all the face of the earth.’ (1 Nephi 22: 3) And now He says, ‘I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them.’ (Jeremiah 23: 3) “The gathering of Israel is now in progress. Hundreds of thousands of people have been baptized into the Church. Millions more will join the Church. And this is the way that we will gather Israel. The English people will gather in England. The Japanese people will gather in the Orient. The Brazilian people will gather in Brazil. So that important element of the world history is already being accomplished. “It is to be done by missionary work. It is your responsibility to attend to this missionary work .” (In Conference Report, Sao Paulo Brazil Area Conference, Feb.– Mar. 1975, p. 73)

As we are counseled to liken the scriptures unto ourselves and our day, I was particularly touched by the words of Jeremiah concerning false prophets.  In my mind, in our day this would include politicians, leaders, professors, teachers, activists, etc. -

Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.
10 For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.
11 For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.
12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
13 And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.
14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
15 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.
16 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
17 They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
18 For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
19 Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
20 The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
23 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
25 I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
27 Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.
29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
32 Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 23:9 - 32)

I know that is a long set of verses but it even appears in our day that these false prophets are leading the people to be even as Sodom and Gomorrah.



Monday, August 25, 2014

Jeremiah 20

Being a prophet amongst wicked people and friends must be overwhelming and discouraging.  Jeremiah comments -

"O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.
9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 20:7 - 9)

I think the word "deceive" should be interpreted more like persuade or persuaded.  Even as difficult as the work of the Lord is, I was touched by the Jeremiah's reference to the influence and power of the Holy Ghost "as a burning fire shut up in my bones".

Probably in his most lamenting hours, Jeremiah writes -

"Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.
15 Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.
16 And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;
17 Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.
18 Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?"  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 20:14 - 18)

My heart goes out to the call given to  Jeremiah.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Jeremiah 17

Jeremiah asks of the heart and then answers -

"...who can know it?
10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 17:9 - 10)

In modern day we are taught -

"For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts."   (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 137:9)

Which suggests our works and the nature of our hearts will be that upon which we are judges.

The Lord instructs Jeremiah to go to the gates of Jerusalem and command Judah -

"...Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;
22 Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 17:21 - 22)

The promise is -

"...it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;
25 Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 17:24 - 25)

This suggests to me that if a nation keep this commandment, the nation will be blessed.

I feel I have to include Jeremiah's experience the analogy of the potter's clay -

"THE word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 18:1 - 6)

If we allow the Lord to mold us, we may become as He would have us be.

One last thought...Jeremiah recorded how the people felt about his prophecying writing -

"Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 18:18)

As Lehi prophesied to the same people, the Lord said to him  -

"...Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life." (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 2:1)

Obviously, the Lord had a different mission for Lehi than Jeremiah.





Thursday, August 21, 2014

Jeremiah 16

I have several thoughts this morning.  First, Jeremiah just as almost all the great prophets, even though they were righteous, still had to pass through great afflictions with the wicked.  Jeremiah writes -

Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me.  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 15:10)

"And I will make thee to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon you."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 15:14)

In other words, even the righteous may suffer as the wicked are punished.  But even so, I am reminded of the Savior's words to the Prophet Joseph Smith bringing an eternal perspective -

"...all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 122:7)

Hard but true.

Second thought...after revealing all the wickedness of his day, Jeremiah says of Judah -

"...they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?"  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 16:10)

With those words, I can't help but think of the words of Laman and Lemuel who are contemporaries with Jeremiah saying these words -

"...we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people; for they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments, according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people; and our father hath judged them, and hath led us away because we would hearken unto his words; yea, and our brother is like unto him. And after this manner of language did my brethren murmur and complain against us."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 17:22)

Obviously, the wicked are blind to the truth.

