Jacob’s Covenant Sermon 2 Nephi 6-10
FALL FESTIVALS ROSH HASHANA: Feast of Trumpets, New Year YOM KIPPUR: Day Of Atonement SUCCOTH: Tabernacles or booths SIMCHAT TORAH: The Joy of the Torah
ROSH HASHANAH Feast of Trumpets The anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve The New Year Day of judgment and coronation, Sounding of the shofar
YOM KIPPUR Day of Atonement The holiest day of the year. Fasting and atonement, solemnity and joy Closest to G‑d and to the quintessence of our own souls.
SUCCOT Feast of Tabernacles Tree-bough Huts Celebrated Completion of Full Harvest Symbolized Israel’s Gathering Closes the period of Divine judgment that began on Rosh Hashanah
SIMCHAT TORAH: The Joy of the Torah …utterly unbridled joy, which surpasses even the joy of Sukkot. …celebrate the conclusion—and restart—of the annual Torah-reading cycle. …march and dance with the Torah scrolls around the reading table in the synagogue
The Covenant/Treaty Pattern Preamble Historical overview and covenant speech Stipulations of the covenant Blessings and Cursings A witness formula, A recording of the covenant per John S. Thomson
The Covenant-renewal Elements preamble = 2 Nephi 6:1–4 historical overview = 2 Nephi 6:5–9;22 stipulations of the covenant = 2 Nephi 9:23–26 blessings and cursings = 2 Nephi 9:27–43 witness formula = 2 Nephi 9:44 the recording of the covenant = 2 Nephi 9:52 per John S. Thomson
The Structure of Jacob’s Speech Day 1 Introduction 2 Nephi 6:1–5 Quotation of Isaiah 49:22–23 2 Nephi 6:6–7 Explanation 2 Nephi 6:8–15 Quotation of Isaiah 49:24–52:2 2 Nephi 6:16–8:25 Discourse Conclusion 2 Nephi 9:1–54
Jacob’s Use of Isaiah Enhances His Themes creation in Isaiah 51:13 = 2 Nephi 8:13 the name of God in Isaiah 51:15 = 2 Nephi 8:15 the voice of God’s servant in Isaiah 50:10 = 2 Nephi 7:10 the law in Isaiah 51:4 = 2 Nephi 8:4 judgment in Isaiah 51:4–5 = 2 Nephi 8:4–5 deliverance in Isaiah 50:2 = 2 Nephi 7:2
House Burnt by the Romans in 70 AD
Pots from the Burnt House
JACOB’S SIX EXCLAMATIONS, “O the . . .” (9:8, 10, 13, 17, 19, 20). 8. O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! 10. O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way 13. O how great the plan of our God! 17. O the greatness and the justice of our God! 19. O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! 20. O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things and there is not anything save he knows it.
JACOB’S TEN WOES (9:27, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38). 27. wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state! 30. wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. 31. wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish. 32. Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they shall perish also. 33. Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day.