Isaiah 50–57: Lesson 125
Isaiah 54
“With Great Mercies Will I Gather Thee”
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
People may feel forsaken and alone at times. Because the house of Israel broke the covenant they made with Jehovah, they were scattered. They may have felt that God had forsaken them. However, through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord reminded His covenant people, both then and now, that He would gather them with great mercies and give them peace. This lesson can help you feel the Savior’s love for and commitment to you.
Study the Scriptures
It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. This means that being able to see or visualize something can help you understand it. Think about your favorite fruit. Close your eyes and imagine it. With a picture in your mind, think about how you would describe it to someone.
Isaiah used visualization and imagery to share the Lord’s words. Understanding these images can help you know the Lord and His teachings better. Let’s review a visual of the children of Israel. Spend a couple of minutes looking at the following image of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and notice where Isaiah fits in.
As you study Isaiah 54, listen for promptings from the Holy Ghost to help you know how Jesus Christ feels about you.
Let’s practice identifying and understanding some of the imagery Isaiah shared.
Read Isaiah 54:1–4. As you do, draw a simple picture in your notebook of what Isaiah described. It may look something like this:
Think about what the parts of the tent might represent. Consider the following questions and write some of your answers in a note next to verse 2:
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How do you think the Savior’s Church is like a tent?
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How do stakes support a tent? What can this teach us about the role of the stakes of Zion in the Savior’s restored Church?
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In what ways do you see the tent enlarging in our day?
If available, watch “Angels in the Mirror” (5:47) to see an example of the Church being like a tent.
Now let’s find some more imagery. As you do, remember it is OK if you are not perfect at doing this. Practicing can help you understand better. Read Isaiah 54:5–8 and draw a simple image of a husband and wife. Mark who represents Jesus and who can represent you. Record how this describes your relationship with Jesus Christ. What does this comparison help you understand about Jesus Christ’s feelings about you?
Review the following study options. Complete one or more.
Option A
What does Isaiah teach me about Jesus Christ?
Isaiah used many names and titles when talking about Jesus Christ.
Read Isaiah 54:5. Mark the names you find.
Look up the meaning of these names. You can use the Guide to the Scriptures, Topics and Questions, or a dictionary. In your opinion, how do these names fit the Savior?
Make a note next to verse 5 that includes how these names of the Savior help you feel His love for and commitment to you.
Option B
How can I see the Savior better?
Isaiah was creative and used imagery and analogies to help us understand the Savior and His gospel. It’s now your turn to create your own analogy or imagery to describe the Savior.
Read Isaiah 54:13, 17. Create an analogy or an image from what you learn about Him—His character or His attributes. You could create a poem, a story, a drawing, or something else.
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: This lesson can help you feel the Savior’s love and commitment to you.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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Your drawings, including a brief explanation about how they represent Jesus Christ.
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The image or analogy you created about Jesus Christ.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?