Behold, thou art my people.

2 Nephi 5-8

I just got going in the reading and couldn't stop because Jacob's sermon started and then kept going and then he quoted Isaiah and it was awesome. His sermon continues in the amazing chapter 9 which I will read tomorrow.

So, the Isaiah question: Why these chapters? This one is very easy. Jacob tells us exactly why in chapter 9:

9:1 And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel-

This is a popular theme. In chapter 6, Jacob quotes two verses of Isaiah that Nephi quoted earlier. The repetition is telling. I'm not sure if the leaders of the church needed to keep reminding the people who they WERE (house of Israel), or if they needed to comfort them when they all heard about the sacking of Jerusalem and everyone being scattered to and fro.

Either way, it's an important lesson for us. How often do I consciously remember that I'm part of the house of Israel? How often do I remember the promises made to me and to all of us as members of His church? Not often enough. The frequent reminders are comforting. I love when Jacob explains (still in chapter 6):

13 Wherefore, they that fight against Zion and the covenant people of the Lord shall lick up the dust of their feet; and the people of the Lord shall not be ashamed. For the people of the Lord are they who wait for him; for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah.

This was, obviously, a direct interpretation of verse 7. I love it when Book of Mormon prophets break down the Old Testament prophets for me. I love to hear what their inspired thoughts are on the subject.

Anyway, to further bring home this point, Jacob quotes 2 chapters of Isaiah. The promises are beautiful and especially meaningful when you take into account how rough life became for the Jews. And though these promises are directed toward the Jews who will be scattered and hated and despised, they are also for all the house of Israel. Jacob says we should liken Isaiah's words to us, as we are members of the covenant people of the Lord.

So here's a random thought that's a bit off topic. 8:18-20 mentions "two sons".

18 And none to guide her among all the sons she hath brought forth; neither that taketh her by the hand, of all the sons she hath brought up.
19 These two sons are come unto thee, who shall be sorry for thee-- thy desolation and destruction, and the famine and the sword-- and by whom shall I comfort thee?
20 Thy sons have fainted, save these two; they lie at the head of all the streets; as a wild bull in the net, they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God.

The cross reference of the 'sons' leads to a scripture about 2 witnesses...but I wondered. Could the two sons be Ephraim and Manasseh? It fits. They are two sons that Israel 'brought forth' and 'brought up'. They are two sons who have 'not fainted' and will be a major part of the spreading of the Gospel in the latter-days. They, in fact, have a LOT to do with North and South America. Lehi was from the tribe of Manasseh and all of his direct descendants. A lot of us in North America are from the tribe of Ephraim. These two groups of people are huge pieces of church membership right now. That won't always be the case as more and more folks are gathered and baptized, but it seems to fit the scripture. And it would make sense that Jacob would share this with his fellow Manasseh descendents. I'll have to ask a scholar one day. :)