1  HEARKEN and hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, or out of the waters of baptism, [ While they made the covenant with God here, but as we will see later in this verse they did not make an effort to really know God. Daniel Ludlow says the phrase “or out of the waters of baptism” did not appear in the first edition of the Book of Mormon. (A Companion To Your Study of the Book of Mormon, p120) McConkie and Millet said that it first appeared in the 1840 and 1842 editions this way [in red]: “(or out of the waters of baptism)” and then again without parentheses in the 1920 editions and all editions thereafter. They state it is prophetic commentary by Joseph Smith to call “our attention to the fact that the ordinance of baptism was as common to the people of the Old Testament as it was” to those of the Book of Mormon—Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon 1:151–52. ] who swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, yet they swear not in truth nor in righteousness. [ Suggesting that they claimed to have a special status with God, however they did not know him at all. How could Joseph Smith have known? Hebrew has fewer adverbs than English. Instead, it often uses prepositional phrases with the preposition meaning in or with. The English translation of the Book of Mormon contains more of these prepositional phrases in place of adverbs than we would expect if the book had been written in English originally—another Hebraism, in this case "in righteousness" instead of righteously. (The Maxwell Institute - Hebrew Background of the Book Of Mormon - http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/books/?bookid=72&chapid=862). ]

2 Nevertheless, they call themselves of the holy city, [ Jerusalem. ] but they do not [ Hypocrisy. W. Cleon Skousen writes: “Notice that the absence of the word “not” in the King James translation almost makes the verse meaningless. The Book of Mormon corrects this error. (Isaiah Speaks to Modern Times, p. 603 ) Ludlow says: “In these two verses [1–2], Isaiah identifies various parties who should be honoring their vows with God.” (Unlocking Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, p. 38) Reading just these two verses makes me want to ask why Nephi quoted this to his brothers and to his people? Was he warning them not to apostatize like the people back in Jerusalem? Is he speaking to us as Latter-day Saints to warn us of apostasy too? ] stay themselves upon [ Pretend to rely upon. This is similar to the condemnation of Jerusalem made by Lehi and other Prophets (see 1 Nephi 1:13, 18–19), and could be a form of condemnation which was given to Laman and Lemuel. This should also be had as a warning to those of the latter days - It does not matter in what you put your trust, money, power, fame, political power, none of them will matter. It will only matter if you put your trust in God, he is the only one that can save. ] the God of Israel, who is the Lord of Hosts; yea, the Lord of Hosts [ What exactly does “host” mean? The phrase “Lord of Hosts” is the same as the “Lord of Sabaoth.” “The Lord of Sabaoth was a title of Jehovah; the hosts were the armies of Israel (1 Sam. 17:45), but also included the angelic armies of heaven” (Bible Dictionary, “Sabaoth,” ] is his name.

3 Behold, I have declared the former things [ He spoke of them before their occurrence, and then “shewed them … suddenly” by bringing them to pass (Old Testament Student Manual, “The Gathering of Isreal and the Coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 48–54). he showed them things before they happened - prophesied. ] from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them. I did show them suddenly.

4 And I did it because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; [ Seems to speak directly to the rebellious and stubborn members of Nephi’s family” and “fits Nephi’s older brothers Laman and Lemuel perfectly.” (Andrew Skinner, Isaiah in the Book of Mormon p 100). ]

5 And I have even from the beginning declared to thee; before it came to pass I showed them thee; and I showed them for fear lest thou shouldst say— Mine idol hath done them, [ See also Abraham 1:5; By telling them before hand the apostates could not give credit to the power of their various idols. He wants them to know that these things of which he is prophesying are from God. ] and my graven image, and my molten image hath commanded them.

