His Hand is Stretched out Still

There are several running themes in the Book of Isaiah. In chapters 19 and 20 of second Nephi His hand is stretched out still is used to depict the tender mercies of the Lord. Prior to this statement is cited the unrighteous behavior of the inhabitants of the earth. The oppressor and the oppressed are mentioned in chapter 20, which is Isaiah's chapter 10.

The oppressor makes unrighteous decrees and write grievousness which they have prescribed (vs. 1). These decrees turn away the needy and prey upon the widows and fatherless (vs. 2). They, the oppressors, will take charge of the spoil (or the wealth) and tread down the people (vs. 6). His (the oppressor's) heart is to destroy and cut off nations (vs. 7). They are proud and do make themselves altogether kings (vs. 8). He saith, "By the strength of my hand and by my wisdom I have done these things; for I am prudent; and I have moved the borders of the people and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man; and my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people; and as one gathereth eggs that are left have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped" (vs. 13 -14).

The Lord's response to the wicked oppressor, "I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks" (vs 12). The Lord asks, "Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it (vs. 15)? "Behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts shall lop the bough with terror; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down; and the haughty shall be humbled" (vs. 33).

The oppressed ( saith the Lord) "without me shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain (vs. 4). " The Assyrian; he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee' (vs 24). There shall be a scourge and a slaughter (vs. 26).

The Lord's has two responses to the oppressed. The Lord will send leanness and kindle a burning of fire (vs. 17), "And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame, and shall burn and shall devour his thorns and his briers in one day" (vs. 18). He counsels "O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid...For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction" (vs. 24 and 25). The Lord needs to perform his whole work (of refining) upon Mount Zion and upon Jerusalem (vs. 12). But "his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of he anointing (footnote; Jesus Christ, Messiah)" (vs. 27).

Chapter 21 speaks more of what the Lord will do for those that have endured the refining process and chosen righteousness over wickedness, those who have not turned their backs on Jesus Christ but have allowed Him to embrace, nurture, teach and guide them. Yet to all the theme that rings clear and strong to all, both the oppressor and the oppressed is "But His hand is stretched out still" (Chap. 19:12, 17, 21; Chap 20:4). And we shall lift up the voice (vs. 30) and shout, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Might God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of government and peace there is no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth, even forever..." (2 Nephi 19:6).