“Strangers Shall Be Joined with Them and They Shall Cleave to the House of Jacob”

Bryan Richards

In the Old Testament, the term strangers means Gentiles. In the Book of Mormon, the Gentiles often refers to the Americas (1 Ne. 13:14-15). Therefore, it is not unreasonable to conclude that Isaiah’s prophecy refers to the political alliance of the United States and Israel prior to the Millenium. After the Millenium, the Gentiles will continue to look to Jerusalem and Zion for spiritual guidance. In that day, ’many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob ’ (Isa 2:3). In that day shall the Gentiles ’cleave to the house of Jacob.’

“Such spiritual blessings as come to the Gentiles shall be theirs because they cleave unto Israel. ‘And the people’—the Gentiles—’shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them’—the Gentiles—’in the land of the Lord for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.’ (”Isa. 14:1“Isa. 14:2”Isa. 14:3“Isa. 14:4”Isa. 14:5“Isa. 14:6”Isa. 14:7Isa. 14:1-7.) Israel shall rule; the Gentiles shall serve; the kingdom is the Lord’s. His people are the governing ones—such is the meaning of Isaiah’s imagery." (The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982], 316.)

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