< 2 Nephi 8 >

Isaiah 51 – Breakdown
Context
  • Written to a people in exile, Isaiah offers comfort and reassurance.
  • God calls Israel to remember their roots, trust His power, and anticipate redemption.
  • The Servant figure and covenant promises are central.
  • The tone shifts between encouragement and rebuke, moving toward Zion’s restoration.
Verses 1–3: Look to Your Covenant Roots
  • v.1 – Addressed to those who “follow after righteousness.”
  • v.2 – Look to Abraham and Sarah → Israel’s covenant origin from one man and woman.
  • v.3 – The Lord will comfort Zion; her wilderness will be like Eden, full of joy and gladness.
Point: Remember God’s faithfulness in the past → He can restore again.
Verses 4–8: God’s Law and Deliverance Endure
  • v.4–5 – God’s law and justice will be a light to the nations; His salvation is near.
  • v.6 – The earth and heavens will vanish, but God’s salvation will be forever.
  • v.7–8 – Those who know righteousness should not fear people’s reproach, because human power is temporary; God’s righteousness is eternal.
Point: Human opposition is fleeting, but God’s salvation endures forever.
Verses 9–11: Prayer for God’s Arm to Awake
  • v.9 – A call/prayer: “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord.” Remember how You defeated Rahab (Egypt, chaos).
  • v.10 – God dried up the sea to deliver His people in the Exodus.
  • v.11 – The redeemed will return with singing and everlasting joy.
Point: Past deliverance (Exodus) guarantees future redemption.
Verses 12–16: God’s Comfort vs. Human Fear
  • v.12–13 – God Himself comforts His people. Why fear mortal oppressors who fade like grass?
  • v.14 – Captives will soon be freed and not die in the pit.
  • v.15 – God rules the seas and chaos; He is Creator.
  • v.16 – God has put His words in the Servant’s mouth, protecting His people and establishing creation.
Point: Fear God, not man. He is the Deliverer and Creator.
Verses 17–23: Zion Awakens from God’s Wrath
  • v.17–20 – Zion has drunk the “cup of God’s wrath” (captivity, suffering). She is like a staggering drunk with no one to guide her.
  • v.21–22 – God now takes the cup of wrath from Zion and gives it to her enemies.
  • v.23 – Those who oppressed Zion will be trampled down.
Point: God’s judgment of His people is ending; now it shifts to their enemies.

 Key Themes in Isaiah 51
  1. Remember the covenant – Abraham and Sarah prove God can bring greatness from small beginnings.
  2. God’s justice is eternal – unlike human oppression which fades.
  3. Exodus as a pattern – past deliverance foreshadows future redemption.
  4. Fear God, not men – mortal powers are temporary.
  5. Cup of wrath exchanged – God’s people suffer for a time, but deliverance and joy are assured.

Cross References
  • 2 Nephi 8 – Book of Mormon parallel, reinforcing covenant promises.
  • Revelation 7:9–17 – echoes of redeemed people singing with everlasting joy.
  • Jeremiah 25:15–17 – “cup of wrath” imagery.
  • Hebrews 11:8–12 – Abraham and Sarah as examples of faith.​
​v. 7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. 

Fear not menThose who know righteousness should not fear people's reproach, becuase human power is temporary, God's righteousness is eternal.
v. 9 ... Art thou not he that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?

Rahab is EgyptRahab is a poetic name for Egypt - it also comes from a Hebrew root meaning proud or arrogant.

The dragon (serpent / monster) is a symbol of chaos and evil, often connected with Leviathan. It represents the forces of chaos that oppose God. Here, it likely represents Pharoah/Egypt.
v. 24: Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

Israel will be redeemedIsaiah 51:17–23 / 2 Nephi 8:24–25
  • Zion (Jerusalem) is pictured as drunken with God’s wrath, staggering with no one to guide her.
  • Her “sons” (leaders, children) can’t rescue her.
  • She’s utterly helpless…until God Himself steps in.
  • The new chapter begins with another double call: “Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city.”Zion is told to shake herself from the dust, loose the bands from her neck→ a reversal of captivity and humiliation.
  • This is God announcing: Your slavery and shame are over; I am redeeming you