Poetry and Isaiah

This week we had the amazing opportunity to go over what is considered some of the most difficult material in the Book of Mormon. Yes, I am talking about Isaiah. The writings of Isaiah are not like the rest of the Book of Mormon. A little more effort is needed to sort out what he is trying to say. This is because he is not writing in the typical story line style. Isaiah, in fact, was a Hebrew poet, and so his style of writing and the way he words the gospel is much different than we are used to.

Let's take for example one of Isaiah's most well known verses:

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

What does this scripture mean? It means that even though we have sinned, we can be forgiven. But why doesn't he just say that? Why does he word it like a metaphor?

This week I learned it was partially because it has more meaning this way. Isaiah, also, does not write with just one thought in mind. There are many ways that this scripture can be interpreted. This is the beauty of Isaiah's writing!

I am grateful for the opportunity we had this week to break down Isaiah's words so that we could understand them better. I feel more prepared to read through those difficult chapters. Jesus did say that we were to study the words of Isaiah, and if we have the tools to do so it can really be a very spiritual experience.