Many of us tend to avoid the book of Second Nephi because it has so many chapters of Isaiah quoted in it. As we have been reading there lately, I was impressed by what lead Nephi to quote Isaiah so much as evidenced by his words in chapters 25 and 26, which directly followed his largest section of quoted Isaiah, where he expounds on those passages. Some of the most wonderful words in scripture concerning the life and atonement of Jesus Christ comes from these two chapters.
The following is an example.
The beautiful phrase describing the Savior as rising with "healing in His wings" is found only three places in the holy scriptures (really only two):
Malachi 4:2 - "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves in the stall."
2 Ne. 25:13 - "Behold, they will crucify him, and after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings, and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophecy concerning him, for I have seen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name."
3 Ne. 25:2 (quoting Malachi) - "But unto you that fear my name, shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves in the stall."
I am interested in the Savior's title, "Son of Righteousness." Of all the titles given to Him, this refers both to the Father, but also to the value and purity of their righteousness. Besides the quote from Malachi already quoted, we also have Nephi's descriptive reference:
2 Ne. 26:9 "But the Son of righteousness shall appear unto them; and he shall heal them, and they shall have peace with him, until three generations shall have passed away, and many of the fourth generation shall have passed away in righteousness."
The only other reference in scripture to this title refers to Emer, one of the prophets (also a king) of the Jaredites.
Ether 9:22 "And after he had anointed Coriantum to reign in his stead he lived four years, and he saw peace in the land; yea, and he even saw the Son of Righteousness, and did rejoice and glory in his day; and he died in peace."
This leads me to think about that promise of peace.
The story of the Nephite people following the ministry of the Savior among them is well know to us, as we read from Third and Fourth Nephi. I have asked myself recently about that peace and lack of contention found among that people. The thought occurred to me that Satan had not been bound. That is what we look forward to in the Millennial reign when the Son of Righteousness returns in glory. As the Nephite people lived, "there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another." Also "there still continued to be peace in the land." I noted that it did not say that Satan had been bound.
They had children. Even the innocent antics of children often lead to contention, but they did have children. It says that they "did multiply exceedingly fast" and "they were married, and given in marriage" in this time. How do we deal with contention and difficulty that comes because of our living in this world? These people learned from Jesus how to live and deal with their troubles without letting them be led to contention and strife. That means that we can, with the help of God, face the normal buffetings of life, even with Satan not being bound, and have peace. Of course, it can be done as we submit ourselves and trust in the Prince of Peace.
I also wondered why the term was used in these scriptures of "calves in the stall." There is one more Book of Mormon scripture which uses this phrase:
1 Ne 22:24 "And the time cometh speedily that the righteous must be led up as calves of the stall, and the Holy One of Israel must reign in dominion, and might, and power, and great glory."
It is interesting here to note that this is also a point where Nephi has quoted Isaiah and is elaborating on the words he has just read.
I think it is a likening of the righteous people submitting themselves to the Savior and letting themselves be led in their life's challenges in order to find peace that is promised in these scriptural passages. It is similar to lambs in a fold. They are protected and guided. So are the calves.
As we look in expectation for the Second coming of Jesus, we need to learn how we can bind Satan by learning to choose how to deal with troubles and difficulties of life. These passages from the prophet Nephi, who was bolstered by the words of Isaiah are instructive.
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