Isa. 50:1; refer in this text to 3 Ne. 12:31-32
“The question posed to Israel about her divorced status is a metaphorical reference to the law of divorce given in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Under this law, if a wife was found unfaithful (unclean) her husband could dissolve the marriage by giving her a ‘bill of divorcement.’ Even though Israel had been unfaithful to her husband—the Lord—He had never given her such a document; she was never officially divorced… . The Lord further states that neither has Israel been sold into bondage to relieve a debt, for He has no creditors. (At that time, one in debt could sell his children into servitude to pay the debt. See Exodus 21:7; Nehemiah 5:1-5… . In speaking to latter-day Israel, who is to be redeemed, reference is made to her ‘mother’ who was ‘put away’ (separated) because of her ‘transgressions.’ Some have suggested this implies ancient Israel (the mother) was divorced (put away) but that the bill of divorcement does not apply to modern Israel. However, it appears that ancient ‘mother Israel’ left her Husband (put herself away).” (Hoyt W. Brewster, Jr., Isaiah Plain and Simple, pp. 206, 208)