Why Should We Study the Words of Isaiah?

            My Come, Follow Me studies for this week took me to Isaiah 1-12 with a lesson titled “God Is My Salvation.” We can best understand the words of Isaiah if we seek spiritual guidance as we study. A Book of Mormon prophet named Nephi loved the words of Isaiah. He taught that the words of Isaiah can be best understood when we are “filled with the spirit of prophecy” (2 Nephi 25:4). This lesson was introduced with the following information. 

Even if this is your first time reading the book of Isaiah, you might find passages that sound familiar. That’s because, of all Old Testament prophets, Isaiah is the one most often quoted in other books of scripture, including by the Savior Himself. Isaiah’s words also appear often in hymns and other sacred music. Why is Isaiah quoted so often?

Surely part of the reason is that Isaiah had a gift for expressing the word of God in vivid, memorable language. But it’s more than that. Isaiah has inspired prophets for generations because the truths he taught transcended his own generation—the Israelites living between 740 and 701 BC. His role was to open our eyes to God’s great work of redemption, which is much bigger than one nation or one time period. From Isaiah, Nephi learned that he and his people, though separated from the rest of Israel, were still part of God’s covenant people. In Isaiah, New Testament writers found prophecies about the Messiah that were being fulfilled right before their eyes. And in Isaiah, Joseph Smith found inspiration for the latter-day work of gathering Israel and building Zion. When you read Isaiah, what will you find?

            The Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ is one of the best guides for studying the words of Isaiah. Other helps for studying Isaiah and his writings can be found in “Isaiah” in the Bible Dictionary as well as 2 Kings 15-20 and 2 Chronicles 26-32.

            As in most scripture blocks, Isaiah taught many principles in the first twelve chapters of his book. For this post, I have chosen to discuss the principle “Isaiah prophesied of Jesus Christ” (Isaiah 7-9). Isaiah was what is called a “court prophet” because he was a familiar figure in Jerusalem and in the king’s court.

Early in his ministry, the Kingdom of Israel (also known as Ephraim) formed an alliance with Syria to defend itself against Assyria. The kings of Israel and Syria tried to force Ahaz, the king of Judah, to join their alliance. However, Isaiah prophesied that the alliance would fail and counseled Ahaz to trust in the Lord (see Isaiah 7-9, especially Isaiah 7:7-9; 8:12-13).

As Isaiah counseled Ahaz, he made several well-known prophecies. While it is not completely clear what these prophecies meant in the time of Ahaz, they clearly apply to Jesus Christ. This discussion will consider several of those prophecies.

Isaiah 7:14:

14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:21-23

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 

Isaiah 8:13-14

13 Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Mathew 21:44

44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Isaiah 9:2

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.

Matthew 4:16

16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

Isaiah 9:6-7

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.

Luke 1:31-33

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

            The above scriptures show that Isaiah was a true prophet of God. He prophesied of the Savior, and his prophecies came true. When the Savior visited the Nephites after His resurrection, He told them: “Search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah” (3 Nephi 23:1-3). Even though Isaiah can be difficult to understand, we will be blessed if we follow the Savior’s counsel to search the words of Isaiah diligently.