All sorts of ideas flow into my mind and heart when I read this Isaiah chapter (2 Nephi 15). Isaiah brings up a time when the laws of God are rejected the people. The same thing happens through out history. The Jews were destroyed when they rejected their Messiah and were fully ripe. The Nephites, the Jaredites, the Canaanites all had similar total destruction of their civilizations. These nations all have one thing in common: the people have no interest in the Lord and his statutes. And it is happening again. Our great gentile nation seems to ripening in iniquity. We see the symptoms all around us. What is this ripening nation like and what will inevitably happen? Let see what Isaiah has to say.
The Lord talks about a very fruitful hill (v.1). This sounds to me like a chosen land, perhaps, America as we apply the scriptures to our day and age. The land is a choice vine and has a tower (v.2). This is a knowledge of Christ and having a prophet among them. The gentiles (including the saints) have been given the gospel. But this nation brings forth (generally) wild grapes. Their fruits or works are not good. The Lord then asks what more could he do? (v.4) He then says that he will take away this nation's defences (hedge) and trodden it down! (v.5) He will lay it waste. (v.6). Isaiah then clarifies that the vineyard is the house of Israel (v.6) but when he looks for judgment (justice) all he finds is oppression. The righteous are crying.
Isaiah then pronounces a woe to those who force everyone to live in houses so close to each other (v.8). There needs to be space to be alone. He then says the houses will be empty (v.9). This is another portend of total destruction. The land will not produce an increase (v.10).
Isaiah talks of people who drink from morning to night. This could be a metaphor of a people who take no thought of the Lord from morning to night. It could depict a people who never has time to slow down and seek the Lord. (v.11)
These same people are constantly going from one pleasure to the next, enjoying music, and partying (v.12). With this attitude about life, they don't regard the work of the Lord nor consider the operation of His hands. They don't see the big picture, that theirs more to life than working and pleasure day after day. These people have gone into captivity (v.13) because they have no knowledge (of God and His work). It's like everyone is famished and dried up with thirst. Spiritual things don't even cross their mind! They are unaware that their is another way, another choice than the one they are living!
Because of state of affairs among men, knowing nothing of the things of God, hell has enlarged herself and opened her mouth without measure. The culture is completely corrupt. Those that glory in this culture are descending into hell. (v.14)
Because of this state of affairs, those in power will be brought down. They will be humbled (v.15). The Lord will rule this land (v.16). The land will be given to others (v.17).
Isaiah pronounces another woe on those who influence others to do iniquity (v.19). They tempt the Lord wanting to see with their eyes, this supposed destruction that will come because of their supposed wickedness. They call evil good and good evil (v.20). They purport their dark ways as light and their sinful (bitter)lives as real living and the sweet wholesome life as foolish and boring.
Another woe is pronounced on those that are wise on their own eyes and prudent in their own sight. Don't we all want be wise and prudent? But, coupled with pride brings a curse from the Lord. (v.21) A lot more could be said on this subject. What we perceive as normal in our culture could really be pride from a spiritual stand point.
Isaiah pronounces a woe unto men who use alcohol. (v.22)
When I read this verse, I think of lawyers that justify the wicked for reward. Through sophistry they are able to take from the righteous that which was given them through righteous living.(v.23)
This verse (v.24) reminds of new age gurus, masters, speakers, teachers that purport their doctrine mingled with scripture as the way to happiness. They are rewarded with money for their Korihorian doctrine. They then surmise that they have found the truth because people keep on giving them money. But they teach a false doctrine where righteous work isn't required to get anything in this life. Isaiah says that they will be destroyed "because they have cast away the law of the Lord of Hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel." (v.24)
After this verse Isaiah describes terrible destruction. Once everybody in the society is in the chains of hell, the society is ripe for destruction. They no longer worship the God of the land, Jesus Christ. The people have succumbed to false doctrines. The laws set by God are universally not obeyed. The great plan of happiness is void among this people.
When this general wickedness is the norm, a abomination of desolation is pronounced on the nation. Isaiah says that an ensign to the nations will rise up from afar (v.26) and move swiftly and have sharp arrows (v.28) and roar like a young lion (v.29), and lay hold on their prey... and none shall deliver. After this there will be darkness and sorrow in the land (v. 30)
These last verses seem to tie to the young lion in 3 Nephi 20, 21 and Mormon 5 which comes to the gentile nations and tears them apart like sheep. I believe all these verses are describing a time when the West (especially America) is ripened in iniquity and is destroyed (scourged, whipped) by what the Lord calls the remnant of Jacob.
