Lynne's Old Testament Study Notes

 9/23/2022 – Isaiah 48-49 Chapter 48 : In this chapter, the Lord is inviting the Israelites to return to Him and start keeping their covenants. I believe the most important word in this is the word “invite”. The Lord doesn’t force us to do anything, but He does (in His scriptures and with sudden thoughts in our minds or a beautiful thrill through our chest) give us helps and hints about the ways we think and the ways we behave can help us find more peace and happiness in our daily lives. This is a chapter that Nephi felt was important enough to include in the Book of Mormon. In v’s 1-2 Christ lays it straight: The Israelites “swear by the mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness. For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay {means ‘pretend to rely upon’} themselves upon the God of Israel.” He reminds them of all the truths He has given to them, and that they have ignored. He reminds them that he has “declared the former things from the beginning” ...

 9/22/2022 – Isaiah 46-47 Isaiah 46: In this chapter the Lord is still working to teach the Israelites that idols have no power, no love, no care for them, and no way to help them along their way.  In v ‘s 3-4 the Lord tells them that He known them from the time they were in the womb, and that He will carry them, and bear them, and deliver them throughout their lives –even throughout their old age. I love that verse, for we have felt Him near us throughout the rigors of our old age! And then He switches from describing Himself and instead describes how their idols are created, and points out while the idols might be covered with gold, they are all made by man. They may cry unto the idol, but “yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.” (v 7). The He confirms Himself in v 8 by telling them to “remember this”, for they are doing the wrong thing now by going to idols. It is a waste of their time and their energy. He then reinforces in v 9 for them to “Remember the f...

9/21/2022 – Isaiah 44-45 Chapter 44 The student manual introduces this chapter: “Isaiah contrasts the Lord’s power to save us with the foolishness of trusting in anything else.”  That makes me ask myself: ‘Where do I turn when I feel the need for help?’ In v’s 2-3 the Lord is speaking to Jacob: “Fear not, O Jacob, my servant…whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessings upon thine offspring.”  As we yearn toward God, he will give unto us the good things that we desire. We can be secure knowing that those desires, added to our efforts to come closer to Heavenly Father WILL have an effect upon us. The Lord knows we will go through good times and bad times. In v 8 He reassures us: “Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee …and have declared it. Emily Bell Freeman has posted the ways that the Lord has said that He will help us: “If you feel unknown; If you are lo...

 9/20/2022 – Isaiah 42-43 Chapter 42 The Lord speaks of Isaiah in the first line of the first verse of chapter 42: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him….” That sentence reminds me that when we help the Lord, the Lord is able to helps us more! The Lord KNOWS Isaiah…just as He knows each of us. In v 4 the Lord assures us that Isaiah “shall not fail nor be discouraged” until he (Isaiah) finishes the work the Lord has called him to do. That’s the kind of attitude we should have as we work within the callings we have been given. The Lord knows that He has asked Isaiah to do very difficult things, and v 6 is the wondrous promise that the He makes to Isaiah: “I the Lord have called the in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee…” This is the Lord’s concern and caring for Isaiah, and Christ has that same love for each of us. Most likely, we will not be asked to bring an entire nation back to believing i...

 9/19/2022 – Isaiah 40-41 Chapter 40:  Prior to chapter 40, Isaiah had prophesied that the people of Judah would be conquered by the Babylonians—so the purpose of Isaiah in this chapter was to comfort the Lord’s people. Isaiah did this by prophesying of the coming of Jesus Christ. Christ’s coming would occur long after these people were dead, but reminding the people of the greatness of the Lord and of His love for them and of His commandments will would bring them closer to the Lord—and that makes all the difference in our individual lives. Isaiah reminds his people—and us—that Christ “shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (v11)   Isaiah goes on to remind them of the great love and power that our Heavenly Father has for us, and will give to us: “Have ye not known? Have ye not heart? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understoo...

 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...

 9/15/2022 – Isaiah 28 & 29 Isaiah 28 In v 9 the Lord stresses the importance of teaching our children of Him and of His doctrine. And then He tells us just how to teach them: “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; Line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little.” (v 10). This may be the way we should teach our children, but it is also the way we all find spiritual growth and knowledge. The Lord then tells us the importance of finding, and then continuing, our spiritual growth and knowledge: “…This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing…” (v 12)  V 16 tells that Christ will be the “corner stone” of a sure foundation. How often do we refuse to hear the Lord’s word? Because when we hear-- truly hear—His word we must adjust our patterns of living to be more like Him. For that growth is what brings us true comfort and happiness. V 17 reminds me that when I’m close to the Lord, and am better at making ...