2 Nephi 18

Living Water

Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son; 2 Nephi 18:6

Judah turned from the gentle, quiet waters God provided in Jerusalem and trusted foreign kings instead. Many readers see in these soft waters the quiet, saving power of the Lord that the people refused, much as many later rejected Christ's living water.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Immanuel

Immanuel — God with us

And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel. 2 Nephi 18:8

Isaiah calls the land of Judah Immanuel's land, using the name of the promised child from the chapter before. Even as Assyria floods the land, it still belongs to the coming Son, Jesus Christ, who is God with us.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 2 Nephi 17:14 — The prophecy that a virgin's son will be called Immanuel.
• the same title in Matthew 1:23 — Matthew applies the name Emmanuel, 'God with us', to Jesus.
• a parallel account in Isaiah 8:8 — The same verse in Isaiah.

Immanuel

Immanuel — God with us

Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand; for God is with us. 2 Nephi 18:10

'God is with us' is the meaning of the name Immanuel in Hebrew. Isaiah's point is that no enemy plan can win because the promised Immanuel, Christ, stands with His people.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 2 Nephi 18:8 — The name Immanuel spoken two verses earlier.
• the same title in Matthew 1:23 — Interprets Emmanuel as 'God with us'.

Stone of Stumbling

Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 2 Nephi 18:13–15

The Lord of Hosts, Jehovah, will be a safe sanctuary for those who trust Him, but a stone people trip over for those who reject Him. Peter and Paul both quote this verse about Jesus Christ, the stone many stumbled over when He came.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by 1 Peter 2:7-8 — Peter calls Christ 'a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence'.
• quoted by Romans 9:32-33 — Paul says Israel stumbled at the stumblingstone, quoting Isaiah.
• alluded to by Jacob 4:15 — Jacob foretells the Jews will stumble and reject the stone upon which they might build.
• a parallel account in Isaiah 8:14 — The same verse in Isaiah.

Christ and the children God gave Him

And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. 2 Nephi 18:17–18

Isaiah and his children stand as living signs to Israel. The epistle to the Hebrews puts these very words in Christ's mouth, so Isaiah trusting the Lord with his children becomes a picture of Christ with those the Father has given Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quoted by Hebrews 2:13 — 'I will put my trust in him... Behold I and the children which God hath given me', applied to Christ.
• a parallel account in Isaiah 8:17-18 — The same verses in Isaiah.