2 Nephi 18

2 Nephi 18;  Isaiah 8

2 Nephi 18: 1-13

riches and spoil taken away......................................predicted fall of the nation of Assyria
refuse waters of Shiloh..................................................probably baptism or ritual washing?
waters of the river....................................................imminent invasion and enslavement
fill the land..........................................................the invasion will penetrate into Judah
broken...................................................................those who join with Damascus cursed
come to naught......................................................divinely controlled events
Him, the dread..........................................................only God is worshiped, not other countries

Isaiah prophesies the confederacy of Israel with Assyria, and he foretells its demise.  The Lord protests his people, and the people who follow the Lord under protection

2 Nephi 18: 14-22

stone of stumbling...............................................you cannot proceed without confronting
many snared.......................................................those who are not following the faith, enslaved
bind testimony.................................................teach the people, warn, and commit them to make a choice
signs and wonders..............................................the Lord protects his people, Miracles follow
peep............................................................those who follow animistic religion are doomed
no light.........................................................only the promises of God prevail.  Other sources fail
see trouble and darkness................................those who forsake God receive no help in troubles

The problem for the people is that they have abandoned God, and will not, therefore, receive help in their hour of need.

Isaiah is told to teach the people repentance, even if the people reject the message.  The fact that they receive the knowledge of the impending trials will hold them responsible for the consequences.

2 Nephi 7

2 Nephi 7  Isaiah 50

2 Nephi 7: 1-5

divorcement..........................................................had good completely disowned Israel?
yourselves...............................................any separation comes from the human perspective
have I no.................................................a phrase to remind men that God is divine.  His power is greater than anything of the world
blackness, sack clothe.............................symbols of sorrow.  God is saddened by man's separation
tongue of the learned..................................idiomatic of Isaiah's intellectual gift
he waketh...............................................Isaiah views his gifts as divinely bestowed
turn away back.............................................idiomatic.  God does not abandon men

2 Nephi 7: 6-8

gave my back.................................Isaiah allows himself to suffer in his service to God
not confounded....................................such attacks will not defeat Isaiah
he justifies..............................................the Lord will strengthen his faithful servant
set like flint................................................this allows men to remain faithful in trials
strength of mouth...................................ability to chastise correctly and righteously

Isaiah recounts the gifts that the Lord has endowed upon him.  He knows that faithfulness increases the power of the gifts.

2 Nephi 7: 9-11

eat them up................................................the curse on those who reject and work against God
feareth the Lord.................................................true followers and servants of God
voice.............................................................what the servant speaks is the errand from God
walk in light/darkness..........................................the governing path chosen by the person
sparks..............................................................many assume the power of God wrongly.  It is not us, rather than God that gives life.  Sparks start fires that destroy, while God's light leads men.
lie down in sorrow.........................................end result.  Those who reject God are condemned

The purpose of life is joy, but those who reject God and still desire enlightenment cannot find that joy.  The servant of God imparts God's will.   Those who reject the message, reject the Lord

2 Nephi 7

This chapter instructs the servant of God to be fearless in doing his work, regardless of the reaction from the audience.  Those who accept God's word, especially his servants who work faithfully, are blessed by God's righteous oversight.  Those who reject or counter God's word are fooling themselves.  They delude themselves in their wisdom, because it has no divine stamp of approval and will ultimately lead to sorrow.