Isaiah 53 is arguably the most beautiful, sublime, and poignant of the Servant Songs. In this moving prophecy we learn of the Servant’s humble beginnings and unassuming appearance (53:1-2). We are told that He will be widely rejected, a ‘man of sorrows and acquainted with grief’ (53:3). We learn of His vicarious sufferings (53:4-6, 8, 10-12) and His willingness to endure oppression, persecution, and injustice (53:7-8). We are told of His incongruous death (53:8) and what His death and suffering can mean for all of humankind (53:9-11).

In Isaiah 54 the prophet returns to a remarkable prophecy given earlier—a prophecy that the time will come when the ensign, or gospel, will be raised up among certain Gentiles who will then help gather scattered and lost Israel, restore them to the covenants, and be recognized as part of the covenant family (see 11:10-16; 49:18-23). In Isaiah 54 Israel is likened to a married but barren wife who will break forth into singing as she learns that though she has not labored in childbirth, a desolate one shall bring forth covenant children in abundance—so many that they will be compelled to enlarge their dwellings to accommodate them all (54:1-3). In comforting and assuring tone the Lord promises His children that this is all according to His divine plan. Though they have strayed from Him and were forsaken and refused for a time, when they return to honor their covenants with Him, the Lord, as their divine husband, intends to have mercy on them, gather them, restore them, protect them, and redeem them, just as surely as the mountains endure and as surely as He has kept His covenant to Noah never to destroy the earth by flood again (54:4-17).

Fervent and tender invitations characterize Isaiah 55. All who thirst are invited to partake of the Lord’s water, wine, and mild, which can be bought without money or price and will help them avoid laboring for that which is not bread does not satisfy (55:1-2). We are invited to ‘hearken diligently’ so that we can eat ‘that which is good’ (55:2). We are then entreated to incline our ears and come unto the Lord with the promise that in doing so our souls shall live and we shall enter in everlasting covenants, receiving the sure mercies of David and the support of ‘a nation that thou knowest not’ (55:5; compare 2 Samuel 7:15-17; Acts 13:26-41; Isaiah 49:18-23; 54:1-3). We are further invited to ‘seek’ the Lord, ‘call upon’ Him, and ‘return’ unto Him with the assurance that He will have mercy and ‘abundantly pardon’ (55:6-7). All this the Lord can do, for His thoughts and ways are higher than ours (55:8-9). He can perform His pleasure; control the elements; provide rain, see, and bread as needed; and cause us to rejoice (55:10-13). He will do all this, for an ‘everlasting sign that shall not be cut off’ (55:13).

Isaiah 56 begins with a promise of blessings to the righteous, even a promise that the Lord’s salvation is near and His righteousness is soon to be revealed. In contrast, the chapter ends with a frightening warning of destruction to the wicked, especially to those shepherds commissioned to be watchmen but who, instead of caring for the flock, are preoccupied with their own way and gain. We can feel the Lord’s anger with such selfish servants as He labels them ‘blind,’ ‘ignorant,’ and ‘dumb dogs’ that cannot bark a warning in their slothful slumber, condemning them as ‘greedy dogs’ and; shepherds that cannot understand’ as they indulge themselves in their reveling (56:9-12).

Between the promise and the warning is a message to the sons of the stranger and the eunuch, promising remarkable blessing to them if they keep the Sabbath and choose the things that please God (56:3-8).

Isaiah 58 is a remarkable discussion of fasting and Sabbath Day observance. The Lord begins by describing the improper and hypocritical fasting of His people, identifying it as a sin among them (58:1-5). He next describes what constitutes a proper fast (58:6-7). In beautiful poetic language, He speaks of the blessings that come from righteous, sincere fasting (58:8-12)

Following His discussion of proper fasting, the Lord turns His attention to proper Sabbath observance. He explains principles of Sabbath observance that can make the day ‘a delight’ (58:13). Again in stirring language He speaks of the blessings that come from faithful Sabbath observance (58:14).

