Old Testament - Isaiah 30 & 35 - September 16, 2022

 9/16/2022 – Isaiah 30 & 35


Chapter 30 tells us that Israel was scattered because the people had rejected the prophets. But it also tells us that Israel will be gathered again, and will be blessed both temporally and spiritually. And after that, the Lord shall come to earth. This shall be a time when there has been apostasy once again to teach and to judge.


At this point in time the Israelites, who certainly needed help have turned back toward Egypt. In v 7 the Lord tells them that “their strength is to sit still”. The Lord has cried to them at this time to NOT turn back to Egypt. But the Israelites did not listen to their prophets or the Lord. (v 8) The Lord refers to them as ‘rebellious’. He continues saying they are as lying children that will not hear the law of the Lord. The Israelites have not liked what their prophets have told them, for they want their prophets to “speak unto us smooth things”. (v 10) The Lord tells them that instead of running away from their troubles, they must go to the scriptures and go to the Lord, for in doing this they shall find the peace and comfort and stillness that they crave. 


V 18 tells us of the Lord’s patience with us: “…therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you…that he may have mercy upon you…blessed are all that wait for him”. In v’s 20 and 21 he reminds them that he has given them “the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction” for that can cause their eyes to see their teachers, and their ears to hear the right way to walk. The Lord is always near us in spirit—waiting to guide us in every way. It’s up to us to look to Him, and follow His commandments.


He lets us know that if we reject the words of the prophets, we are literally rebelling against the Lord, and when we have put ourselves in that state we will be weakened spiritually. 


Elder Holland: “Unfortunately, messengers of divinely mandated commandments are often no more popular today than they were anciently. …Sadly enough, … it is a characteristic of our age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don’t rock the boat but don’t even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds” (“The Cost—and Blessings—of Discipleship,” Ensign  May 2014, 7).

The Lord has promised great blessing for those who follow His commandments and work to become closer to Him. And He also tells us the sad effects we will suffer when we ignore his commandments in order to go a different direction. He has told us the consequences for that also. We need to remember, that just as promised blessings might not come to us immediately, the consequences of ignoring the Lord and turning away from him may not come immediately after our actions, but they will come to us.

Throughout my life, I have had my spiritual ups and downs. When I remember my spiritual down times, I remember hard and unfulfilling times. When I remember my spiritual up times, I remember the feelings peacefulness, and security, and a sweet inner happiness.


Chapter 35’s synopsis: “In the day of restoration the desert shall blossom, the Lord will come, Israel shall be gathered, and Zion shall be built up.” We are living in these days! The Lord gives us helpful guidance for this particular time: V 3: Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. (There are many ways we can reach out and strengthen each other!) V 4: “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear nor: behold, your God will come….he will come and save you.”

When the Lord comes the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped, the lame man shall leap, the tongue of the dumb shall sing, the desert shall be full of springs of water….

There will also be “an highway…it shall be called The way of holiness. (v 8) In D&C 81:5, it is called the path of true doctrine.

V 10 is full of hope: “And the ransomed of the Lord [those who have repented and have accepted His atonement] shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

As we read these chapters (13-35), we find promises from the Lord to all those who follow and are close to Him I will rise up against your enemies                                                                                                                           

I shall send a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them

I will be intreated of you

I will heal you

I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place

I will take away the burden

I will cause the weary to rest

I will bring the refreshing

I will do my work

I will be gracious at the sound of your cry

I will come and save you

I will make a way of holiness


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