The Helper of Israel
The Hebrew verb: to “plow” (prepare) the soil (ground) or “to engrave (impress) upon the mind” (heart) is haras. In a concrete sense, it means : “to cut into”; to engrave (upon a soft surface; to incise; to imprint; to stamp; to etch ; to chisel) a deep- and lasting impression of some kind upon something or someone. In this particular instance, Isaiah is describing, through metaphor, the work of craftsmen (master-craftsmen; artisans; wizards; geniuses; prodigies) in the “practice of magical arts” (sorcery) for the purpose of permanently impressing (influencing; winning-over; galvanizing; electrifying; bedazzling; ) the minds and hearts of Israel’s people. For this very reason, occult practices are strictly forbidden. When sorcerers (magicians) misrepresent (falsify; disguise) themselves as “Priests unto the Most-High God”, unless Israel’s people can discern the difference between Jehovah’s priests and skilled-magicians, they are entirely vulnerable and easily led-away, captive to superstition and confusion. Sadly, Isaiah foresaw just this very situation unfolding among Israel’s people during our day and age (the last days).
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1. Behold, church leaders in comfortable-positions (cozy-places; Presiding priesthood leaders in Salt Lake City) are exercising (employing; utilizing; operating; performing; using) priestcraft (sorcery; witchcraft; enchantments) against Me (Jehovah) and against the people (nation) of Israel. They must cleanse (disassociate; separate; disentangle; disengage) themselves , therefore, from this time forward, from laying-snares for (waylaying; plotting destruction for) Israel’s people (rank and file Mormon people). They unite themselves to pass judgement and declare a death-sentence upon the new generation of Israel’s people that is confronting (approaching; addressing) them.
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2. Who is directing (pointing; diverting; redirecting; deviating; moving) this band of covetous Mormon-religious-authorities away from “The Rise of the Sun/Son of God” (east)? Salt lak’s General Authorities oppose (contravene; withstand; defy) “what is right”, for their own interests (for their personal and financial benefit). They give (impart; donate; contribute; award) to suit non-Israelite purposes and the purposes (objectives; ultimate aims) of fallen (perishing; degenerate; low-minded) royalty, in their midst, who oversee (orchestrate; supervise; lead; execute) the wholesale desolation (destruction; laying waste) of Israel’s people (rank and file Mormon people) as if Israel’s people (rank and file Mormon people) were dust (worthless-stuff; riff-raff; trash; the dregs of society; wreckage ) to be blown-away (overwhelmed; extremely impressed) by Salt Lake’s deceptive image of strength.
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3. They persecute (afflict; badger; vex; aggravate; importune) Israel’s people (rank and file Mormon people) while they move-along (proceed; gain-ground; make headway; push-forward; clear the way) unscathed (unharmed; without a scratch; safe and sound), while in total lockstep (a way of marching in which people follow each other very closely) with Salt Lake’s presiding priesthood leadership, they acquire nothing.
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4. Who attempts, by his own personal labors, to proclaim (announce; herald; profess) his generations (breeding) originates from the leaders (princes; pioneers; foremost; beginnings; heads) of the people. From the very start, I am Israel’s First-Father (forefather) and I am He who accompanies this renewed (revitalized; enlivened; reinvigorated; spirited) latter-day generation of Israel’s people.
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5. Mormon priesthood leaders seeming to relax (prosper; luxuriate) in Salt Lake City , realize it (see it; know it) and they are afraid (terrified) at the thought of the “End of the World” (the end of their dominion) and they tremble at the approach (proximity; nearness; arrival) of this new generation of Israel’s people.
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6. Each Mormon General Authority has in his mind to facilitate (enable; prop-up; promote; advocate) the other and to his “Brethren” each one says, “Hold-firm!”
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7. And they encourage (lend themselves to; sanction; participate in; uphold; approve) the practice of “black magic” (sorcery; wizardry) along with the crafting of a shiny-golden element overlaying their public image (persona) as someone who is smooth (polished; silver-tongued; cool) , as if fashioned by a hammer, suggesting to the mind, the hardness of an anvil, commanding Israel’s people to be good by adhering (cleaving; holding-tight) to Salt Lake’s leadership and fasten (secure; depend) themselves with Salt Lake’s nails (General Authorities; presiding priesthood leaders), so they will not fall.
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8. But you, Israel, are to serve me. Jacob’s men (defrauders; deceivers; fakes) in whom you’ve delighted, are also descendants (the seed) of my friend, Abraham, but, you have come from the ends of the earth (everywhere) to embrace Jacob’s prophets.
9. Now, I am calling you to come out from the farthest corners of the world and saying to you…you must serve me, not Jacob. I have chosen you Israel and …I have absolutely not dismissed (forgotten) you.
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9. I am taking you by the hand, so that you may take the lead (go in advance; conduct; guide; marshal) in the realization (accomplishment; achievement; fulfillment) of the ends (objectives; purposes) this earth.
10. Don’t be afraid, because I will accompany (chaperon; escort; attend) you. Don’t be dismayed (daunted; dispirited) because “I am your God” and I will strengthen you. Indeed, I will help (befriend; rescue; facilitate) you and I will uphold (gird; carry; boost) you with the right-hand (most reliable and trustworthy part) of my righteousness (my legitimacy ; what is my lawful right).