Lesson 129

Isaiah 48–50

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to be taught by the Holy Ghost. Be sure to eliminate any distractions that could interrupt your learning experience.

Begin your study with prayer.

We all face challenges that can lead us to feel forgotten or alone. Where do you turn when you feel alone?

Sister Susan W. Tanner, who served as Young Women General President, told a story of a young woman who overcame feelings of loneliness. Think about how this young woman found peace despite her difficult circumstances.

Greater Peace

In your study journal or your Notes on LDS.org write down a list of things that cause you to feel worried, stressed, or afraid.

How is it possible to have peace when you feel worried, stressed, or afraid?

As you study Isaiah 48, look for a principle that can help you have greater peace in your life, even during times of trouble.

The Words of Isaiah

Isaiah 48 is the first full chapter of Isaiah that the prophet Nephi quoted that is recorded in the Book of Mormon (see 1 Nephi 20). Nephi stated that his reason for reading Isaiah to his people was so that he “might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer” (1 Nephi 19:23).

We read in Isaiah 48:1–8 that the Lord addressed the Israelites who broke their covenants and He also described their rebellious behavior.

Read Isaiah 48:1, 4–5, 8, looking for words and phrases that show how the house of Israel had rebelled against the Lord. Consider marking what you find. The “waters of Judah” mentioned in verse 1 refer to baptism (see 1 Nephi 20:1).

Pride

Think of how hard it is to bend a piece of strong metal. What do you think it means for someone’s neck to be “an iron sinew” or for someone’s brow to be “brass” (Isaiah 48:4)?

A sinew is a tendon, which connects bone to muscle. Just as iron does not bend easily, prideful people will not bow their necks in humility.

Blessings of Obedience

Despite the pride and wickedness of the people, the Lord told them He would not abandon them (see Isaiah 48:9–15).

Read Isaiah 48:17–19, looking for what blessings the Israelites would have received if they had been obedient to the Lord.

How would you state a principle from verse 18 using the words if and then?

Peace from Obedience

You might have identified a principle from Isaiah 48:18 similar to the following: If we hearken to the Lord’s commandments, then we will have peace. You might want to note this in your scriptures near Isaiah 48:18.

Isaiah used the image of a river to symbolize the peace that will flow to those who obey the commandments of the Lord.

1. Please answer one or both of the following questions:

• Why does obedience to the Lord’s commandments bring us peace?

• When was a time in your life when hearkening to the Lord’s commandments brought you peace?

Choices and the Peace We Feel

Isaiah also taught about how the choices we make can determine the amount of peace we feel.

Read Isaiah 48:22. Notice that those who choose wickedness will not have peace.

Think about times when you may have lacked peace because of your own disobedience.

The Lord will bless us with peace as we obey His commandments. Write in your personal journal or your Notes on LDS.org one way you can choose to be more obedient to the Lord’s commandments so you can feel greater peace.

Reasons for Feeling Forgotten

Isaiah warned the Israelites that because of their wickedness, they would be scattered.

Read Isaiah 49:14, looking for how the Israelites (referred to in this verse as “Zion”) would feel because of their scattered condition. You may want to mark what you find.

What are some reasons that people today may sometimes feel that the Lord has forgotten them?

“Graven upon the Palms of [the Savior’s] Hands”

Isaiah 49 records the words the Lord spoke to reassure the Israelites that He had not forgotten them and to reassure them of His love for them.

Notice the word graven in verse 16. To engrave is to cut or carve something into an object so the imprint remains there permanently. Read Isaiah 49:15–16, looking for truths that can help you when you may feel the Lord has forgotten you.

Quiz 1

1. True or false: The Savior will not forget any of Heavenly Father’s children because He has “graven [them] upon the palms of [His] hands.”

   1. True

   2. False

2. In what way have we been “graven upon the palms of [the Savior’s] hands”?

   1. When the Savior looks at His hands, He is reminded of His creations.

   2. The Savior’s death for us on the cross left nail prints in His hands.

   3. The Savior’s hands were used to heal and help others.

3. How might the fact that we have been “graven upon the palms of [the Savior’s] hands” demonstrate the Savior’s love for us?

   1. It shows His knowledge, power, and wisdom.

   2. It shows that He was mortal and could experience pain.

   3. It shows His willingness to atone for our sins.

The Gathering of Israel

Isaiah 49:16 testifies that the Lord loves us and He will never forget us.

As recorded in Isaiah 49:17–26, Isaiah prophesied that in the latter days the Lord would also not forget the descendants of Israel. These sons and daughters of God will be gathered in great numbers. Isaiah 49:22–23 specifically refers to how the Gentiles, or non-Israelite people, will assist in this process. The Lord testified that the time will come when all people will know that He is the Savior and Redeemer of us all.

2. What experiences have helped you know that the Lord is the Redeemer, that He loves you, and that He has not forgotten you?

The Captivity of Sin

When we sin we might feel like the Savior might not want us anymore. As recorded in Isaiah 50:1, the Lord said He had not forsaken or sold His chosen people; rather, they had sold themselves into the captivity of sin.

3. Answer the following questions:

• How does committing sin cause us to lose our freedom?

• Once we have sinned and sold ourselves into captivity, what needs to happen in order for us to regain our freedom?

Redemption

The word redeem means “to buy back” or “to free from captivity by payment of ransom” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed. [2003], “redeem”).

Read Isaiah 50:2, looking for what the Savior said about His power and ability to redeem us, or buy us back, from the captivity of sin.

What do you think the Savior meant when He asked, “Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver?”

What the Savior Suffered

As you studied Isaiah 50:2 you may have thought of a truth similar to this: The Savior has the power to redeem us because of His Atonement.

Read Isaiah 50:4–7, looking for words and phrases the Lord uses to describe what would happen to Him as part of His Atonement. You may want to mark those words and phrases that remind you of what the Savior suffered for us.

Redeemer of Israel

Remember that while the Savior performed the Atonement and therefore has the power to redeem us from the captivity of sin, each of us must choose to come unto Him by repenting of our sins in order to be redeemed.

If there are any sins you need to repent of in your life right now, what can you do to choose to repent? You may want to write your thoughts in your personal journal or your Notes on LDS.org.

Find the lyrics to the hymn “Redeemer of Israel” (Hymns, no. 6), and read the words.

Watch and listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform the hymn “Redeemer of Israel.” You might want to sing along as you listen.

4. What feelings do you have about any phrases or verses from this hymn? What stands out to you?

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) a; (2) b; (3) c