2 Nephi 15:16-19

Brant Gardner

Isaiah emphasizes that his destruction comes as a result of God’s righteous judgment against a sinful house of Jacob, which has strayed from following God’s path.

In verse 17 we get the continuation of contrasts. These are not very clear to modern readers because we miss some of the assumptions. The idea is that the domesticated animals will graze, but will be doing it in what were inhabited places. One translation suggests a contrast between sheep and goats, rather than sheep and strangers, as in the King James Version translation.

There are poetic parallels in drawing iniquity with cords, and sins with rope. The point is not that there is a difference, but rather that all sins might be drawn to us.

Verse 19 is sarcastic. Those who have been drawing sin with cords of vanity will say that the Lord should hasten his work, “that we may see it.” Isaiah subtly declares that they are seeing it, but that they miss it. They may say the right things, but what they are doing denies what they say.

Book of Mormon Minute

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