Abinadi and Isaiah

In his defense before King Noah and his priests, Abinadi is asked to explain the meaning of Isaiah 52:7-10, in light of his negative prophecies about them and the people. Noah, his priests, and his people thought of themselves as righteous, and presumptively applied the blessings mentioned by Isaiah to themselves. In response, Abinadi expounded upon this passage, but also drew upon other parts of Isaiah that surround the passage in question. Readers of Abinadi’s words can be rewarded by noting key words and phrases that are used by both prophets (See Side-by-side Verses below).

Both Isaiah and Abinadi refer to "his people" and "my people." Who are the Lord’s people? Both Isaiah and Abinadi make clear that it is those who trust in Him, "hearken" and "give ear" to his law and commandments (Isaiah 51:1, 4-5, 7; Mosiah 15:11), and "in whose heart is my law" (Isaiah 51:7). Abinadi seems to reference this passage when, after noting the priests’ refusal to keep the law of Moses, he cites the ten commandments, "for I perceive that they are not written in your hearts" (Mosiah 13:11). It is interesting that Abinadi references the version of the Isaiah passage on the small plates of Nephi, cited years earlier by Jacob, which reads "in whose heart I have written my law" (2 Nephi 8:7), rather than the one from our current Bible (Isaiah 51:7).

Christ suffered and bore the transgressions of His people (those who hearken to Him and keep His commandments) and He makes "intercession" for them (Isaiah 53:12; Mosiah 15:8-9). Isaiah taught that the Lord "pleadeth the cause of his people" (Isaiah 51:22). This merciful intercession is available to those who hearken to His words, but can be refused by those who rebel and go on in the ways of sin (Mosiah 15:26-27; 16:5, 12).

Personal application

As you read and study Abinadi’s words, notice how Isaiah’s words would have answered the questions asked by Noah’s priests. Take the opportunity to ponder what your daily behavior says about your relationship to the Lord. Does your behavior show that you are one of His people?

Isaiah	Abinadi
My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the preserved of Israel (Isaiah 49:6).	And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have part in the first resurrection (Mosiah 15:23-24).
I will give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth (Isaiah 49:6).	He is . . . a light that is endless (Mosiah 16:9).
I will save thy children (Isaiah 49:25).	And little children also have eternal life (Mosiah 15:25).
Who is mine adversary? (Isaiah 50:8).	But remember that he who persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God . . . is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy to God (Mosiah 16:5).
I was not rebellious (Isaiah 50:5).	"Rebel," "willfully rebel against God" (Mosiah 15:26), "rebellion" (Mosiah 16:5).
Hearken to me (Isaiah 51:1). Hearken unto me (Isaiah 51:4, 7).	Hearkened (Mosiah 15:11). Would not hearken (Mosiah 16:2)
Look (Isaiah 51:2).	Looked forward to that day (Mosiah 15:11).
For a law shall proceed from me (Isaiah 51:4).	If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it? (Mosiah 12:29). It is expedient that ye keep the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses (Mosiah 13:27).
And I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people (Isaiah 51:4).	He is the light. . . . A light that is endless that can never be darkened (Mosiah 16:9).
My salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust (Isaiah 51:5).	For the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not (Mosiah 16:12).
His people (Isaiah 51:22).	His people (Mosiah 15:5, 11, 18; 16:4).
In whose heart is my law (KJV Isaiah 51:22). In whose heart is written my law (Plates of brass, Isaiah cited by Jacob in 2 Nephi 8:7).	Noah’s priests do not keep the law of Moses (Mosiah 12:29). Abinadi reads them the ten commandments because "I perceive that they are not written in your hearts" (Mosiah 13:11).
Foundations of the earth (Isaiah 51:13, 16).	Prepared from the foundation of the world (Mosiah 15:19).
The cup of trembling (Isaiah 51:17, 22).	Tremble (Mosiah 15:26; 16:13).
Destruction, and the famine (Isaiah 51:19).	Famine (Mosiah 12:4). Destroy them (Mosiah 12:8).
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation (Isaiah 52:7; Mosiah 12:21).	Abinadi’s explanation (Mosiah 15:14-18).
Thy God reigneth! (Isaiah 52:7).	The Son reigneth (Mosiah 15:20).
Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God (Isaiah 52:8-10; Mosiah 12:22-24).	Abinadi’s explanation (Mosiah 15:28-16:2).
Redeemed (Isaiah 52:9).	Redeem (Mosiah 13:33; 15:1, 11-12, 27). Redeemeth (Mosiah 15:26; 16:2) Redeemed (Mosiah 15:9, 18, 23-24, 27, 30; 16:4). Redemption (Mosiah 13:32; 15:19; 16:5-6, 15).

Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion (Isaiah 52:2).	Bands of death (Mosiah 15:8-9, 20, 23).
Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord (Isaiah 52:11).	They being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them (Mosiah 16:12).
They that rule over them make them to howl (Isaiah 52:5).	I will cause that they shall howl all the day long (Mosiah 12:4). They shall have cause to howl (Mosiah 15:22-23).
Shake thyself from the dust, arise (Isaiah 52:2).	They are the first resurrection. They are raised to dwell with God (Mosiah 15:22-23).
Who hath believed our report? (Isaiah 53:1).	All those who have hearkened unto their words and believed (Mosiah 15:11, 22).
As a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth (Isaiah 53:7).	As a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth (Mosiah 15:6).
My people (Isaiah 53:8; 51:4, 16; 52:4, 6).	My people (Mosiah 14:8).
He shall see his seed (Isaiah 53:10).	Abinadi’s explanation (Mosiah 15:10-13).
Made intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12).	Giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men (Mosiah 15:8).
He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5).	Taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions (Mosiah 15:9).
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief (KJV Isaiah 53:10). Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain (NRSV Isaiah 53:10). The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand (KJV Isaiah 53:10). Through him the will of the Lord shall prosper (NRSV Isaiah 53:10).	The will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father (Mosiah 15:7). Abinadi also contrasts the subjection of the Son’s will to the Father’s with that of the wicked and miserable "having gone according to their own carnal wills" (Mosiah 16:12).
He bare the sin of many (Isaiah 53:12).	Whose sins he has borne (Mosiah 15:12).
He shall see the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied (Isaiah 53:11).	Having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice (Mosiah 15:9).