6 Thou hast seen and heard all this; and will ye not declare them? And that I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. [ 1 Cor 9: 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! ]

7 They are created now, and not from the beginning, even before the day when thou heardest them not they were declared unto thee, lest thou shouldst say— Behold I knew them. [ or "I already knew that." The Lord then promised to defer His anger but utterly refused to give His glory to false gods or to suffer His name to be polluted (compare v. 11 with 1 Nephi 20:11). Thus the Lord’s purpose for revealing the future unto man is partly made clear: it is the solid proof that He is truly God, for no mute idol could possibly duplicate such a feat. (Old Testament Student Manual, Kings–Malachi, “The Gathering of Isreal and the Coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 48–54). ]

[ We are just 8 verses into 1 Ne 20 and have seen how Israel was warned of God’s foreknowledge of their apostasy and how Nephi warns his people of the same potential, especially his older brothers. At the same time, he is inviting them to start anew as a covenant people. ] 8 Yea, and thou [ The entire house of Israel. ] heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; [ You cannot see the future, you do not know what is going to happen tomorrow, or if you make this one choice. ] yea, from that time thine ear was not opened; for I knew that thou wouldst deal very treacherously, [ However I knew what was going to happen, the trials that would befall you. He knows the beginning from the end, as such he knows exactly what will happen tomorrow. ] and wast called transgressor from the womb. [ Ps 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. We are also transgressors' when we make no attempt to study that word of the Lord that we might follow it. We have after all been given ears to hear and eye's with which to see, and what do we do with them? ]

9 Nevertheless, for my name’s [ Elder James E. Talmage quoted Smith’s Comprehensive Dictionary of the Bible, to explain: “Name in the scriptures not only [means] that by which a person is designated, but frequently [means] all that is known to belong to the person having this designation, and the person himself. Thus ‘the name of God’ or ‘of Jehovah,’ etc., indicates His authority (Deut. 18:20; Matt. 21:9, etc.), His dignity and glory (Isa. 48:9, etc.), His protection and favor (Prov. 18:10, etc.), His character (Exo. 34:5, 14, compare 6, 7, etc.), His divine attributes in general (Matt. 6:9, etc.), etc. The Lord is said to set or put His name where the revelation or manifestation of His perfections is made (Deut. 12:5, 14:24, etc.). ] sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off.

10 For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. [ Most of us experience some measure of what the scriptures call “the furnace of affliction” …Through the justice and mercy of a loving Father in Heaven, the refinement and sanctification possible through such experiences can help us achieve what God desires us to become. Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Nov. 2000 “…if we were to close the doors upon sorrow and distress, we might be excluding our greatest friends and benefactors. Suffering can make saints of people as they learn patience, long-suffering, and self-mastery. …I love the verse of ‘How Firm a Foundation’ When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’er flow For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle. p 98 (Also see: “The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design, thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine” Hymns, no. 85) Note how Isaiah’s metaphor introduced back in verse 4 still applies—those whose necks are iron and whose brows are brass need to be melted down and made pliable in the furnace of affliction—Bytheway, Isaiah for Airheads, Kindle Edition The Savior’s “mission is to cleanse, purify, and refine the human soul so that it can return to his Father’s kingdom in purity, free from dross. (3 Ne. 27:19–21.) His cleansing power ‘is like a refiner’s fire, … And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver’ in that great day when he comes to judge the world. (Mal. 3:2–3; 3 Ne. 24:2–3; D.&C. 128:24)” Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 624. ]

