“He Shall Divide the Spoil with the Strong”

D. Kelly Ogden, Andrew C. Skinner

“He shall divide the spoil with the strong”—the strong and faithful will become joint-heirs with the Savior, possessing with him the fulness of the Father (Romans 8:17; D&C 50:26–28; 76:50–60; 88:107; 93:15–30; 132:20).

Christ’s atonement was active rather than passive suffering. “By saying that he poured out his soul unto death, Isaiah may be suggesting why it was important for him to die on the cross—for this manner of death allowed him time to do the pouring out. If he had been beheaded, hanged, run through with a sword, or stoned, he would have died instantaneously without having had any time to use his volition in giving up his life. When they put him on the cross to see that he died, all they needed to satisfy their desires was time. Given time, he would die. But by giving him time, they gave him control over the giving. He could decide at what point to lay down his life. Thus, as a priest sacrificing a lamb, he performed the sacrifice. And as a Lamb, he became his own victim. (Heb. 8:1–2; 9:11–16, esp. v. 14.) This crucial detail was known to Isaiah when he said that the righteous servant would pour out his own soul unto death.” 28

The grand purpose of Jesus’ suffering is for us to become his seed and declare his generation. Jesus came to earth to be a suffering Servant, and his was a unique service to all humankind. Isaiah’s description of Jesus’ service is also unique; no one else could possibly fulfill such an appointed service except the Son of God himself.

Verse by Verse: The Book of Mormon: Vol. 1

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