Scripture Study - 1 Nephi 17:12-15

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

11 Jul 2008 02:00 PM

Nephi has just been commanded to build a ship, something he's never done before in his life, but the Lord promised to show him the way, and Nephi is willing to give it a try. He makes a bellows to blow the fire, knowing he'll need the heat to construct the tools for the building of the ship, and now he comments on the fact that they haven't built many fires during the time they've been in the wilderness.

12. For the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire, as we journeyed in the wilderness; for he said: I will make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not;

13. And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.

These two verses are interesting to me in a lot of ways. The Lord doesn't want them making fire, but instead, He prepares their meat for them so they can still stomach it without the need for cooking it. He's given them a commandment, and true to the theme we've seen in Nephi's life, He has made a way for them to accomplish the things He's asked them to do.

I'm also reminded of the analogy we're given of stepping into the darkness and trusting the Lord to guide our footsteps. As He says, "I will be your light," He's committing to be their guide, to keep them from stumbling, and to show them the way they need to go. He's also telling them that His guidance will be miraculous, and they will know and recognize that it's only through Him that they accomplished the task they'd been given. They won't be able to hide from acknowledging His hand in all things.

14. Yea, and the Lord said also that: After ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem.

Again, it will be very plain who is to receive the credit for their safety and prosperity. He is God, and they will all have to admit that and come to terms with that, even though many of their hearts are hard and they are beyond hearing at this time.

15. Wherefore, I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence.

Nephi, on the other hand, already knows the power of God and he wants to partake of those promised blessings, so he's eager to be obedient. Because of his love for his brothers, he also encourages them to keep the commandments, knowing that the rewards will be great.

From today's reading: In what ways has the Lord shown you His hand in your life? Did you acknowledge His goodness?

Related Blogs:

Recognizing the Lord's Hand in Your Life

Trust in the Lord

Seasons of Salvation

Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

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