A prophecy of restoration and redemption bursts forth in chapter 60. Isaiah declares that after a period of apostasy and ‘gross darkness’ the ‘Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen’ (60:1-2). Gentiles will come to the light and sons and daughters will be gathered from afar (60:3-9). Together they will rebuild and restore (60:10-17). A theocracy of peace will follow. Violence will disappear. The Lord will be our light, and all shall be righteous (60:18-22).

A prophecy of a ministering, liberating, loving, and nurturing Messiah opens Isaiah (v.1-3), followed by an inspiring description of the blessings to be received and the labors to be performed by those comforted and redeemed by Him (61:4-6). Again Isaiah emphasizes the vital role Gentiles will play in the Messiah’s plans, as strangers build and make productive a lost and scattered people, feeding their flocks, plowing their fields, and caring for their vineyards (61:5). They too will receive a divine inheritance and enjoy the blessings of the Lord’s everlasting covenant, as the Lord causes righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations (61:1-11; the Hebrew word goyim, translated as ‘nations’ in verse 11 is the same word translated as ‘Gentiles’ elsewhere in Isaiah).

With eloquent imagery Isaiah 62 presents a prophetic picture of the restored and redeemed ‘daughter of Zion.’ The Lord assures Zion that He will not rest until His work of righteousness and salvation has gone forth and is recognized—until He and His people are joyfully united under the covenant (62:1-5). He further pledges that the watchmen He has commissioned to assist in the work will likewise not rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (62:6-7). Then will His people be able to peacefully enjoy the fruits of their labors. The chapter closes with an imperative to His servants helping in the redemptive work to prepare for the coming salvation by casting up the highway, removing the stones thereof, and lifting up the standard, or ensign, for the people (62:10—12).

Isaiah 63 opens with a fascinating dialogue between the returning millennial Messiah and some apparently apprehensive and bewildered mortals who encounter Him. As He comes in glory and strength from the direction of Edom, the confused people ask His identity and why His apparel is strained red (63:1-2). In response, the Lord identifies Himself as the one ‘mighty to save’ (63:1). Then with vivid imagery the Messiah declares His garments are stained with blood from treading the ‘winepress alone,’ trampling the wicked in His fury in the ‘day of vengeane’ and ushering in the ‘year of my redeemed’ (63:3-4).

In the middle of chapter 63, the prophecy dramatically turns from a warning of vengeance and destruction for the wicked to a message of hope and loving kindness for the repentant and the redeemed. The prophet speaks of the Lord’s mercy and suffering on behalf of His covenant people (63:7-9), notes their rebellion and chastisement (63:10), and foretells their repentance and return to faith as they remember how the Lord led and delivered them in the days of Mosses (63:11-14).

A passage known as Isaiah’s Intercessory Prayer closes this chapter and opens the next (63:15-64:12). This beautiful and instructive prayer will be discussed with Isaiah 64.

At the end of Isaiah 65 we are given an intriguing description of millennial life. Joy will abound in the holy city; people will not die before their time; homes will be built; land will be cultivated and the produce thereof enjoyed by those who tend it (65:17-23). Peace will prevail, and the Lord will hear and answer prayers even as they are offered (65:23-25).

Yet this description of millennial bliss stand in stark contrast to the withering rebuke the Lord gives at the beginning of the chapter. He chastises the covenant people for their hypocrisy, noting that He is more readily sought and found by a nation that was not called by His name, perhaps again foreshadowing the conversion of faithful Gentiles in the latter-days (65:1-7).

The Lord then reassures the covenant people that in spite of their rebellion, He will yet raise up a righteous and elect remnant from among them (65:8-10). He warns that those who persist in iniquity, those who choose not to be part of the righteous remnant, will be destroyed and enjoy none of the blessings reserved for His servants (65:11-16), even the joy of the millennial life He so beautifully describes (65:17-23).

