Isaiah51-54

Isaiah 51-54 Study Guide – to be discussed April 12
Day 1: Read Isaiah 51:1-8 (with footnotes 1b, 4a, 6a,b), Abraham 2:9-10
1. Read the footnote to Isaiah 51:1b. From which rocks are we hewn? (Note: “hole of the rock pit” = rock quarry.)


2. Read Abraham 2:9-10. With what were Abraham and Sarah blessed? Why should this be a comfort to the righteous?


3. Isaiah 51:1, 4 and 7 begin with the instruction “Hearken unto me.” Who is asked to listen and obey in each passage? List instructions given in each case.


Day 2: Read Isaiah 51:9-16
4. In Isaiah 51:9-11 the righteous reply to the Lord. What is their request?


5. The Lord addresses Israel again, beginning in Isaiah 51:12. What does he say about their fears? (See also 2 Nephi 8:12.)


BONUS: Read the footnote to 2 Nephi 8:13c. Who are “the oppressors”?

6. From Isaiah 51:16, what will the Lord do for his people?*


Day 3: Read Isaiah 51:17-23 (with footnote 20a), 2 Nephi 8:19-20, Revelation 11:3-12
7. What does the Lord ask Jerusalem to do in Isaiah 51:17? Why?


8. Isaiah 51:18 indicates Israel has gone through a period without prophets to guide her. Read 2 Nephi 8:19-20 and Revelation 11:3-12 with Isaiah 51:19-20. What critical change is made in 2 Nephi 8:19? How might these verses from Isaiah be related to the message in Revelation 11:3-12?


9. What does the Lord mean when he says he will take the “cup of trembling” out of the hand of his covenant people and give it to her enemies?


Day 4: Read Isaiah 52:1-15 (with footnotes 2b, 4a, 8c, 9a, 12b, 13a, 14a,b, 15a), D&C 113:7-10, D&C 82:14-20, Mosiah 15:18-20, 28-29
10. Read D&C 113:7-10 with Isaiah 52:1-2. What is the “strength” of Zion? How does revelation free Israel from the curses of God?


BONUS: Read D&C 82:14-20. What is one way Zion might put on her beautiful garments?


11. Read Mosiah 15:18-20 and 28-29 with Isaiah 52:7-8. Abinadi quoted Isaiah in an attempt to explain the mission of the Lord and his true prophets to the wicked priests of King Noah. Why are the Lord’s feet beautiful? What is the role of his watchmen? (See also 3 Nephi 16:10-20, 3 Nephi 20:29-35.)
12. The Lord quoted extensively from Isaiah when he visited the Nephites. Parts of Isaiah 52 were recorded in 3 Nephi 20. Look through Isaiah 52:9-15 and list major themes that are important for Israel in every generation.


Day 5: Read Isaiah 53:1-12 (with footnotes 2d, 9c), 2 Nehi 9:21-22
13. Read the chapter heading to Isaiah 53. Who is Isaiah talking about throughout this chapter? If the “tender plant” in Isaiah 53:2 represents the restoration of truth, and the “dry ground” represents the apostasy of Judah, how has this prophecy been fulfilled?


14. Read Isaiah 53:4-5 and 7 with 2 Nephi 9:21-22. Why did the Lord bear our griefs and sorrows?


15. From Isaiah 53:10-12, what are the fruits of the Lord’s sacrifice?**


Day 6: Read Isaiah 54:1-8 (with footnotes 5a, 6d)
16. Read the chapter heading for Isaiah 54. What time frame is discussed in this chapter?


17. Who is the bride of Christ? If she never went through labor, how did she get so many children?


18. Why will the Lord gather his people in spite of their inconsistent devotion?


Day 7: Read Isaiah 54:9-17 (with footnote 16a)
19. Isaiah 54:10 describes the true nature of God. What do we know about Jehovah from this verse?


20 Note: The “fair colors” with which precious stones will be laid may indicate “hard mortar.” What kind of house does the Lord build for his people?


21.List phrases from Isaiah 54:14-17 that indicate the Lord will protect his people.



BONUS: Read Isaiah 54:13 with D&C 45:58-59. When might these prophecies be realized?


From the Institute Manual: *In Isaiah 51:4–16 , great emphasis is placed on the pronouns me and my: “my people,” “my nation,” “my judgment,” “my righteousness,” “my salvation,” “mine arm,” “my law” ( vv. 4–8 ). The Lord emphasized these things to stress His relationship with us. He is our Creator, He is our Judge, He is our Savior, and He is our perfect Exemplar. And though the earth itself “shall vanish away like smoke, and . . . wax old like a garment” ( v. 6 ), the qualities He claims for Himself will endure forever. God is permanent, stable, upright, and dependable. Those who trust in Him need not fear “the reproach of men” ( v. 7 ) but should “awake” and “put on strength . . . as in the ancient days” ( v. 9 ). This call is from God to His latter-day children to return to Him and “come with singing unto Zion” where “sorrow and mourning shall flee away” ( v. 11 ).

**Also, regarding Isaiah 53:10: Elder Bruce R. McConkie summarized what Abinadi taught as follows: “The seed of Christ are those who are adopted into his family, who by faith have become his sons and his daughters. ( Mosiah 5:7 .) They are the children of Christ in that they are his followers and disciples and keep his commandments. ( 4 Ne. 17 ; Morm. 9:26 ; Moro. 7:19 .)”