Isaiah 13-14

Isaiah 13-14 Study Guide – to be discussed November 17
Day 1: Read Isaiah 13:1-5 (with footnotes 1b,c, 2a,c, 3a), D&C 133:1-16
1. Read the chapter heading for Isaiah 13. What great city or nation is the object of the prophesied destruction recorded in Isaiah 13? What does it represent on a broader scale?


2. Where is the ensign mentioned in Isaiah 13:2 to be raised? What group is being gathered? (See footnote 13:3a.)



3. What war are we fighting today? Who will win?



BONUS: Read D&C 133:1-16. What is the fastest way out of Babylon?


Day 2: Read Isaiah13:6-18 (with footnotes 11d, 14a,b, 15a, 16c), Bible Dictionary entry, “Ophir,” D&C 18:10-16, Bible Dictionary entry, “Media,” Bible Dictionary entry, “Persia”
4. Why will the wicked “howl” at Christ’s Second Coming?


5. Give two possible meanings for the phrase, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold…” (Isaiah 13:12). See also D&C 18:10-16.



6. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Media” and the Bible Dictionary entry, “Persia.” Who were the Medes? What would they do to Babylon in 538 BC?



Day 3: Read Isaiah 13:19-22 (with footnotes 19b, 21b, 22a,b), Bible Dictionary entry, “Babylon,” D&C 1:12-16, 2 Nephi 23:22
7. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Babylon” and D&C 1:12-16. Why is Babylon an appropriate “type” or example of the wicked world today?


8. Who did Isaiah say would inhabit the spectacular palaces of Babylon after its destruction?


9. Read 2 Nephi 23:22. What message of hope is added to Isaiah’s message of burden in Nephi’s record?


Day 4: Read Isaiah 14:1-3 (with footnote 2a), Bible Dictionary entry, “Cyrus”
10. Isaiah 14:1 mentions “strangers” who will join with Israel. Footnote “a” for Isaiah 14:2 indicates other nations will help Israel. Give examples of how gentile nations assist Israel today.



11.Spiritually, how does the Lord give us rest from sorrow, fear and bondage?

12.Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Cyrus.” How did the Lord use Cyrus to fulfill part of the prophecy recorded in Isaiah 14:1-3?



Day 5: Read Isaiah 14:4-11 (with footnotes 4a,c, 6a, 8a,b,c, 9b,11a)
Note: Isaiah 14:4-11 contains a “proverb,” or instructive message to the king of Babylon. Much of this prophecy is “dualistic,” or has two meanings. The king of Babylon (the world) is a “type” of Satan.
13. The trees in Isaiah 14:8 (and in most of Isaiah’s writings) represent people. Why are the trees singing? (See also D&C 128:22-23.)



14. Why might the inhabitants of hell be surprised to see the king of Babylon coming? Or are they?



15. What does the wicked king have in death instead of a throne and a robe? (See Isaiah 14:11.)



Day 6: Read Isaiah 14:12-23 (with footnotes 12c, 13c, 16a,b, 18b, 19a,b, 21a, 23a), D&C 76:25-27, Moses 4:1-4
Note: Isaiah 14:12-20 is a message of doom to Lucifer, or Satan.
16. Read D&C 76:25-27. List ways in which Lucifer “fell.” (See also Moses 4:1-4.)



17. Lucifer makes five statements in Isaiah 14:13-14. What is the first word of each statement?



18. What do Lucifer and the king of Babylon have in common?




Day 7: Read Isaiah 14:24-32 (with footnotes 25a,b, 26b, 28a, 29a, 32a,d)
19. Turning back to Assyria in Isaiah 14:24, what does the Lord promise this wicked nation?



20. Isaiah 14:29-32 is a “burden” or message of woe to Philistia, a neighbor of Israel. Find Philistia on map 4 in your Bible Appendix. Today this land roughly coincides with the Gaza Strip. According to the footnote to Isaiah 14:28a, when was this burden prophesied?



21. Why would Philistia make a poor ally against Assyria? What might be the message to modern Israel (us)?