Isaiah

Isaiah can be a difficult book to understand. Full of depth and symbolism it takes true patience and long suffering to understand this book. Knowing the background of Isaiah can help you understand his point of view the context of which he is talking about. Isaiah lived in a different time then us with different symbolism and foreign definitions to words and a geographical landscape that is unfamiliar from today. Here are 3 tips to better understand Isaiah.

A. Understand the manner of prophesying of the Jews. By understanding that they used the Law of Moses and how it impacted their life little pieces of Isaiah start to make sense. Like the Savior Isaiah used many images and parables to portray his point, not everything is to be taken literal. There are certain terms that have different definition than they did in Isaiah’s time. Because Isaiah talks in such depth we have to understand their type of prophesying to interpret it.


B. Become familiar with the geography of the Holy Land and regions surrounding it. Isaiah many times refers to the land and neighboring cities. By understanding the geography we can understand the challenges faced in their time. Isaiah also used towns symbolically such as Babylon was a symbol of wickedness, by understanding this as a symbol and not a city this changes the entire meaning and context of that section.


C. Understand the historical setting of Isaiah’s writings. To understand Isaiah it is important to understand the background of the people who he is teaching. Where they came from, what they have been through if they believed or have turned away all set how Isaiah will teach. Isaiah often talks about the conditions at that time, without knowing them these things might not make sense to us.


Knowing the background and history of Isaiah and his preaching sets the fundamental path to understanding him. You can’t build a tower mid air without support and you can’t fully understand Isaiah without knowing what his life was like and without knowing the vital background to set the story.

As you read the book of Isaiah here are some prevalent themes to watch for, to pick out that help be useful pieces of information to understanding Isaiah. These are things that we are used to hearing today that Isaiah also spoke of that might be easier for us to understand. Good luck with your reading!
1. Restoration of the Jews( House of Israel)
2. Believe in the Lord your Redeemer
3. Liken the scriptures unto us
4. God speaks truth
5. Christ is coming
6. The gospel brings happiness
7. Plan of Salvation
8. Prophecies of last days.
9. The Lord is salvation
10. God requires righteousness

Ecclesiastes

Introduction 

The book of Eeart be cclesiastes consists of reflections on some of the deepest problems of life. The author describes himself as "Son of David, King in Jerusalem". Ecclesiastes is written from the view point of the world, and should not be construed as theological pronouncements. 

Sought Happiness but Couldn't Find it 

The king that is speaking in the first 2 chapters was seeking happiness but couldn't find it. 

-Sought for Wisdom

- Wealth

-Had houses and vineyards and orchards 2:4-5

-Bought servants and maids 2:7

-Gathered treasure 2:8

He could have anything he wanted but nothing made him happy. He realized it isn't the temporal things that matter, it is the spiritual part of our life that will help us to be happy.

Principles Learned 

Here are two main principles that I learned from chapter 5

Verse 1: When we go to the temple go prepared to listen to the spirit. We don't need to focus on all the other things we could be doing and what a sacrifice it was to come. Instead leave the world behind and be happy to be in Gods house.

Verse 2: Think before you talk. In the verse it says "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart by hasty". This is a principle that I need to practice, sometimes the grumpy natural man comes out and I say things that I didn't mean, or hurt peoples feelings. If I take a second or two to think through what I am going to say it gives me a bit to calm down and reprocess something else to say. Or a better way to say it. 

Man's Purpose 

12:13-14 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

12:7 "Then shall the durst return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" 

Respecting God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of man when man dies our body returns to the ground and our spirit goes to Heaven. This is a good description of mans duty because God knows all of our secrets and all our acts. When judgement day comes we will be accountable for our works, so it is better to keep the commandments then to disobey them. 

