Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
Jacob Chapter 3
Jac 3:11 And no man knoweth of his ways, save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise
not the revelations of God.
3:11 One of old exclaimed, "Canst thou by searching find out God?" (Job 11:7). And Paul gives
credit for his knowledge (Gal. 1:12). This does not condemn research nor study (II Tim. 2:15). On
the contrary, we are commanded to "seek learning even by study, and also by faith" (D. and C.
85:36a). Too many students disregard the promise of divine help through the prayer of faith.
Paul reminded us that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God" (I Cor. 2:14).
There are some fields of knowledge which cannot be penetrated by the wisdom of man. Only as he
comes to God in humility and faith (Heb. 11:6) can he learn the things of the Spirit. Jacob then
admonishes his brethren, "seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand" (14).
(See also D. and C. 20:1d)
THE STUMBLING OF THE JEWS, VER. 18-29
Jac 3:19 Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for
the Spirit speaketh the truth, and lieth not.
3: 19 This reminds us of the statement of Paul, "Let all things be done unto edifying ...And the
spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (I Cor. 14:26, 32). The one who exercises the
gift of prophecy is responsible for the time, place, and manner of expression. It seems that one
acting under divine unction might have a tendency to use words which would not be
comprehended by an uninspired person, even though he is speaking a sublime truth. He would
therefore be like the trumpet which gives "an uncertain sound"; consequently "who shall prepare
himself to the battle?" (I Cor. 14:8).
Jacob went on to say of the Spirit, "It speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they
really will be ...for the salvation of our souls" (Jb. 3:20). The prophets of old are also witnesses of
this.
Jac 3:22 But behold, the Jews were a stiff-necked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and
killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand.
3:22 The adjective "stiff-necked" is an old-fashioned word. We use "stubborn" or "obstinate"
today. Their conviction that 'they were "a chosen people" cultured a pride which often caused
them to reject the word of God through the prophets, particularly when they were chastened in
"words of plainness." They were similar to some today who like to listen to learned lectures on
"the goodness of virtue" and eloquent discourses on "mother and home" but are angered by those
prophets who condemn their personal sins and social wickedness. It was a case of the "blind
leading the blind" (23).
Jac 3:26 And now I, Jacob, am led on by the Spirit unto prophesying: for I perceive by the workings of
the Spirit which is in me, that by the stumbling of the Jews, they will reject the stone upon which they
might build, and have safe foundation.