Isaiah 45-50

Chapter 45 continues the prophecy of the resettling of Jerusalem after the exile (presumably). Again with prophecy, it is hard to get a full-orbed understanding without extensive research. Shining out from the verses is the repeated proclamation from God that He alone is God and that there is no other like Him. This would be an important passage for the Latter-Day Saints to grasp. We will not become gods in any sense, as God Himself tells us that He is the only God and that there never has been another or will be another like Him. Five times in chapter 45 the words are given by God and in 45:14, even the foreigners admit such to Israel.

The foolishness of the Bablylonian Gods are mentioned in chapter 46. Again, the uniqueness of God as the only deity is taught. Babylon's eventual doom is predicted in chapter 47. This must have seemed impossible both to the world and to the Babylonians themselves.

God's attention turns back to Israel in chapter 48 and to their stubborn refusal to turn completely from idolatry. In 48:12-13 is a reference used in Revelation of God being the first and the last -- Alpha and Omega. This is an important passage in defense of the deity of Jesus Christ, and in His part in creation as laid out in 48:13. Finally Israel's release from Babylon is foretold in the final portions of chapter 48.

The Suffering Servant returns in chapter 49. He is "the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel... despised and abhorred by the nation..." Israel is to be restored because God has not forgotten His people. Chapter 50 is a call to obey the Servant who is not so weak as to be unable to redeem Israel. Obedience is key. 50:10-11 are illustrative of how it is to be: those in the dark are to trust and rely on God, but those who are content with their own imitation lights are told to stick to the imitation and await the coming punishment.