11 For mine own sake, yea, for mine own sake will I do this, for I will not suffer my name to be polluted, [ The Luther Bible translates this mean: “lest my name be slandered for not keeping my promise.” David J. Ridges, Isaiah in the Book of Mormon Made Easier, p 130 The names of God the Father and his son, Jesus Christ, are sacred. The prophet Isaiah taught that the Lord will not suffer these names to be dishonored—“polluted” as the scriptures say. (See 1 Ne. 20:11; Isa. 48:11.) Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, May 1986, p 49. ] and I will not give my glory unto another. [ "Applying these words to us and our daistory. The bot open most ntense period of adversity insis l. He desires the th period of intense adversity to sift Israel. He desires to shar l am with the rightous, but He will not empower the wicked. Reme wanted the Father's glory for his own self-aggrandizement. Conte damage that Satan could wield if he had the full power of God. To safeguard His power, the Lord will purge and refine the House to that only those worthy of magnification within it will remain. not learn of the Lord in the quiet chambers of their homes, they will of Him in the burning furnace of affliction. Either way, the dross th people will be refined. Remember, anyone that survives the Great and Terrible Day of the l will make it to the millennium. After Christ appeared to the Nept three generations passed away in righteousness. Not a soul who is, those days was lost. The same will be true for the millennium. To the trials of the last days will be of such intensity that only the tre disciples of the Lord will remain." Michael Rush Delight in the Plainness. pg 127. ]

12  Hearken [ Hebrew "Shema" is translated here as hearkenwhich means to "listen" and "obey".] unto me, O Jacob, [ Joseph and Judah. ] and Israel [ The lost ten tribes. ] my called, for I am he; [ “I am He” The Lord reaffirms His identity. The Lord told Moses that his name was “I AM” (Exodus 3:14), and the phrase “I am” appears three times in verse 12. The Lord is the creator of the earth and the heavens. All the elements in the universe listen to and obey the Lord. ] I am the first, and I am also the last.

13  Mine hand hath also laid the foundation of the earth, [ In the previous verse “The Lord declares He is the First and the Last” then in this verse, ” He is the God of the Old Testament—Jehovah—as well as the Savior of the New Testament—Jesus Christ! By His right, or covenant, hand He has created all things. He reminds His chosen (called) people that His creations obey Him.” —Hoyt W. Brewster, Isaiah Plain & Simple, p 181. ] and my right hand hath spanned the heavens. [ There is more to God's plan that just this earth as his plan is expansive, such that he fills the heavens and all of eternity. To really try to grasp his plan we need look beyond just our time here on earth. ] I call unto them [ The inhabited worlds. ] and they stand up together.

14 All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; who among them hath declared these things unto them? The Lord hath loved him; yea, and he will fulfil his word [ The most important point in this verse is that the Lord will fulfill his word which his servants and prophets have declared. The LDS Bible footnote God will use the Persian King Cyrus will do his desire, or wish. ] which he hath declared by them; [ Through his servants. ] and he will do his pleasure on Babylon, [ The cultural, commercial center to the east.While Babylon is big and powerful at ;east it appears to be it will be nothing at the hand of God. In D&C 133:14, the Lord’s people are told to “go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon.” ] and his arm shall come upon the Chaldeans.

15 Also, saith the Lord; I the Lord, yea, I have spoken; yea, I have called him [ In addition to “him” being Cyrus, Monte Nyman believes “him” could be Israel. Great are the Words of Isaiah p 171. Victor Ludlow believes the description best fits the Lord Jesus Christ himself. Isaiah, Prophet, Seer and Poet, 405 David J. Ridges, suggests it “could also mean that Heavenly Father called Christ to prophesy; also that Christ called Isaiah prophesy.—Isaiah in the Book of Mormon Made Easier, p 131. ] to declare, I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.

16 Come ye near unto me; I have not spoken in secret; [ The intent in the Book of Mormon is that the Lord has spoken openly and not in secret, and that his spoken openly from the time that the prophecies were first declared. The intent is again that Israel shall have no excuse for not knowing that the Lord was the source of the prophecies. H. Clay Gorton, The Legacy of the Brass Plates of Laban, p 102 ] from the beginning, from the time that it was declared have I spoken; and the Lord God, [ Hebrew - Yahweh ( or Jehovah which means "to become" or "to exist") translated as Lord; Elohim translated as God ("the Gods") which together the words mean "He will cause Gods to be". ] , and his Spirit, [ Not only do we have the written word from the beginning but we also have the spirit of God to teach us if we will ask and listen.] hath sent me.

