Come Follow Me-Sept. 21-27, 2026-Isaiah 40-49

<p>In one of our more popular and rousing hymns we singthe words, “O Babylon, O Babylon, we bid thee farewell.  We’regoing to the mountains of Ephraim to dwell.”  Have you ever stopped to wonder what those words means? I’ll be honest-I have never really given it a second thought!  But studying these chapters in Isaiah has brought me to a greater understanding of what these phrases from a song really mean to a latter day member of the house of Israel.  </p><p>In srael’s early beginnings Babylon was not even their biggest threat.  Remember their biggest threat was Assyria. </p><p>By the time Isaiah comes on the scene, Babylon wasa subject state under Assyrian control, occasionally rebelling against that control.  If you remember back in 2 Kings20 when Hesekiah almost dies from a sickness, but then the Lord through the prophet Isaiah tells Hezekiah he will spare his life 15 more years.  When the king of Babylon hears that Hezekiah is sick, he sends an envoy with letters and gifts.  I’m going to read 2 kings 20:13-17.</p><p> So even before Babylon became the dominant empire, Isaiah was prophesying that it would eventually become a conqueror of Judah. </p><p>Throughout the later Israelite history Babylonbecomes this recurring image — of pride, exile, power, idolatry, and self-sufficiency.  Eventually it becomes a spiritual metaphorfor worldliness and sin. Babylon is the world’s way of living life. </p><p>In essence it becomes the stark contrast to Zion, whichsymbolizes peace, unity, purity and devotion to God. Zion represents God’s way of living life. </p><p>Zion and Babylon are not just two places on a map.Throughout scripture they function as an image of two opposing <em>conditions of the heart</em>.  </p><p> </p><p>This is the metaphor Elder Neal A. Maxwell wasusing when he said, “People know they should have their primary residence in Zion, but they still hope to keep a summer cottage in Babylon.”  He then admonished, “<em>Letus once and for all establish our residence in Zion and give up the summer cottage in Babylon.&quot;</em> (Elder Neal A.Maxwell)</p><p>Summer is coming to a close here in Utah! So wedon’t have much use for a summer cottage anyway! Let’s learn from Isaiah about how we can turn our back on Babylon and its worldly ways, and keep our feetfixed and our eyes riveted to the path that leads to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Our Savior is marvelous and He can workwonders! </p><p></p>