Navigating Isaiah

It may seem from a high-level view that Nephi is throwing the reader into the deep end. However, with careful study, I have found that Nephi is rigorously preparing me to handle and understand Isaiah by helping me navigate through the language of symbolism. And, through this preparation, I have gained a newfound respect for symbolic imagery and its incredible power upon the mind.

I have prepared a few examples to illustrate these early victories over this language barrier.

"Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet; I say, trample under their feet but I would speak in other words—they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels." (1 Nephi 19:7)

Nephi uses symbolic language while he is explaining the importance of scriptures, and it is not too difficult for those of western civilization to understand. However, he still gives the direct interpretation of what he is talking about. He is teaching me that A = B and I can hear him say, "you can do this!"

"And are come forth out of the waters of Judah, or out of the waters of baptism." (1 Nephi 20:1)

This is another example where the interpretation is expressly given. Again, I think of Nephi's preparation for me as I found that the equivalent Isaiah verse in the Old Testament did not have the qualifier “or out of the waters of baptism.” It was no accident that this phrase was contained in the first verse of the first quoted chapter of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon. Although, this was originally addressed to the Jews, the Lord is teaching me that it applies to all baptized members of His church and has direct application to the everyday saint. Furthermore, it makes a great introduction for Isaiah's main audience for all of his writings. He is not speaking to the world but to the house of Israel or the members of Christ's church.

"I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass." (1 Nephi 20:4)

Here is a great example of symbolism where I have to step it up a level because there is no express interpretation given. However, Isaiah gives me a one word hint—obstinate. Between this hint and basic logic, it is not too difficult for me to see that the Lord is not talking to someone that literally has an iron sinew in his neck or a brow made of physical brass. Instinctively, I was able to begin to see what the Lord was telling me and with a little more word study, I was able to refine these concepts.  The phrase "thy neck is an iron sinew" brought to mind a stiff neck and the image of a horse trying be led on a halter. The neck representing my will and the halter representing God leading me. The phrase "thy brow brass" brings an image of sternness or arrogance. Brass brings to mind flashy as in haughty or prideful. Why not just say, "you are stubbornly holding to your own faulty will and opinions in the pride and haughtiness of your heart." Besides the beauty of Isaiah's language, the imagery used has a far more lasting effect than just the written word. These images become seared into my mind and I can begin to see the power of Isaiah's words.

"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." (1 Nephi 20:10)
"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." (1 Nephi 21:16)

No explanation is given for these two phrases. However, they are intuitive. Besides learning them in Sunday school, they just make sense to me because I live with affliction every day of my life and I get that He will never forget me that I am always before Him even though I may not fully understand the Atonement.

"Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. Thy seed also had been as the sand; the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof." (1 Nephi 20:18-19)

These phrases may not come by intellectual enlightenment, but they can come through physical experience. Anyone who has sat or rested beside a slow moving river can feel the peace and calmness that it brings from its continuous flow. Anyone who has been on a beach can feel the strength of the waves and the constant movement and progression. Being on a single beach gives one an idea of the overwhelming number of grains of sand associated with the promise of offspring even though the mind cannot fully comprehend it.

"And they thirsted not; he led them through the deserts; he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them; he clave the rock also and the waters gushed out."
 (1 Nephi 20:21)

This is an example where Nephi knew I would have the necessary tools in my day to unlock the scriptural interpretation on my own. I have to step it up even more, but I can unlock the meaning of this phrase by turning to the Old Testament or the exodus of God's people from Egypt.

“And after our seed is scattered the Lord God will proceed to do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto our seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their being nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders.

“And it shall also be of worth unto the Gentiles; and not only unto the Gentiles but unto all the house of Israel, unto the making known of the covenants of the Father of heaven unto Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.” (1 Nephi 22:8-9)

In this last example, Nephi is giving me the much needed help through personal commentary on the words of Isaiah. He gives some of his temporal and spiritual interpretations by focusing mostly on his people and the Gentiles in the last days. Nephi's commentary is a real blessing to me as I practice finding symbolism in the scriptures and as I look to the future to see God's word being fulfilled.

All of these hints that Nephi is giving me will help me on my journey to unlocking the personal revelation contained in Isaiah that I will need for everyday survival in this mortal life. I am so grateful to Nephi for his help in preparing me to navigate through the words of Isaiah.