Last thought was where Jeremiah prophecies concerning the work of Israel in the last days, saying -

"Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
15 But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
16 ¶ Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks." (Old Testament | Jeremiah 16:14 - 16)

I believe this is symbolic of the last days where many descendants will be converted in mass as fish in nets.  But then the day will come where Israel will be hunted our among all nations and people, even locally, one at a time.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Jeremiah 14

Alma teaches his son -

"...the plan of restoration is requisite with the justice of God; for it is requisite that all things should be restored to their proper order."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 41:2)

And then he asks and answers -

"...is the meaning of the word restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural state, or to place it in a state opposite to its nature?
13 O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 41:12 - 13)

I believe that is what Jeremiah is trying to teach as he asks -

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?"  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 13:23)

Speaking of wicked and false leaders or supposedly prophets, Jeremiah writes

"...the [false] prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
15 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 14:13 - 15)

David J. Ridges comments -

"Sometimes we think of false prophets, such as those in verse 13, above, as being various religious leaders gone astray. But we would do well to think of political leaders, media idols, philosophers, teachers, in fact any who lead us away from the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as being false prophets also."  (Ridges, David J. (2014-04-03). The Old Testament Made Easier Part 3)

This is so evident today as political and institutional leaders serve as false prophets that are lies.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Jeremiah 10

The words of Jeremiah could easily be his own, the Savior's, or even Judah and the Holy City as he writes -

"Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.
20 My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 10:19 - 20)

In speaking of broken covenants, (Jeremiah 11:9), Jeremiah suggests that "all my cords are broken" and "there is none to strethc forth my tent".  Concerning Zion, the cords of the tent as spoken by Isaiah -

"Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 54:2)

The cords then are in reference to covenants.  As we lengthen the cords of Zion, we are making and keeping sacred covenants.

Jeremiah also wrote -

"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 10:23)

When we follow men or governments and do not follow the commandments of the Lord, we will fail.  The Prophet Joseph Smith commented -

“It has been the design of Jehovah , from the commencement of the world, and is His purpose now, to regulate the affairs of the world in His own time, to stand as a head of the universe, and take the reins of government in His own hand. When that is done, judgment will be administered in righteousness; anarchy and confusion will be destroyed, and ‘nations will learn war no more.’ It is for want of this great governing principle, that all this confusion has existed; ‘for it is not in man that walketh, to direct his steps;’ this we have fully shown” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 250– 51).

Monday, August 18, 2014

Jeremiah 9

Not only was there rampart immorality and shameless adultery amongst Judah in the days of Jeremiah, but what I find interesting, because if is so rampant in our day, is that -

"...they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.
4 Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.
5 And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.
6 Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 9:3 - 6)

And even in all their lies -

"Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 9:8)

In answer to lies and deceits -

"...saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?"  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 9:9)

No question, the Lord hates the actions of  a liar.  Jacob taught -

"Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell."  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:34)

Though this is unrelated, Jeremiah as the question -

"Is there no balm in Gilead..."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 8:22)

Which is often used in reference to the spiritual healing of the Savior.

 

Friday, August 15, 2014

Jeremiah 6

Just as in our day, the more wicked Judah became, the less shame there was in doing so as Jeremiah asks -

"Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush..."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 6:15)

And to such -

"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 6:16 - 17)

And because of that -

"I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 6:19)

And -

"...I will lay stumblingblocks before this people..."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 6:21)

God is unchanging suggesting that the downfall of Judah will be the same for those in our day.

Speaking of a people that is not ashamed, we find the people of Judah sacrificing per the law of Moses and worshipping at the temple yet at the same time, committing all types of abominations, immorality and idol worship.  Obviously, great hypocrits as Jeremiah chastises -

"...ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.
9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;
10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?
11 Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 7:8 - 11)

Woe unto all those that hide their iniquities and bear vessels of the Lord unworthily.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Jeremiah 4

As Judah approaches being "fully ripe" in inquity in that it is apparent that they will not repent, as Jeremiah is about to prophecy and lament the forthcoming destructions, he begins with -

"IF thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.
2 And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 4:1 - 2)

Obviously, all nations shall be greatly blessed if they turn to him.  My fear is that our present-day nation continues to follow the path of Judah and when "fully ripe" will reap the same destruction for -

"The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so..."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 5:31)

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Jeremiah 3

In comparing Judah as the Lord's wife, Jeremiah chastises Judah telling them -

"...thou hast played the harlot with many lovers..."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 3:1)

Suggesting to me, spiritual and immoral adultery as those chose to forsake their covenants and follow idols and wickedness.  Because of that, Jeremiah asks Judah, have they not observed the wickedness of their sister kingdom, Israel and what happened to them saying -

"Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
7 And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.
8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
9 And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.
10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.
11 And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 3:6 - 11)

