Isaiah 28-29 Study Guide – to be discussed January 19
Day 1: Read Isaiah 28:1-8 (with footnotes 1b,c, 4a, 5a, 7a), 2 Nephi 27:1, D&C 104:7
(Note: This message to Israel was given around 724 BC. By 721, the Northern 10 tribes would be conquered.)
1. What kind of crown was Ephraim (representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel) wearing? Why might this cause Israel to be spiritually “drunk”? See also 2 Nephi 27:1.
2. (Note: In Isaiah 28:2, the “mighty and strong one” may refer to Shalmaneser of Assyria and his armies.)
In what ways would Israel be like an early fruit before summer (Isaiah 28:4)?
3. Isaiah 28:5-6 is parenthetical, and refers to a future day. What is the promise to the righteous remnant, outlined in Isaiah 28:5-6? See also D&C 104:7.
BONUS: Read the footnote to Isaiah 28:7a. Who is named specifically in the Lord’s condemnation of a later apostasy?
Day 2: Read Isaiah 28:9-17 (with footnotes 9b, 13b, 15b), 2 Nephi 28:30, Helaman 5:12
4. Read 2 Nephi 28:30 with Isaiah 28:9-13. Why is learning truth a life-long process? What happens when we think we have enough knowledge?
5. What kind of covenant had the rulers of Jerusalem made? Where was their supposed refuge?
6. Read Helaman 5:12 with Isaiah 28:16-17. What foundation stone has been provided for Zion?
Day 3: Read Isaiah 28:18-29 (with footnotes 18a, 29a), D&C 101:93-95
7. How comfortable is a man whose bed is too short and blanket too narrow? What might these symbols in indicate (Isaiah 28:20)?
8. Read D&C 101:93-95 with Isaiah 28:21. What is God’s “strange work” or “strange act”?
9. Read Isaiah 28:23-29, an agricultural metaphor. Would it make sense for the Lord to plow if he didn’t intend to sow and eventually reap? What can you infer from the footnote to Isaiah 28:29a?
Day 4: Read Isaiah 29:1-5 (with footnotes 1b,c), JST Isaiah 29:1-5, Moroni 10:27, 2 Nephi 26:15-16
10. Read the chapter heading to Isaiah 29. In what ways have the Nephites spoken in the latter days “as of one that hath a familiar spirit” (like a dead relative) or “as a voice from the dust”? (See also Moroni 10:27, 2 Nephi 26:15-16)
11.What does the name “Ariel” mean? To what city does it refer?
12. List phrases from Isaiah 29:5 indicating Judah’s enemies will be numerous.
Day 5: Read Isaiah 29:6-12, JST Isaiah 29:6-8, 2 Nephi 27:2-10, 15-18, JS-H 1:63-65
13. Why do you think the enemies of Zion will be “as a dream of a night vision” or “as when an hungry man dreameth… and his soul is empty…” (See Isaiah 29:7-8 and 2 Nephi 27:3.)
14. What is the “spirit of deep sleep” mentioned in Isaiah 29:10 and 2 Nephi 27:5, caused by rejecting the prophets?
15. Read Isaiah 29:11-12 with 2 Nephi 27:6-10, 15-18, and JS-H 1:63-65. Why might this prophecy regarding a book to come forth in the latter days have been recorded by Isaiah around 720 BC and by Nephi around 550 BC?*
Day 6: Read Isaiah 29:13-17 (with footnote 13f), 1 Nephi 22:8-9, JS-H 1:19, 2 Nephi 29:1-22, Nephi 26:22-24
16. What is the “marvelous work and a wonder” (1 Nephi 22:8-9, Isaiah 29:14) the Lord is doing in the latter days? Why is it necessary for the eternal happiness of mankind?
BONUS: Read 2 Nephi 29:1-2. List five reasons the Lord will proceed with his marvelous work.
17. Read Isaiah 29:15 with 2 Nephi 26:22-24. Who is the father of “works of darkness” and why are these works so effective to his purposes?
18. In what way are people who try to justify sins dumber than pots?
Day 7: Read Isaiah 29:18-24 (with footnotes 21b, 23b), D&C 45:50
19. How has the prophecy recorded in Isaiah 29:18 been fulfilled today, both spiritually and physically?
20. Read Isaiah 29:20-21 with D&C 45:50. What kind of people “watch for iniquity”?
21. (Note: the pronoun “he” at the beginning of Isaiah 29:23 refers to Jacob, as spoken of in verse 22.) How will Jacob (Israel) feel about his posterity after the Lord accomplishes His “marvelous work” in the latter days? What amazing tool has the Lord given us so we will “come to understanding” and “learn doctrine”?
*From the Institute Manual: Isaiah 29:11–12 . What Was the “Book That Is Sealed” and to Whom Were Its “Words” Delivered? Early in the process of translating the Book of Mormon, Martin Harris desired proof that the translation Joseph Smith was making was genuine. He obtained permission to carry a copy of several of the “words” from the plates, together with their translation, to some learned men. Martin Harris’s account given to the Prophet Joseph Smith states that he took the copy to Professor Charles Anthon of New York City, who certified that the characters were real and correctly translated. But when Professor Anthon discovered that the record from which the characters were obtained was itself received by supernatural means, he retracted his statement by asking for his certificate back and tearing it to bits. Martin Harris reports that Anthon said that “if I would bring the plates to him he would translate them. I informed him that part of the plates were sealed, and that I was forbidden to bring them. He replied, ‘I cannot read a sealed book.’ I left him, and went to Dr. Mitchell, who sanctioned what Professor Anthon had said respecting both the characters and the translation.” ( Joseph Smith—History 1:65 .)The unlearned man to whom the book was delivered was, of course, Joseph Smith. Elder Orson Pratt once said: “Now in regard to Joseph Smith’s qualifications or attainments in learning, they were very ordinary. He had received a little education in the common country schools in the vicinity in which he had lived. He could read a little, and could write, but it was in such an ordinary hand that he did not venture to act as his own scribe, but had to employ sometimes one and sometimes another to write as he translated. This unlearned man did not make the same reply that the learned man did. For when the book was delivered to this unlearned youth and he was requested to read it, he replied, ‘I am not learned.’ I suppose he felt his weakness when the Lord told him to read this book; for he thought it was a great work.” (In Journal of Discourses, 15:186.)
