Saturday, March 15, 2008

Great are the words of Isaiah

I'm teaching Old Testament this year and we're in Isaiah for three weeks. I'm fascinated by how much I have memorized because I've sung it for years. Isaiah named the Savior so many times. And one of my favorite verses contains a bunch!

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

I can't read it without hearing it from "Messiah", and I can't read it aloud without the chokey voice hitting! lol

And speaking of names, in Isaiah 1:4, he uses the first - Holy one of Israel. This name is used twice in Jeremiah, once in Ezekiel, three times in Psalms and once in 2 Kings. In 2 Kings it is Isaiah speaking. He uses it about 30 times in Isaiah. Lehi, Nephi and Jacob use that name 39 times. I know what you are thinking - they were quoting Isaiah. You are only right 4 times, 35 times they are writing on their own. But they learned from Isaiah, he was their very very favorite prophet.

Do you have favorite a verse? One that makes you feel good every time you read it. One of my favorites is also in Isaiah, 40:31. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

I've told you mine; you tell me yours.

6 comments:

Mamapierce said...

I like Amos 3:7 - Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants, the prophets. :o)

Anonymous said...

One of my favorites comes from Isaiah, too. 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

That one has saved me from more than one nervous breakdown (especially when I was in college).

nicole said...

You're doing such a wonderful job with those youth. The girls tell me so often how much they're learning and LOVING seminary!

As for my favorite scritpure... I particularly love King Benjamin's address to his people. "I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness."

Cynthiana said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cynthiana said...

Sorry, let me try again. My favorite Isaiah passage is chapter 53 verses 4-6.
"4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. "
I'm sure you've sung those words a time or two thanks to Mr. Handel. I think they are very Eastery.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for doing a great job with the kids. I have 2 verses. First one is Alma 44:4 'For now ye see that this is the true faith of God...." That was the verse I opened to when I was asking if the church was true. It just reminds me that Heavenly Father is mindful and loving of each and everyone of his children. The other one is Mosiah 4:27, "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize, therefore all things must e done in order." This helps remind me that I don't have to accomplish everything that is to be done in my life - NOW. There is a time and place for it all.