Isaiah 48

LORD of Hosts

LORD of hosts — Jehovah, commander of the armies of heaven

Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness. Isaiah 48:1–2

Israel uses the LORD's name but not sincerely. The name they take so lightly is the name of the premortal Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 20:1-2 — Nephi's version adds "or out of the waters of baptism."

Jehovah's Mercy for His Name's Sake

For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. Isaiah 48:9–11

Jehovah holds back his anger and refines his people through hard times for the sake of his own name. His patience with rebellious Israel shows the character of Christ.

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 20:9-11 — The same passage in the Book of Mormon.

The First and the Last, Creator

The First and the Last — the eternal One

Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. Isaiah 48:12–13

The speaker is "he," the First and the Last, whose hand laid the earth's foundation. The resurrected Christ uses this title of himself, and he is the Creator.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 20:12-13 — The same words in Nephi's record.
• the same title in Revelation 1:17 — "Fear not; I am the first and the last."
• the same title in D&C 110:4 — "I am the first and the last."

The One Sent by the Lord GOD and His Spirit

Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me. Isaiah 48:16

Someone who has been present "from the time that it was" says the Lord GOD and his Spirit have sent him. Many read this as the Son, sent by the Father with the Holy Ghost, three distinct members of the Godhead. The speaker may also be Isaiah.

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 20:16 — "The Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me."
• fulfilled by John 8:42 — Jesus: "I proceeded forth and came from God ... he sent me."
• the same title in Isaiah 61:1 — "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me."

Redeemer, Holy One of Israel

Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. Isaiah 48:17

The Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, is also Israel's teacher and guide on the path. Christ is the Way.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 20:17 — The same verse in Nephi's record.
• alluded to by John 14:6 — "I am the way."

The LORD Has Redeemed

Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob. Isaiah 48:20

Israel is told to flee Babylon and shout to the whole earth that the LORD has redeemed his people. Leaving Babylon is a picture of leaving the world behind for the Redeemer.

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 20:20 — The same verse in Nephi's record.
• alluded to by D&C 133:14 — "Go ye out from Babylon."

The Smitten Rock

And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out. Isaiah 48:21

The LORD split the rock in the desert and water poured out for thirsty Israel. Paul says that Rock was Christ: he was struck, and living water flows from him.

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 20:21 — The same verse in Nephi's record.
• alludes to Exodus 17:6 — Moses strikes the rock in Horeb.
• interpreted by 1 Corinthians 10:4 — "They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."