“Lesson 130: Isaiah 51–52,” Old Testament Seminary Student Material (2018)
“Lesson 130: Isaiah 51–52”
Lesson 130
Isaiah 51–52
Prepare to Learn
Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Remove all distractions, and focus on studying and learning. This shows your willingness to be taught by the Spirit.
Begin your study with prayer.
Think of a time when you have felt the burden of sin and guilt. During this time, did you long for healing and peace?
Listen to this account of a man who struggled to resist sin and wanted to be free of it. What did he learn about the Savior from his experience?
The Challenges of Being Righteous
1. What are some of the challenges you (or people you know) have faced because you (or they) were trying to be righteous?
Counsel for the Righteous
In Isaiah 51, we read that the Lord spoke through Isaiah to those who were trying to be righteous. As you study this chapter, look for principles that can help you in your efforts to be righteous.
Read Isaiah 51:1–2, looking for what the Lord counseled those who are trying to be righteous to do. Note that Isaiah often repeated the same ideas in different ways.
Quiz 1
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According to these verses, what did the Lord counsel those who are trying to be righteous to do? Select all that apply.
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“Look unto the brazen serpent.”
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“Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn.”
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“Look unto Abraham and Sarah.”
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“Look unto Mount Sinai.”
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Abraham and Sarah
The phrase “the rock whence ye are hewn” in Isaiah 51:1 refers to Abraham and Sarah. The command to “look unto Abraham … and unto Sarah” (verse 2) is an invitation to the people of Israel to remember and keep the covenants that the Lord had established with Abraham and Sarah.
As part of the Abrahamic covenant, “Abraham received the gospel and was ordained to the higher priesthood (D&C 84:14; Abr. 2:11), and he entered into celestial marriage, which is the covenant of exaltation (D&C 131:1–4; 132:19, 29). Abraham received a promise that all of the blessings of these covenants would be offered to his mortal posterity (D&C 132:29–31; Abr. 2:6–11)” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Abrahamic Covenant,” scriptures.lds.org).
Read Isaiah 51:3, looking for how the Lord will bless those who remember and keep their covenants. Waste places refers to land that is barren or unproductive. What can we learn about the Lord from knowing that He can take the desert and turn it into something as beautiful as the Garden of Eden? How can this represent what happens in the life of someone who keeps his or her covenants?
The Lord’s Promise
From the Lord’s counsel to those who were striving to be righteous, we learn that as we remember our covenants and keep them, the Lord will bless us and comfort us.
2. Answer the following questions:
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What words and phrases in Isaiah 51:1–3 describe how the Lord’s people would be comforted?
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How has the Lord comforted you (or people you know) during challenging times as you (or they) were faithful to Him through keeping covenants?
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What did you learn about the Savior and His character through this experience where He comforted you or someone you know?
No Need to Fear
We read in Isaiah 51:4–8 that the Lord taught the people of Israel that He would judge them righteously. He also taught them that if they had His law in their hearts, or kept His commandments, then they had no reason to fear the “revilings” (verse 7), or mocking, of others.
Read Isaiah 51:7–8, looking for why those who are righteous should not be afraid of what others say or do to them.
Spiritual Sleep
We read in Isaiah 51:9–11 that the Lord’s people were pleading with the Lord to “awake” (verse 9), or to use His power to help them as He had done in the past and to fulfill His promises. According to verses 12–23, the Lord explained, however, that the people were the ones who needed to awaken.
Read Isaiah 52:1–3, and look for what the Lord invited His people to do to wake up from their spiritual sleep.
Quiz 2
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Match the phrase from Isaiah 52:1–2 on the left with its meaning on the right. Read Doctrine and Covenants 113:7–10 for help with this quiz.
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According to verse 3, what did the people of Israel receive when they “sold [them]selves” through sin?
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Lucre (money)
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Nought (nothing)
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Idleness (laziness)
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Redemption
The people of Israel received “nought” (Isaiah 52:3), or nothing, when they turned away from the Lord by sinning. We likewise receive nothing positive when we sin.
According to Isaiah 52:3, the Lord told the Israelites that they would “be redeemed without money.” This means that redemption from sin cannot be bought, and the Lord offers it to us freely. However, the process of returning to the Lord does have a price. We must be willing to offer Him a broken heart and a contrite spirit and put forth great effort to repent.
What principle do these verses teach us concerning what we must do to be redeemed from the effects of our sins?
Repentance
From Isaiah 52:1–3 we can identify the principle that when we repent and come unto the Lord, He will redeem us from the effects of our sins.
How can this truth inspire you to repent when you sin?
Messengers
Anciently during times of war, people would anxiously await news from the battlefield. This news was often brought by runners traveling on foot.
As recorded in Isaiah 52:7–8, Isaiah compared these battlefield messengers with Jesus Christ and His message of salvation (see also Mosiah 15:13–18). The messengers Isaiah described included prophets and others who would share Jesus Christ’s gospel.
Read Isaiah 52:7–8, looking for how those who share the message of salvation with others are described.
Beautiful Feet
Publisheth means to proclaim or tell. Those who initially publish the message of salvation and the “watchmen” spoken of in verse 8 are prophets.
The description of “beautiful” feet is an expression of gratitude for those who bring people the gospel message—a message that fills those who hear it with joy and peace.
Read Isaiah 52:9–10, looking for how those who receive the gospel message will feel.
What principle can we identify from these verses about sharing the gospel with others?
The Message of the Gospel
One principle we can identify from Isaiah 52:9–10 is that when we share the message of the gospel, we offer joy to others.
3. Answer the following questions:
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What tools and methods are available today that can help you spread the gospel and share it with your friends and family?
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In what ways has your testimony of the Savior grown as you have seen the gospel bring joy to others?
Worthy of the Lord’s Help
Remember that Isaiah 51–52 records Isaiah’s words to the Lord’s covenant people, who had been asleep spiritually.
As recorded in Isaiah 52:11–12, Isaiah promised the people that if they repented and were clean, “the Lord [would] go before [them]; and the God of Israel [would] be [their] rearward” (verse 12). This promise refers to the protection God gives to those who come to Him.
Questions to Ponder
Ponder the following questions:
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What can you do to keep your covenants so that the Lord can bless and comfort you?
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In what ways might you be spiritually asleep? What might you need to do to awaken, repent, and come to the Lord?
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What are some specific ways that you can testify to other people that “thy God reigneth!” (Isaiah 52:7)? How will testifying of this truth help you and them become more like our Father in Heaven?
Write in a personal journal or in your Notes on LDS.org how you will act on any promptings you receive.
Answer Key
Quiz 1: (1) b, c
Quiz 2: (1) 1-b, 2-a; (2) b