Jewish History and the Messiah

2 Nephi Ch 6
(cross reference with Isaiah 49)

Jacob recounts Jewish history: Their Babylonian captivity and return; the ministry and crucifixion of the Holy One of Israel; the help received from the gentiles; and their latter-day restoration when they believe in the Messiah. Between 559 and 545 B.C.

I think I must be very simple minded, because I had to reread this chapter a couple of times. The Isaiah is very poetic and lyrical, but the deeper meaning is lost to me. But, this morning I remembered I have a book on Isaiah. Duh! I'll go get that and hopefully have some insights.

OK, I found the book. Then I saw this scripture in 3 Nep when Christ taught: " And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to ^asearch these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of ^bIsaiah."

Well, a commandment. OK, so Isaiah is important for us to understand. My new goal will be to read this big book (it's about 600 pages). I was just reading there are 4 keys to understanding Isaiah:

1. Righteousness--brings the Spirit which enlightens understanding (a daily struggle)
   
2. Be filled with the spirit of revelation (I'm not sure how to do this)
   
3. Live in the last day (check)
4. Make the effort to search--spiritual and mental exertion to understand Isaiah (doable)
   

This chapter of 2 Nephi is referring to Isaiah 49. My book says it's about the gathering of Isreal in the last days. How the Lord remembers all His people and is mindful of them. This scripture was particularly profound to me as a mother:
"Can a ^awoman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not ^bforget thee."

Isaiah 49 talks about "servants" referring to those who are literal and scriptural descendants of Abraham. Me and you. 2 Nep goes on to explain that the Church will be established
"^aThus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my ^bstandard to the people; and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders."

And political leaders will also be followers of Christ church and will testify of Christ:

"And ^akings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers... for they shall not be ashamed that ^cwait for me."

Jacob continues to explain Isaiah's prophecies about the scattering and gathering of the Jews. He speaks of Christ's appearing to the house of Isreal during His second coming:
"the Messiah will set himself again the ^asecond time to recover them; wherefore, he will ^bmanifest himself unto them in power and great glory"

It goes on to say that He will destroy the wicked. Yikes! I wonder too, if at Christ's second coming, it will be so undeniable, that people will be "destroyed" at seeing they fought against the Lord. ?? I don't know. Oh, but then it talks about fire, tempest, earthquake, bloodsheds, pestilence, and famine. So, I guess they will be really destroyed. OK.

So, I promise to take Isaiah more seriously. After spending about 45 minutes reading and cross referencing this chapter, I do have a deeper understanding of what Isaiah was speaking about. There will be those raised up to spread the Word, Christ will come and be crucified, then the Jews will be scattered to all the "isles" of the earth. The Gentiles will be gathered in, and there will be political leaders who will believe in Christ. The Gentiles will help the Jews to be gathered in as well. He will come again to the earth, and gather His people: Jews and Gentiles. Those who choose not to, will be destroyed. These things will happen so : "...all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Savior and thy ^aRedeemer"