Literature: Verses 1–4 describe the future, but verse 5 shifts abruptly to the past. Such shifts are not unusual in Isaiah but are frequently confusing since he usually provides no transition. The unit Nephi copies (Isa. 2–5, 2 Ne. 12–15) describes the future and dwells on the many sins of Judah that will result in future calamities. Since these calamities cannot lead to the glorious future described in verses 1–4, they constitute an interpolation. Isaiah returns to events of the last days at the end of 2 Nephi 15 (Isa. 5):
And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth; and behold, they shall come with speed swiftly; none shall be weary nor stumble among them.
None shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken;
Whose arrows shall be sharp, and all their bows bent, and their horses’ hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind, their roaring like a lion. (2 Ne. 15:26–28)
These verses apparently parallel verses 1–4: the house of the Lord is raised/the ensign is raised. The result is peace/the result is war. However, these prophecies refer to different times. The first set of images deals with Yahweh’s final victory and peace. The second set of images deals with Yahweh who will conquer the nations, an event preceding his peace.
Scripture: Isaiah begins his call to repentance by establishing that the Israelites and Judahites have “gone astray” (the past tense is significant).