1 Nephi 20

Chapter 20

The Lord reveals His purposes to Israel-Israel has been chosen in the furnace of affliction and is to go forth from Babylon-Compare Isaiah 48. About 588–570 B.C.

Let’s look at some background before studying Chapter 20.

The northern tribe are gone. The southern kingdom was almost destroyed by the Assyrians. They Jews are now a humble people, ready to be taught.

Isaiah is teaching a new people residing in Jerusalem. Nephi is also teaching a new people, his family in the promised land.

The people are now ready to be taught about the covenant relationship. They are to remember, harken, hear, and listen.[1]

This is addressed to Israel, those who have come forth out of the waters of baptism and swear by the name of the Lord. “Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name” (Deuteronomy 6:13).

They mention the Lord, but don’t swear in truth and righteousness. “And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory” (Jeremiah 4:2).

“And though they say, The Lord liveth; surely they swear falsely” (Jeremiah 5:2).

“The introduction to Isaiah 48 serves, in a way, as an introduction to the purpose of all prophecy. God reveals future events through his prophets so that when those events transpire, people will not attribute them to natural (or even to supernatural but likewise ungodly) causes, but will recognize his supervening hand in human affairs…

“In 1 Nephi 20:1 (Isaiah 48:1) the information that the ‘house of Jacob’ had come ‘out of the waters of baptism’ is restored to the text…”[2]

“Obviously, Isaiah had anticipated a time when corrupt officials would rule people in [Jerusalem], a situation that Lehi experienced in his day. And it seems evident that Nephi had seen the relevance of such passages to the family’s situation … One finds further reference to the corruption and iniquity in the city when Lehi began his preaching. Of that day, Isaiah holds that the citizens of Jerusalem will ‘swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, yet they swear not in truth nor in righteousness. Nevertheless, they call themselves of the holy city, but they do not stay themselves upon the God of Israel’ (1 Nephi 20:1–2). Of such wickedness among persons in Jerusalem, Nephi later said that ‘their works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations’ (2 Nephi 25:2).”[3]

The Jews call themselves “the holy city.” “Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean” (Isaiah 52:1).

Though they call themselves “the holy city,” they turn away from the God of Israel.

The Lord has, through His prophets, declared things from the beginning, showing them suddenly. “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them” (Isaiah 42:9).

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:9-10).

“The sealed portion [of the Book of Mormon] will establish once and for all that God does know all things from the beginning and has revealed them periodically to his prophets so that the people will not give credit to idols or men for his great works on the earth (see 1 Nephi 19:23; 20:3–7; Isaiah 48:3–7).”[4]

He did these things because He knows they are an obstinate and stubborn people, with necks like iron.

“The introduction to Isaiah 48 serves, in a way, as an introduction to the purpose of all prophecy. God reveals future events through his prophets so that when those events transpire, people will not attribute them to natural (or even to supernatural but likewise ungodly) causes, but will recognize his supervening hand in human affairs. As stated by Isaiah, ‘Before it came to pass I showed them thee . . . for fear lest thou shouldst say-Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image hath commanded them’ (1 Nephi 20:5).”[5]

They have seen and heard all of Isaiah’s teachings of the Lord’s words. Why, he asks, won’t they declare His words? “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16).

The Jews have seen new things, hidden things. Yet, they did not know them. They neither heard or know, as they refused to listen to His words. They were called “a transgressor from the womb” (1 Nephi 20:8). “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies” (Psalms 58:3).

The Lord promises he will defer His anger towards this people, for His names sake. “For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people” (1 Samuel 12:22).

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalms 23:3).

“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for [GR because of, through] his name’s sake” (1 John 2:12).

However, He will withhold His praise. Even so, they will not be cut off.

The Lord refined His people through the furnace of affliction. “Indeed, the righteous are purified as silver or gold in the furnace (see Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 17:3; 27:21; Isaiah 48:10 [see 1 Nephi 20:10]; 1 Corinthians 3:12–15).”[6]

“At times it may seem that our trials are focused on areas of our lives and parts of our souls with which we seem least able to cope. Since personal growth is an intended outcome of these challenges, it should come as no surprise that the trials can be very personal-almost laser guided to our particular needs or weaknesses. And no one is exempt, especially not Saints striving to do what’s right. Some obedient Saints may ask, ‘Why me? I’m trying to be good! Why is the Lord allowing this to happen?’ The furnace of affliction helps purify even the very best of Saints by burning away the dross in their lives and leaving behind pure gold. Even very rich ore needs refining to remove impurities. Being good is not enough. We want to become like the Savior, who learned as He suffered ‘pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.’”[7]

He does this for His own sake. He will not allow His name to be polluted, nor will He give His glory to another. “I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images” (Isaiah 42:8).

“In the KJV, Isaiah 48:11 reads, ‘for how should my name be polluted?’ while 1 Nephi 20:11 reads,

‘for I will not suffer my name to be polluted.’ The Isaiah scroll supports the Book of Mormon by having the verb in the first person, as follows:

·        “‘should my name be polluted?’ (KJV, Isaiah 48:11).

·        “‘for how can I be polluted’ (Isaiah scroll, Isaiah 48:11).

·        “‘for I will not suffer my name to be polluted’ (Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 20:11 = Isaiah 48:11).”[8]

The House of Jacob is called on to listen to His words. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Revelation 22:13).

He laid the foundation of the earth and His right hand spanned the heavens. “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands” (Psalms 102:25)

“Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.