As the book of Isaiah closes, the Lord summarizes His plans for His people. He will watch over those who are poor and of a contrite spirit and condemns the hypocrites, who have chosen their own ways and who delight in their abominations (66:1-6). The Lord describes the joy, comfort, and peace that will prevail among the righteous when He brings forth Zion, as well as the slaughter that will befall the wicked when He comes to plead with all flesh by fire and sword (66:5-17). He promises that he will gather out the faithful from among all nations and bring them to His holy mountain to worship (66:18-24)” (Making Sense of Isaiah. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2009, 150; 153; 155; 158; 163; 169; 171; 173; 175-177; 179; 182).

“In Hebrew, the identity of the servant is ambiguous. Who is he? The servant is never actually named or identified, except by the things that he suffered… The song is unclear about when the servant had lived in the past or would yet live in the future. It is fair to ask, should Isaiah be read in reference to the past, the present, or the future?…[Is he] perhaps an innocent prophet who went silently to his death, executed because of some testimony he bore… Other questions include, What did he suffer or will he suffer? And What led the ‘we’ to change their minds about the servant? At first the people despised him, but later they agreed that he had borne their grief. The text is not specific about the answers to such questions, and thus it is open to a variety of interpretations” (“Isaiah 53, Mosish 14, and the Book of Mormon” in Isaiah in the Book of Mormon. Edited by Donald W. Parry and John W. Welch. Provo: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1998, 309-310).

“It is almost miraculous that this one chapter of all the prophecies concerning the coming of the Savior should have been preserved in the Jewish scripture. No doubt that is why it was so difficult for the Jews in the days of Jesus to identify him as the promised Messiah” (Isaiah Speak to Modern Times. Salt Lake City: The Ensign Publishing Company, [Second Edition, First printing, February, 1993], 656).

“Strangers (Gentiles) and eunuchs (those previously excluded from full fellowship with the covenant people, and who felt they could produce no fruit in the covenant)… would now find the full blessings of God extended to them if they keep the Sabbath (epitomizing the law of God). Not only will the ‘outcast of Israel’ (those who were scattered) be gathered in the last days, but so will “others” (v.8). Whether one is a blood descendant of Israel will not matter as much as whether he will make and keep the covenants with God. Thus, in the age of restoration, the house of God will be “an house of prayer for all people” (v.7); emphasis added)” (Old Testament student manual 1 Kings–Malachi. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1981, Second Edition, 204).

“Their day of fasting is supposed to be a holy day, but they have made it a holiday. They use it as a day of celebrating and pleasure. Meanwhile, on the Sabbath they exact a full measure of labor from their servants, who must cook great feasts which usually mark the end of the fast… When the people fast [they] do [it] for the wrong reasons… It is interesting that the Septuagint version gives the last part of… [v.4] as follows: ‘To smite with the fist the POOR. Wherefore fast ye unto me in this manner?'(Clarke, Commentary, 4:217; emphasis added)… [they] abuse the poor [rather than sharing their wealth]” (Isaiah for Modern Times. Salt Lake City: Ensign Publishing Company, [Second Edition, First printing, February, 1993], 700).

“In the Church today,, one Sabbath each month is set aside for the purpose of fasting. During this time, Church members go without food and water for twenty-four hours. They then contribute to the Church the money that they would have spent on food for those meals. This money is called a fast offering. The Church uses the fast offerings to assist the poor and needy” (Fast, Fasting. The Guide to the Scriptures. Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 2001, 100).

“The passage which I have quoted from Isaiah [60:1], has reference to the latter-day Zion… The Zion that is here spoken of is called to ‘arise and shine… for the glory of Lord is risen upon thee.’ There is no one thing more fully revealed in the Scriptures of eternal truth, than the rise of Zion of our God in the latter days, clothed upon with the glory of God from the heavens—a Zion that will attract the attention of all the nations and kindreds of the whole earth. It will not be something that takes place in a corner on some distant island of the sea, or away among some obscure people; but it will be something that will call forth the attention of all people and nations upon the face of the whole earth” (Journal of Discourse 16. London: Latter-day Saint’s Book Depot, 1854-56, [Eighth Reprint 1974], 78).

