How Can One Understand the Words of Isaiah?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to the first twelve chapters in the book of Isaiah and a lesson titled “God Is My Salvation.” The following information introduced the lesson material. 

Even if this is your first time reading the book of Isaiah, you might find passages that sound familiar. That’s because, of all the 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 one 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 (between 740 and 701 BC). He wrote of 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 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 scripture block teaches numerous principles, including the following: (1) The words of Isaiah will all be fulfilled (Isaiah 1-12). (2) Prophets warn about sin and promise hope through repentance (Isaiah 1; 3-5). (3) God will do a great work in the latter days (Isaiah 2; 4; 11-12). (4) Prophets are called by God (Isaiah 6). (5) God promised to send Jesus Christ to be my Savior (Isaiah 7-9). This essay will discuss principle #1 about the words of Isaiah.

The Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ teaches much about the words of Isaiah. In 3 Nephi 23:3, the Savior taught that “all things that [Isaiah] spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake.” The prophecies of Isaiah can be divided under headings like these: Isaiah’s day, the Savior’s mortal ministry, and The latter days. Many of the prophecies of Isaiah are fulfilled in more than one way. President Dallin H. Oaks taught the following:

The book of Isaiah contains numerous prophecies that seem to have multiple fulfillments. One seems to involve the people of Isaiah’s day or the circumstances of the next generation. Another meaning, often symbolic, seems to refer to events in the meridian of time, when Jerusalem was destroyed and her people scattered after the crucifixion of the Son of God. Still another meaning or fulfillment of the same prophecy seems to relate to the events attending the Second Coming of the Savior. The fact that many of these prophecies can have multiple meanings underscores the importance of our seeking revelation from the Holy Ghost to help us interpret them (“Scripture Reading and Revelation,” Ensign, Jan. 1995, 8). 

Isaiah is written in such a way that many people have difficulty understanding what his words mean. The Savior said, “Search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah”

(3 Nephi 23:1; see also verses 2-3). The following ideas might help in understanding Isaiah:

·       Ponder the symbols and metaphors Isaiah used.

·       Ask yourself, “What am I learning about Jesus Christ?” (see 1 Nephi 19:23).

·       Look for topics that feel relevant to our time.

·       Use study helps, such as a dictionary, the footnotes, chapter headings, and the Guide to the Scriptures.