“He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

“Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons [HEB sea monsters], and all deeps:

“Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

“Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

“Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl” (Psalms 148:5-10).

The Lord commands the people to assemble and hear His word. He asks, “who among them hath declared by them.” (1 Nephi 20:14). The Lord has declared these things and His word will be fulfilled. “Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant” (1 Kings 8:56).

“And behold, I, the Lord, declare unto you, and my words are sure and shall not fail, that they shall obtain it” (D&C 64:13).

“His purposes fail not, neither are there any who can stay his hand” (D&C 76:3).

The Lord had spoken and He has “called him to declare, I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous” (1 Nephi 20:15).

Who is this “him” of whom the Lord speaks?

“Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden [OR strengthened], to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates [OR double door]; and the gates shall not be shut;

“I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

“And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

“For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me” (Isaiah 45:1-4).

The Lord has not spoken in secret. “I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right” (Isaiah 45:19).

Isaiah reminds them he speaks the words of the Lord, the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. He declares words to their profit and how the Lord leads them where they go.

They should have listened to the Lord’s commandments. “Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment” (Ecclesiastes 8:5). There has been peace like a river and their righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Their seed were like the sand; their offspring like gravel. No one should have been cut off or destroyed before Him.

“In addition to inviting Nephi’s illuminating commentary, the Book of Mormon text of Isaiah 48 fulfills the other purpose mentioned earlier by correcting two major errors that appeared in later biblical manuscripts and that were carried over into the King James Version of Isaiah. In 1 Nephi 20:1 (Isaiah 48:1) the information that the ‘house of Jacob’ had come ‘out of the waters of baptism’ is restored to the text, and in verse 2 the statement that the people of the holy city ‘stay themselves upon the God of Israel’ is corrected to the exact opposite-they ‘do not stay themselves on the God of Israel.’ This correction is important because it is consistent with the message that follows-that if the people had not broken the covenant, the house of Israel would not have been scattered (see 1 Nephi 20:18–19).”[9]

Isaiah tells them the Lord wants them to flee from the Chaldeans.

“Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence…

“And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.

“My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the Lord” (Jeremiah 51:6, 44-45).

When they leave, they should do so with a “voice of singing.” (1 Nephi 20:20). All ends of the Earth should be told “The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob” (1 Nephi 20:20).

“Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:

“Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

“Remember these [IE these things], O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me” (Isaiah 44:1-2, 21).

“For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me” (Isaiah 45:4).

As they fled Babylon, they didn’t thirst though they were led through deserts.

“He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;

“A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

“He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

“And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;

“And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase” (Psalms 107:33-37).

“When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

“I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

“I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah [OR acacia] tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine [HEB ash tree], and the box tree together:

“That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it” (Isaiah 41:17-20).

Moses caused waters to flow from the rock. He hit the rock and waters gushed out. “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel” (Exodus 17:6).

“And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also” (Numbers 20:11).

“Yea, and ye also know that Moses, by his word according to the power of God which was in him, smote the rock, and there came forth water, that the children of Israel might quench their thirst” (1 Nephi 17:29).

“And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved” (2 Nephi 25:20).

“The image of God, the rock, and the water … is a reminder that both the rock and the water are symbols of Yahweh. He is like a rock, permanent, lofty, immovable, and steadfast. Yahweh is ‘the rock’ (Deuteronomy 32:4), ‘the rock of his [Jeshurun’s] salvation’ (Deuteronomy 32:15), ‘the rock of Israel’ (2 Samuel 23:3), ‘my rock and my salvation’ (Psalm 62:2, 6), and ‘the rock of my refuge’ (Psalm 94:22). And Yahweh is the ‘fountain of living waters’ (Jeremiah 2:13; cf. also Isaiah 12:2-3; 33:21; 55:1). He provides both the actual water for Israel to invigorate and renew their souls in the dry desert of Horeb, and he is the representation of spiritual waters, or spiritual life. Later traditions recall this great occurrence at the rock (Psalm 78:15-16, 20; 105:41; 114:8; Isaiah 48:21).”[10]

In spite of all Moses had done, there is no peace for the wicked. “And the way of peace have they not known” (Romans 3:17).

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[1] Discussions on the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 19-22, KBYU.

[2] Pattern and Purpose of the Isaiah Commentaries in the Book of Mormon, Garold N. Davis, Maxwell Institute website.

[3] A Case for Lehi’s Bondage in Arabia, S. Kent Brown, Maxwell Institute website.

[4] Other Ancient American Records Yet to Come Forth, Monte S. Nyman, Maxwell Institute website.

[5] Pattern and Purpose of the Isaiah Commentaries in the Book of Mormon, Garold N. Davis, Maxwell Institute website.

[6] As a Garment in a Hot Furnace, John A. Tvedtnes, Maxwell Institute website.

[7] More Than Conquerors through Him That Loved Us, Elder Paul V. Johnson, April 2011 General Conference.

[8] Worthy of Another Look: The Great Isaiah Scroll and the Book of Mormon, Donald W. Parry and Stephen D. Ricks, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 20/2 (2011): 80.

[9] Pattern and Purpose of the Isaiah Commentaries in the Book of Mormon, Garold N. Davis, Maxwell Institute website.

[10] Sinai as Sanctuary and Mountain of God, Donald W. Parry, Provo, Utah, Reprinted by permission from By Study and Also By Faith vol. 1 in Essays in Honor of Hugh Nibley on the Occasion of His Eightieth Birthday (1990): 482—500.