17 And thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I have sent him, the Lord thy God who teacheth thee to profit, [ He wants the best for each of us, but that will not just come to everyone, but it will come to those who make the sacrifice to know. As President Nelson suggests to "here him". He will profited them who will listen because they will be prepared for the devastating events of the last days. They will know what is happening, why it is happening and the steps to prepare, and they will reach out to others to help them prepare as well. The will be the ones who will lead others back to the Savior, the Holy One Of Israel. ] who leadeth thee by the way thou shouldst go, hath done it. [ The Lord is speaking of His prophets who have “declared” what the Lord has revealed to them. He loves them and will “fulfil” all his words which they have spoken. Thomas R. Valletta, The Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families, p 62. The Lord’s counsel and commandments are always for the blessing (profit) of the obedient, while they who reject his words sow the seeds of sorrow and disappointment. (See Hymns 239, Choose the Right)—Hoyt W. Brewster, Isaiah Plain & Simple, p 183. ]

18 O that thou hadst hearkened [ Hebrew "Shema" is translated here as hearkened which means "listened" and "obeyed". ] to my commandments— then had thy peace been as a river, [ Isaiah, speaking for the Lord, laments the wonderful blessings that the wicked Israelites are throwing away. He compares the peace of righteousness that the Israelites could obtain to an endlessly flowing river and to infinitely rolling waves of the sea.] and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. [ While the tide may rise and ebb the waves pound upon the shore over and over, the rhythm is consistent. Suggesting that if Israel would have behaved as he wanted them to, if they would have been consistent in the dedication to him then their plight would have been muc better. ]

19  Thy seed also had been as the sand; [ We will be heirs to the Abrahamic promises: we will have descendants as numerous as the sands of the seashore, and an everlasting name before God. ] the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name [ Or the covenant that he has made with Israel. ] should not have been cut off [ Would have remained in full force. But that covenant cannot stand in full force if one does not keep their portion. ] nor destroyed from before me.

20  Go ye forth of Babylon, [ Or leave Babylon behind. Vs 19 and 20 are unmistakable Abrahamic language, language we’re all quite familiar with. …cast somewhat negatively here, since Israel hasn’t kept the Lord’s commandments to them, and so they haven’t yet seen anything of the fulfillment of these promises. But Israel has another chance. Always another chance. They’re given a new commandment: “Go ye forth of Babylon! Flee ye from the Chaldeans!”. ] flee ye from the [ Get away from these, leave them behind as they have no redemptive power, they really have nothing to offer. The world has nothing to offer when compared to what the Lord is offerring Israel. ] Chaldeans, [ The allure and luxury of the world. ] with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter to the end of the earth; say ye: The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob.

21 And they thirsted not; he led them through the deserts; [ Referring to the redemption of the children of Israel whom he lead under the direction of Moses through the desert away from Egypt, that he might once again restore them with their promised blessings. ] he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them; [ A reminder by Isaiah of what God has done for them. He uses as examples events from the time of Moses. Examples of Gods great power. (see Exodus 17:1–6; Numbers 20:11). Water from a rock could be a symbol of the Living Water that comes from Christ, who is also the “rock of our salvation”. ] he clave the rock also and the waters gushed out.

22 And notwithstanding he hath done all this, [ Even though the Lord lead them away from out of Egypt, even though he tried to re-establish them with their previous covenants the people rejected him. ] and greater also, [ And they rejected God the Father as well. ] there is no peace, [ Why? Because where does real peace come from? It has to include God and his plan, The knowledge that what you are doing is according to God's plan, that where you are going is where God would have you go, and knowling that God is with you in the process. ] saith the Lord, unto the wicked. [ Miracles do not bring peace to the soul if you continue in sin. You have seen the miracles us them to turn toward God (57:21; 1 Ne. 20:22; Alma 41:10). ]