2 Nephi 20

2 Nephi 20;  Isaiah 10

2 Nephi 20: 1-4

unrighteous decrees....................................................The Lord forbids abuse of leadership
poor, widows, fatherless..............................................Leaders have a responsibility to protect these
without me..............................................................the Lord will not sustain groups that abandon these vulnerable groups

Very succinctly this scripture tells us to remember the most vulnerable members of the society.  Failure to do so will see the withdrawal of the spirit from that organization

2 Nephi 20: 5-17

rod of anger.....................................................The Lord identifies Assyria as a punishing instrument
hypocritical nation....................................................we are expected to actually live what we believe
pride of the North...................................................The nation of Israel has erroneous thinking
graven images.......................................................among accomplishments adulterous religion
will punish.....................................................both that nation and Syria the model cursed
robbed treasures...............................................the Lord will remove the ability to do those things
my hand..........................................................a bit too smug, and a failure to acknowledge God
ax boast................................................................forgetting the Lord in prosperity is wrong
kindle..............................................................the Lord will punish the abandoning people
a fire......................................................................the curse is on Israel for this, broken covenant

Isaiah itemizes many of the complaints the Lord has with the Children of Israel.  Among their faults is the sin of ingratitude, followed by vaunting pride and idolatry.  He will not allow the broken covenant to sustain their blessings of prosperity.  And he explains how the country is about to experience an invasion by a stronger and also doomed kingdom, and that they will cursed together.

2 Nephi 20: 18-26

child shall write them.....................................so few blessings that a small child can grasp it in totality
shall stay on the Lord.........................................at a future time, the people will worship correctly
remnant return...............................................the reestablishment of the Lord's kingdom
overflow....................................................a tremendous growth among the righteous
indignation cease...............................................removal of the curse on the House of Israel
stir up scourge...................................................will require severe chastening to get there

Within the Lord's plan is the need for the children of Israel to receive scourging until they finally realize the value of the Lord's leadership in his covenant.  Then they will repent and become an overpowering force than cannot be restrained.  However, this will never happen with any measure of apostate or evil workings.  It must be done in the Lord's way.

2 Nephi 20: 27-34

burden.........................................................Prosperity will be universal when done right
shake his hand.............................................will exert his leadership and his blessings or curses
lop................................................................He has the power to destroy the wicked
cut down.....................................................the most prosperous can be laid waste at His word

The Lord's omnipotent power and leadership can either prosper the nation or destroy it.

2 Nephi 20

This chapter of Isaiah and Nephi both illustrate the relationship the Lord has with the Children of Israel dealing with his leadership and the covenant made between the people and the Lord.  The Lord promises to prosper the nation when it follows his commandment, and he reminds us all that the underlying rules is the country must never abandon the most vulnerable of His people.  We need to start any discussion of divine protection and blessing on that premise.  This a great reminder to the present day Church.  In the hub bub of talk on the political front, we must never forget the elderly, the young, the handicapped, and the others that are at the mercy of the culture.