We are taught over and over that history repeats itself.  This is will with Judah.  As he chastises Judah, Jeremiah turns to the gathering of Israel (and Judah) in latter days saying -

"Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 3:12 - 15)

And -

"At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.
19 But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 3:17 - 19)

In other words, covenants with the Lord will be entered into, obeyed and kept.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Jeremiah 2

We begin to see the great wickedness that Judah had entered into in the days of Jeremiah (including Lehi) where the Lord describes how much He had done for these chosen people and how quickly they turned to their own pleasures, desires, and idol worship as athe Lord asks -

"What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
6 Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?
7 And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.
8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 2:5 - 8)

There seems to be much of the same actions today by many people.  How quickly men turn to the lustful desires.

Not only will we be punished for our own sins, but the Lord Himself teaches -

"Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee..."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 2:19)

Which follows the words of Alma to his son -

"...wickedness never was happiness."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 41:10)

The Lord even adds -

"Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 2:35)

I think the word plead in this case is not begging the wicked, but presenting a plea for justice for wicked actions at the judgement bar.  Obviously, keeping the commandments is important to the Lord and to our eternal progression.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Jeremiah 1

Much like Enoch, Moses, and Isaiah, Jeremiah also expressed his feelings of inadequacy when called by the Lord writing -

"Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 1:4 - 5)

Obviously, these words would suggest a pre-mortal life where Jeremiah was fore-ordained to become a prophet.  Nor pre-destined in the Jeremiah still possessed his agency.  But in being called, Jeremiah responds -

"...Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 1:6)

In response the Lord answers -

"...Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 1:7 - 10)

Thus Jeremiah was given the charge and promised -

"Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.
19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee."  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 1:17 - 19)

Even though Jeremiah was promised that the Lord would deliver him in his calling, He did not say he would not experience great afflictions in the process for we know that Jeremiah spent a great deal of time in prison in the most adverse conditions.  Seems to be the life of all great prophets.

Thursday, August 07, 2014

Isaiah 66

As we read the last writings in the record of Isaiah, the Lord again teaches of whom will be the house of Israel throughout eternity being -

"For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 66:2)

Which -

"Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word;.."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 66:5)

 And in these last days, the Lord will hasten His work for the missionaries -

"...shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 66:19 - 22)

All the righteous being gentile or Jew will receive the priesthood and become His seed.

 

Wednesday, August 06, 2014

Isaiah 65

The words of Isaiah caught my attention as the Lord is provoked by those -

"Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 65:4)

This would suggest to me that we should refrain from seeking communication with the dead.  I believe this would extend to ministering spirits or angels.  We are commanded to -

"Seek ye the LORD..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 55:6)

...not ministering angels.  The Lord is He that administers angels or messengers from God.

As we seek the Lord, Isaiah compares the difference between the righteous and the wicked -

"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:
14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 65:13 - 14)

Basicially seeking and hearkening to the Lord brings happiness.

Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Isaiah 64

Herein, Isaiah prays for the second coming where the righteous will rejoice and the wick will suffer.  But what Isaiah tries to explain to Israel is an eternal perspective -

"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 64:4)

Those words should bring a great deal of excitement and desire to be faithful as any other.

Monday, August 04, 2014

Isaiah 63

As Isaiah writes of the second coming of the Savior, he asks the question -

"Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?"  (Old Testament | Isaiah 63:2)

The Lord answers  -

"I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 63:3)

As much as we picture the Savior being a God of mercy, at the same time, it is clear that He is a God of justice for Alma taught his son-

"...do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 42:25)

The conditions of the law are such that if we repent and keep His commandments we may obtain mercy for -

"I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
8 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 63:7 - 8)

They "that will not lie", in my mind, are they that keep the covenants they have made with the Lord.

 



Friday, August 01, 2014

Isaiah 62

In the last days, the Lord told Isaiah concerning Israel that -

"FOR Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 62:1 - 2)

And in addition -

"...I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence..."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 62:6)

Suggesting to me that in the last days there would be prophets, seers, revelators, and priesthood leaders that will be afraid yield sword of justice in defense of the truth and virtue, thus preaching -

"Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people."  (Old Testament | Isaiah 62:10)

In other words, preaching the doctrines of saving ordinances, teaching the narrow way or path, removing the stumbling blocks, and being an example to the people.