Isaiah 3-4

(December 14, 2014)

                I had two thoughts going through these chapters.  The first was on the idea of being oppressed by our neighbors.  We might think this doesn’t happen nowadays, but compared to the level of community that existed in the time of Isaiah I cannot help but recognize that this prophecy has been fulfilled fully and completely.  How often do we find ourselves dealing with people who don’t have our interests in mind, or for whom we don’t have their best interests at heart?  This is likely true for many of us a substantial portion of the day.  For some of us, the majority of our daily interactions are with those who seek to oppress us.

                The second thought was on Isaiah 4:5.  What a powerful scripture this is.  We know that the children of Israel were led during their wanderings in the desert by a cloud of smoke in the day and a pillar of fire by night.  What Isaiah is promising is that each house (not just the people as a whole) will be led by this cloud of smoke and pillar of fire.  In other words, Isaiah is prophesying about the day when each and every person will have the Holy Ghost and become personally directed by the Lord in what they should do.  I cannot imagine a greater blessing to be promised to us.