2 Nephi 14-16

2 Nephi – Lesson 7: 2 Nephi 14-16 (to be discussed March 1)
Day 1: Read 2 Nephi 14:1-6; Isaiah 4:1-6; Isaiah 60:18-21
1. According to the chapter heading, what period of time is described in chapter 14?


2. Use footnotes to Isaiah 4:1a and d to help explain 2 Nephi 14:1. What picture does this verse paint regarding the last days? (Note: Some commentaries suggest Isaiah 4:1 more rightly belongs at the end of Isaiah 3.)



3. 2 Nephi 14:2-6 give a more positive picture of the last days. Again, read the footnotes in Isaiah 4 to help understand the imagery in vv. 2-4. Read also Isaiah 60:18-21. From 2 Nephi 14:5, after the earth has been cleansed where will the Spirit of the Lord be manifested?




Day 2: Read 2 Nephi 15:1-7; Isaiah 5:1-7
4. How does the chapter heading define the Lord’s vineyard (see also v. 7)? Read the footnote to Isaiah 5:1b. From v. 2, list what the Lord did to care for his vineyard.



5. How did the men of Judah disappoint the Lord?



Day 3: Read 2 Nephi 15:8-17; Isaiah 5:8-17
6. Use footnotes from Isaiah 5:8-17 to help define the sins of the people in Isaiah’s day. List similar sins as we know them today.





7. (Note: The “ten-acre vineyard” should read “ten yoke” or in other words, the land plowed by ten yoke of oxen in one day. A “bath” is a relatively small amount of liquid measure, around 6-8 gallons. A “homer” is a large amount of seed, around 6 bushels; an “ephah” equals a tenth of a homer.) What are the consequences of these sins as described by Isaiah?



Day 4: Read 2 Nephi 15:18-23; Isaiah 5:18-23
8. Read the footnote to Isaiah 5:18c, then explain what kind of tendencies give the appearance that one is dumber than an ox.



9. Use footnote c for Isaiah 5:19 to explain one meaning for 2 Nephi 15:19.



10. More “wo’s” are pronounced in this chapter. Upon whom are the wo’s declared in verses 20-23? (see footnotes for help. Give examples of these kind of sins today.




Day 5: Read 2 Nephi 15:24-30; Isaiah 5:24-30
11. Verses 24 and 25 begin with the words “therefore,” introducing the consequences of the sins outlined in vv. 18-23. What do you think it means when Isaiah says the Lord’s “hand is stretched out still”?



12. Verse 26 shifts to a vision of the latter days. Using the footnote to Isaiah 5:26b, what is meant by Isaiah’s statement that the Lord will “hiss” to the nations of the earth?



13. How swiftly will people travel in the last days? What images in vv. 28-30 indicate war?




Day 6: Read 2 Nephi 16:1-5; Isaiah 6:1-5; D&C 77:4
14. Chapter 16 contains Isaiah’s mission call. The timing is around 740 BC. Where did Isaiah see the Lord in vision? What is the “train” in his vision?



15. After reading D&C 77:4, what do the wings on the seraphim represent? Why do you think these angelic beings covered their faces and their feet in God’s presence?



16. How did Isaiah feel about his worthiness to serve? Can you think of other prophets who felt the same?


Day 7: Read 2 Nephi 16:6-13; Isaiah 6:6-13
17. Where did the seraph get the coal which he placed on Isaiah’s lips to cleanse them? Does this sound like it would hurt? What might it represent?


18. What was Isaiah’s attitude toward his calling after he had been purified? What does this teach us about how to stand with confidence in God’s presence?



19. Does it sound like Isaiah’s mission will be easy? Successful?


20. What hope does Isaiah receive?