< Mosiah 12 >
v.21 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth;
The wicked priest's question basically means: “If this scripture is true, why aren’t YOU bringing good news YOU party pooper Abinadi?
Their implied accusation:
It’s a classic Pharisee-style trap. “If God sent you, you would say nice things. Since you don’t, you’re false.”
Abinadi responds (Mosiah 12:25–27): “Are you teaching this? Do you understand it?” He basically says: “You don’t understand Isaiah at all.”
He then:
The priests expected: Good tidings = political peace, prosperity, God favoring Noah.
Abinadi teaches: Good tidings = the coming of the Redeemer who will suffer and save. But there is the expectation that before salvation comes, you must repent.
The wicked priest's question basically means: “If this scripture is true, why aren’t YOU bringing good news YOU party pooper Abinadi?
Their implied accusation:
- Isaiah says messengers who come from God bring good tidings, peace, and salvation.
- Abinadi brings warnings, judgments, and doom.
- Therefore Abinadi must not be from God.
It’s a classic Pharisee-style trap. “If God sent you, you would say nice things. Since you don’t, you’re false.”
Abinadi responds (Mosiah 12:25–27): “Are you teaching this? Do you understand it?” He basically says: “You don’t understand Isaiah at all.”
He then:
- teaches the Law of Moses
- explains the relationship between the Law and the Messiah
- quotes all of Isaiah 53
- reveals that the “beautiful feet” passage refers to Christ, not to flattering political prophets
The priests expected: Good tidings = political peace, prosperity, God favoring Noah.
Abinadi teaches: Good tidings = the coming of the Redeemer who will suffer and save. But there is the expectation that before salvation comes, you must repent.
v. 29 And again he said unto them: If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with harlots, yea, and cause this people to commit sin...
Keeping the law of Moses
Having a heart set on riches breaks:
Keeping the law of Moses
Having a heart set on riches breaks:
- the 1st commandment (idolatry) - anything you trust, seek, or worship more than Yahweh is a "god".
- the 10th commandment (coveting) - desiring that which God has not appointed to you (wealth, power, women, ease, expensive living)
- Deut. 17:16-17 (king must not seek wealth - multiply wealth, multiply wives)
- Laws of justice to the poor (Deut. 15:7-11 - care for the poor)
- the 7th commandment - thou shalt not commit adultery
- Levitical purity laws (Lev 18 & 20)