Esther

      The story of Esther is one of the few books that is focused on a woman's work rather than a man's.  We can learn several principles as we read this story of faith, sacrifice, and standing for what's right. The story starts with King Ahasuerus having a royal feast for all his princes and servants. Meanwhile Queen Vashti also held a gathering for the royal women(1:9). At the end of the week the king commanded Vashti to come see him and the other princes to show them her beauty. She however felt that it was better to serve the royal women and refused to come see the king, know the consequences that would come(1:12). The king was upset and Queen Vashti was no longer queen. She stood up for what she was right even though the sacrifice was losing her crown.
      The king was now in search of a new queen, in his searching he found Esther(2:17). The king did not know that Esther was a jew. Her uncle Mordecai knew of a plot to kill the king, Mordecia told Esther and she reported it and the king lived(2:21-23). Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman believing it wasn't right and worshiped God how he felt proper. Haman did not like this(3:5). Esther asked her people to fast for 3 days then she would go talk to the king(4:16). This was very dangerous because you were only supposed to see the king if he called you, you just didn't walk into him room(4:11). Esther knew that this was her chance to save her people and was willing to stand up and sacrifice her life for them. The king accepts her and she requests to have a royal banquet where she reveal Haman's plan to destroy the Jews to the king and Haman is hung(7:10). 
This story of Esther shows her love for her people and that she would give up her life willing to save them. God helps us in mysterious ways, there is a reason the king picked her to be queen. We can’t always see the plan when we are caught up in the middle but through faith and trusting in the Lord He will help us accomplish great things. Esther is very inspiring for me to do what is right no matter what the costs are. She humbly served her people and didn’t ignore them when they needed her the most. Mordecai also stood up for what he believed even though it almost cost the lives of all his people. He is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Queen Vashti started it all when she sacrificed her crown for the service of her people. These are attributes of a great leader that I want to implement into my life.

The Miracles of the Lord through Elijah

Elijah was a Prophet on earth, he lived in the area of Jordan an "inhabitant of Gilead" he performed many miracles during his time on earth, here are a few examples. 

• 1 Kings 17:1- No rain or dew in Gilead for a few years 
• 1 Kings 17:2-6- Ravens fed Elijah bread and meat
• 1 Kings 17:8-16- A woman took Elijah in that was very poor, because she served Elijah over her and her son, her flour and oil that were nearly out lasted the whole time it never rained.
• 1 Kings 17:17-22- Elijah raised the women's son from the dead. This was the same women that fed him 
• 1 Kings 18:31-38- Elijah built an altar out of stone and wood then drenched it with water and God consumed it with fire. 
• 1 Kings 18: 41-45 Elijah and Ahab were able to get out of the land safely before it started to rain
• 1 Kings 21: 17-19; 22: 34-38. The King of Israel had killed someone to gain possession of land. Elijah  prophesied that the king would die on the same land, later this prophecy came true. 
• 2 Kings 1:9-14. The guards were sent out to find God, Elijah consumed 2 groups of 50 soldiers to stop them  from leaving the land. The third group of 50 sent he spared because they recognized that God was already in the land. 

Miracles can be both a blessing and a curse. It depends what side of the fence you are on. If you are cheering for God then the miracles will be in your favor, like the women that fed Elijah her last bit of food, she had food the whole time it never rained. For those that weren't doing what's right they were cursed with no water for a year. I have found it's a good thing to choose God's side. When Elijah's time on earth was over it says "there appeared a chariot of fire,...and Elijah went up in a whirlwind into heaven" he was translated. 2 Kings 2:11-12

Solomon's Succeeding to the Throne

I recently read and studied this section of the scriptures and loved it! I did not know Solomon made a mad rush to be crowned King. It is amazing the things you learn when you study the scriptures. Here is a quick overview of what I learned. Feel free to comment and help further my knowledge.

Bible Dictionary quick version of who these people are:

Adonijah- fourth son of David, usurps the kingdom, pardoned, afterwards slain
Abithar- Priest, Takes part in Adonijah’s rebellion, is thrust out from the priesthood.
David- King, Righteous man that disobeyed then repented.
Nathan the Prophet- Son of David and Bathsheba, helps anoint Solomon King
Solomon- Son of David and Bathsheba, crowned on the rebellion of Adonijah
Joab- David’s nephew, captain of David’s army, liked Adonijah, was put to death by Solomon
Zadok- Priest, Remained faithful to David during the rebellion, helped anoint Solomon king.