“Consider for a moment, brethren, the fulfillment of the words of the prophet [Isaiah 60:2]; for we behold that darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the inhabitants thereof—that crimes of every description are increasing among men—vices of great enormity are practiced—the rising generation growing up in the fullness of pride and arrogance—the aged losing every sense of conviction, and seemingly banishing every thought of a day o retribution—intemperance, immorality, extravagance, pride, blindness of heart, idolatry, the loss of natural affection; the love of this world and indifference toward the things of eternity increasing among those who profess a belief in the religion of heaven, and infidelity spreading itself in consequence of the same—men given themselves up to commit acts of the foulest kind, and deeds of the blackest dye, blaspheming, defrauding, blasting the reputation of neighbors, stealing, robbing, murdering, advocating error and opposing the truth, forsaking the covenant of heaven, and denying the faith of Jesus—and in the midst of all this, the day of the Lord fast approaching when none except those who have won the wedding garment will be permitted to eat and drink in the presence of the Bridegroom, the Prince of Peace! (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith. Salt Lake City: Desert Book, 1977, 47).

“Isaiah asks, ‘Who are these latter-day converts who flock together as quickly as birds flying through the sky?’ [He replies:] The gentiles who are converted to the gospel from the nations of the earth… ” (Simplified Isaiah For the Latter-Day Saints. Orem: Granite Publishing and Distribution L.L.C, 2006, 245).

“In a general conference of the Church in April 1844, the brethren recalled those first gatherings of 1830. One of them said: ‘We [talked] about the kingdom of God as if we had the world at our command; we talked with great confidence, and talked big things, although we were not many [in number];… we looked [and] we did not see this [congregation], we saw by vision, the church of God, a thousand time larger [than it was then], although [att he time] we were not enough to well man a farm, or meet a woman with a milk pail… All the members [of the Church] met in conference, in a room 20 feet square… We talked… about… people coming as doves to the windows, that all nations should flock unto [the Church]… If we had told the people what our eyes behold this day, we should not [have been] believed” (“As Doves to Our Windows” in Ensign, May, 2000, 75, emphasis added).

“We [The Modern day Prophets] continue to warn the people and plead with them, for we are the watchmen upon the towers, and in our hands we have a trumpet which must blow loudly and sound the alarm” (“The Time to Labor is Now” in Ensign, November, 1975, 7).

The reason why the audience was so alert to hear Jesus’ comments was “the scripture He had quoted was one recognized by all classes as specifically referring to the Messiah, for whose coming the nation waited” (Jesus The Christ. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1916, [Thirty-fifth Edition,1963], 179).

Jesus response to his listeners was, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” (Luke 4:21). Jesus had just declared to those in attendance that He was the Messiah for whom the nation had waited! The response was varied. Some questioned aloud how that could be or “Is not this Joseph’s son?” Others were upset when they learned that he had not come to perform miracles as he had done elsewhere. Then their astonishment and disappointment turned to diabolical rage when he [knowing their lack of faith or spiritual sensitivity] likened them, as Talmage notes, “unto despised unbelievers, … Gentiles and lepers… [They then] seized the Lord and took Him to the brow of the hill on the slopes of which the town was built, determined to avenge their wounded feelings by hurling Him from the rocky cliffs… But the Lord’s time to die had not yet come” (Jesus the Christ. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1916 [Thirty-fifth Edition, 1963], 180).

“(1) To preach the gospel to the poor (to proclaim the plan of salvation); (2) To heal the brokenhearted (to provide forgiveness of sin); (3) To preach deliverance to the captives (to open the spirit world for the preaching of the gospel); (4) To recover sight to the blind (to perform miracles of healing and to overcome ignorance and superstition); (5) To open the prison to those that are bound (to provide vicarious ordinances for the dead); (6) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (to identify the earthly ministry of the Messiah); (7) to declare the day of vengeance of our God (to foretell his second coming); (8) To comfort all who mourn (to given the Holy Ghost as a companion), and (9) To appoint certain blessings to those who mourn in Zion (to deliver the keys necessary for establishing Zion)” (Great Are the Words of Isaiah. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980, 235).

