All things bear record · 2 Nephi

2 Nephi 7

6 witnesses of Christ here.

Redeemer

Yea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lord: Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement? To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Yea, to whom have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. 2 Nephi 7:1–2

Jehovah, the premortal Christ, tells Israel He never abandoned them; their sins separated them, and His power to redeem is not too short. 'When I came, there was no man' also hints at a Redeemer who comes and is not received.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

The Servant (Messiah)

The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season unto thee, O house of Israel. When ye are weary he waketh morning by morning. He waketh mine ear to hear as the learned. 2 Nephi 7:4–5

The Servant speaks: the Father wakes Him morning by morning and teaches Him what to say, and He never rebels. Jesus taught that He spoke only what the Father taught Him.

AttestedProphecy or typeHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • a parallel account in Isaiah 50:4-5 — Same passage in Isaiah.
  • fulfilled by John 8:28 — As my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

Suffering Servant

I gave my back to the smiter, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 2 Nephi 7:6

Isaiah foretells the Savior's willing suffering: He was scourged, struck, and spat upon during His trial and did not turn away.

AttestedProphecy or typeA prophecy of Him

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • a parallel account in Isaiah 50:6 — Same verse in Isaiah.
  • fulfilled by Matthew 26:67 — They spit in his face, and buffeted him.
  • fulfilled by Matthew 27:26 — He scourged Jesus.
  • fulfilled by Mark 14:65 — Some began to spit on him ... and to buffet him.

The Servant (Messiah)

For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 2 Nephi 7:7

Trusting the Father's help, the Servant sets His face like flint, fully determined to finish His mission. Jesus steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem where He would die.

AttestedProphecy or typeA prophecy of Him

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • a parallel account in Isaiah 50:7 — Same verse in Isaiah.
  • fulfilled by Luke 9:51 — He stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.

The Servant (Messiah)

And the Lord is near, and he justifieth me. Who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is mine adversary? Let him come near me, and I will smite him with the strength of my mouth. 2 Nephi 7:8–9

The condemned Servant is vindicated by God; His accusers fade away like a moth-eaten garment. Paul uses this language of those who are in Christ.

AttestedProphecy or typeA prophecy of Him

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • a parallel account in Isaiah 50:8-9 — Same passage in Isaiah.
  • alluded to by Romans 8:33-34 — It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died.

The Servant (Messiah)

Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light? 2 Nephi 7:10

'His servant' is the Servant who just spoke in verses 4-9, the Messiah. Those who fear the Lord obey Him and trust Him even when they walk in darkness.

AttestedProphecy or typeA pronoun that refers to Himthe Father testifying of the Son

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • a parallel account in Isaiah 50:10 — Same verse in Isaiah.
  • alluded to by John 8:12 — He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness.