Jacob 4:14-18
There are several interesting thoughts presented in these final verses that could be each treated individually. For example, verse 14 talks about God ultimately allowing all of his children to do what they will do, even if it will lead to their destruction. "...And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble." Not that God will take away the consequences of bad behavior, but He does work according to our desires. On the the flip side, if our desires are God's desires, then how great are the blessings that will result.
Another interesting thought: the stone, or the sure foundation, which God had given the Jews to build upon. When Jacob gave this prophecy, he was anticipating that the Jews would reject "the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation." (vs. 15) Jacob goes further to say that this stone is the only way that God will provide for their redemption. Jacob also knows that God will redeem His people. So it is for him a great puzzle, of sorts, trying to figure out how the Jews would ever accept Christ as their Redeemer. For He is to become "the head of their corner." (vs. 17)
There is a footnote on verse 17, on the word "ever" in the question that goes like this: "How is it possible that these [the Jews], after having rejected the sure foundation [Jesus Christ], can ever* build upon it, that it may become the head of their corner?"
Jesus taught in Matthew 19:30, "But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first." In Doctrine and Covenants 29:30, the Lord reveals that He has not committed all His judgments unto man, and then goes on to explain that all his words must be fulfilled, including those just mentioned from Matthew 19.
Ultimately, what Jacob is preparing us for in posing this question is the allegory that is to follow in the next chapter, which goes on to reveal the great love and purposes of the Lord in having made covenants with the house of Israel.
----------
Quietly, the Spirit of the Lord says: Because I love them, I have planned and prepared the way for the redemption of all my children. I am in command of my holy work as it moves across the earth.
There are several interesting thoughts presented in these final verses that could be each treated individually. For example, verse 14 talks about God ultimately allowing all of his children to do what they will do, even if it will lead to their destruction. "...And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble." Not that God will take away the consequences of bad behavior, but He does work according to our desires. On the the flip side, if our desires are God's desires, then how great are the blessings that will result.
Another interesting thought: the stone, or the sure foundation, which God had given the Jews to build upon. When Jacob gave this prophecy, he was anticipating that the Jews would reject "the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation." (vs. 15) Jacob goes further to say that this stone is the only way that God will provide for their redemption. Jacob also knows that God will redeem His people. So it is for him a great puzzle, of sorts, trying to figure out how the Jews would ever accept Christ as their Redeemer. For He is to become "the head of their corner." (vs. 17)
There is a footnote on verse 17, on the word "ever" in the question that goes like this: "How is it possible that these [the Jews], after having rejected the sure foundation [Jesus Christ], can ever* build upon it, that it may become the head of their corner?"
Jesus taught in Matthew 19:30, "But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first." In Doctrine and Covenants 29:30, the Lord reveals that He has not committed all His judgments unto man, and then goes on to explain that all his words must be fulfilled, including those just mentioned from Matthew 19.
Ultimately, what Jacob is preparing us for in posing this question is the allegory that is to follow in the next chapter, which goes on to reveal the great love and purposes of the Lord in having made covenants with the house of Israel.
----------
Quietly, the Spirit of the Lord says: Because I love them, I have planned and prepared the way for the redemption of all my children. I am in command of my holy work as it moves across the earth.
Comments
Post a Comment