“… the established members of the kingdom will find themselves deeply involved in the ministry of the kingdom. Teaching the newcomers and ministering the ordinances in the temple will be a tremendous task which the Priesthood will have to perform. Instead of devoting most of their time to horticulture and industry as in the past, the Priesthood will be performing their much-needed service… ” (Isaiah For Modern Times. Salt Lake City: Ensign Publishing Company, 1993, [Second Edition, First printing, February, 1993], 727).

“Once again Isaiah referred to the Old and New Jerusalems. Both are to possess ‘righteousness’ that will ‘go forth as brightness’ and offer salvation ‘as a lamp that burneth’ (Isaiah 62:1). Zion is to be called by a ‘new name’ (v 2), the New Jerusalem, and the Old Jerusalem shall ‘no more be termed Forsaken’ nor ‘Desolate (v 4). Once again Zion shall be married to the Lord. This symbol represents her return to spiritual righteousness, for ‘as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall [our] God rejoice over [Jerusalem’s restoration]’ (v 5)… [We learn from modern revelation that the union of these two cities] is “not of the people and God, but of the land and God” (Old Testament student manual 1 Kings—Malachi. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1981, Second Edition, 207).

“As the people of the world contemplate the wonders of the two Zion societies which will be built in America and Jerusalem, they will feel compelled to declare that they are indeed a ‘holy people.’ They will not only see that they have been ‘redeemed of the Lord,’ but that they will call them the blessed people who have been gathered or ‘sought out’ by the Lord and have built unto themselves these great municipalities of righteous government which will never again be called, ‘forsaken'” (Isaiah For Modern Times. Salt Lake City: The Ensign Publishing Company, 1984, [Second Edition, First printing, February, 1993], 734).

“Isaiah [in these verses] reminds the Israelites that the Lord is not only a God of vengeance but throughout history He has helped them on many occasions as they were in need. He assisted them even though they were often wicked and did not deserve His blessings” (Simplified Isaiah for the Latter-Day Saints. Orem: Granite Publishing and Distribution L.L.C., 2006, 255).

“Although due to their long-time dispersion and separation they are not recognizable as children of the covenant, Isaiah pleads for the Lord’s intervention on behalf of his people, that the Lord might return to them the knowledge of their heritage” (Isaiah The Times of Fulfillment. Salt Lake City: Westbench Publishing, 2009, 625).

“He [Isaiah] wants to know if the people can ever be restored to God’s favor. Can they eventually have peace? Can they someday live without these afflictions? (Isaiah for Modern Times. Salt Lake City: Ensign Publishing Company, [Second Edition, First Printing, February, 1993], 747).

“In their pride, they had concocted their own false religion and false moral standards… In a figurative sense, by burning “incense upon the mountains,” Israel had climbed the wrong mountain—they had sought the mountains of idolatry rather than the mountain of the Lord” (Unlocking Isaiah. American Fork: Covenant Communications, Inc., 2013, 308-309).

“Zion is… personified as having travailed and brought forth a man child (figurative of a speedy increase in population). Having brought forth, there will be nothing to stop the progress of God’s people. The Lord will not leave His business unfinished. Enemies may make light of the predictions of Zion’s redemption, but the Lord will fulfill His promise” (The Voice of Israel’s Prophets. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1952, 148).

“The thousands of converts who will be harvested from this mighty missionary effort will be gathered to the ‘holy mountain Jerusalem’ (no doubt including a similar gathering to the New Jerusalem as well), and they will be like a gift offering which these might high priests will make in righteousness to the Lord” (Isaiah Speaks to Modern Times. Salt Lake City: The Ensign Publishing Company, [Second Edition, First Printing, Febrary, 1993], 770).

“The day of which the Lord is speaking will be far different from the days of wickedness which preceded it. Instead of the multitudes of mankind largely ignoring or defying God and reveling in their wicked indulgences, the whole inhabited earth will come up regularly to their designated places of worship to express their adoration for the Lord and seek instructions from his servants” (Isaiah Speaks to Modern Times. Salt Lake City: The Ensign Publishing Company, [Second Edition, First Printing, February, 1993], 771).