Quick Story How Solomon became King

Adonijah was in line to receive the throne after David died. David was getting old, Adonijah thought it was a good idea to start presenting himself as king. He arranged a royal procession, and a royal feast all without his father King David knowing. However David had told Bath-sheba Solomon would be king.

Nathan the Prophet tells Bath-sheba what Adonijah is doing, Bath-sheba then goes into tell David that Adonijah is preparing to take over the throne. David is upset and says that Solomon is to be king. Nathan comes in and confirms what Adonijah is doing. Adonijah has also gained support from some of David’s own people, Joab captain of David’s army, Abiathar the High Priest.
David tells Solomon he is to be king and right away sends Solomon on his (David’s) horse to Gihon to be anointed by Zadok the priest and Nathan the Prophet and was anointed king over Adonijah.

1 King’s 2:1-4

David is on his deathbed his charge to Solomon is to be strong, and to prove himself a man. To always obey God, keep His commandments and to grow his own testimony. If they are following what God says his people won’t fail.

Man of God

My definition of a man of God is someone who puts others before him that is faithful, valiant, keeps the commandments of God, seeks good in all things, loves the gospel. He is “steadfast and immovable” he stands up for what he knows is right, he has physical courage to defend his people at all costs to keep his values alive. His heart is humbled and full of gratitude knowing he as a man isn’t strong enough on his own without God’s help. A man of God is a well rounded man, he loves to learn, he is understanding, labors diligently, unselfish, kills only to protect his people. Someone people can trust and look to for guidance and know he will not run away in the face of trials. A man that God can trust to do His work on earth. The world needs more of these in the chaos that we live in. Is it you? Stand up and take the challenge.

Additional reading insights:

Holy Bible 1 King's chapter 1-2 http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-kgs/1?lang=eng

Bible Dictionary http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd?lang=eng

(1-2) 1 Kings 1. How Could Adonijah and Solomon Both Have Claim to the Throne of Israel? http://www.lds.org/manual/old-testament-student-manual-kings-malachi/chapter-1?lang=eng

Inspirational Thoughts

• "Every child of God can commune in prayer with Him."

  —President Henry B. Eyring, "Exhort Them to Pray", Liahona, Feb. 2012
  Topics: Prayer

• "You are never far from the sight of your Heavenly Father."

  —President Boyd K. Packer, "Counsel to Youth", General Conference, Oct. 2011
  Topics: Heavenly Father, Youth

• "The prayers of the faithful shall be heard."

  —2 Nephi 26:15, Book of Mormon
  Topics: Prayer

• "[God] offers us, through prayer in the name of His Son, the opportunity to commune with Him in this life as often as we choose."

  —President Henry B. Eyring, "Exhort Them to Pray", Liahona, Feb. 2012
  Topics: Prayer

• "Prophets are inspired teachers and are always special witnesses of Jesus Christ."

  —President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Why Do We Need Prophets?", Liahona, Mar. 2012
  Topics: Prophets, Teaching, Jesus Christ

• "Watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear."

  —Alma 13:28, Book of Mormon
  Topics: Prayer, Temptation

• "Answers will come in the Lord’s own way and in His time."

  —Barbara Thompson, "Personal Revelation and Testimony", General Conference, Oct. 2011
  Topics: Prayer, Patience, Revelation

• "From the days of Adam, God has spoken to His children through appointed oracles who are charged with revealing His will and counsel to others."

  —President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Why Do We Need Prophets?", Liahona, Mar. 2012
  Topics: Heavenly Father, Prophets, Revelation

• "I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh."

  —2 Nephi 4:35, Book of Mormon
  Topics: Prayer

• "I have learned that there is great safety in following the prophets."

  —Elder Jose L. Alonso, "Doing the Right Thing at the Right Time, without Delay", General Conference, Oct. 2011
  Topics: Obedience, Prophets

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