While speaking to the people and to King Noah and his priests, Abinadi was not trying to build a relationship of trust. He was dealing with wicked, intentional sinners. He boldly denounced their sins.
While prophesying the people’s fate, Abinadi used some classic similes: His countrymen would be afflicted and howl because of the burdens lashed on their backs, being “driven before like a dumb ass.” The king’s life would be “valued even as a garment in a hot furnace” and “as the blossoms of a thistle, which, when it is fully ripe, if the wind bloweth, it is driven forth upon the face of the land.” The latter expression means that the king’s life would be blown away like a worthless weed.
“Go and Prophesy Unto This My People”
While speaking to the people and to King Noah and his priests, Abinadi was not trying to build a relationship of trust. He was dealing with wicked, intentional sinners. He boldly denounced their sins.
While prophesying the people’s fate, Abinadi used some classic similes: His countrymen would be afflicted and howl because of the burdens lashed on their backs, being “driven before like a dumb ass.” The king’s life would be “valued even as a garment in a hot furnace” and “as the blossoms of a thistle, which, when it is fully ripe, if the wind bloweth, it is driven forth upon the face of the land.” The latter expression means that the king’s life would be blown away like a worthless weed.