And now I would that ye might know that after my father Lehi had made an end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, that it was not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take his family into the wilderness alone, but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise. And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi, and my brethren should again return into the land of Jerusalem and bring down Ishmael and his family into the wilderness. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did again with my brethren go forth into the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass that we went up unto the house of Ishmael, and we did gain favor in the sight of Ishmael, insomuch that we did speak unto him the words of the Lord. And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael and also his whole household, insomuch that they took their journey with us down into the wilderness to the tent of our father.
As we look at this exodus from Jerusalem we are seeing one of the many fulfillments of the prophecy of Zenos in his allegory of the olive tree.
... Hearken, O ye house of Israel, and hear the words of me, a prophet of the Lord? For behold, thus saith the Lord: I will liken thee, O house of Israel, like unto a tame olive tree which a man took and nourished in his vineyard. And it grew, and waxed old, and began to decay. And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard went forth, and he saw that his olive tree began to decay. And he said, I will prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it, that perhaps it may shoot forth young and tender branches and it perish not. And it came to pass that he pruned it, and digged about it, and nourished it, according to his word. And it came to pass that after many days it began to put forth somewhat a little, young and tender branches; but behold, the main top thereof began to perish. And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard saw it, and he said unto his servant, It grieveth me that I should lose this tree. Wherefore, go and pluck the branches from a wild olive tree and bring them hither unto me; and we will pluck off those main branches which are beginning to wither away, and we will cast them into the fire that they may be burned. And behold, saith the Lord of the vineyard, I take away many of these young and tender branches, and I will graft them whithersoever I will, and it mattereth not that if it so be that the root of this tree will perish, I may preserve the fruit thereof unto myself. Wherefore, I will take these young and tender branches, and I will graft them whithersoever I will; take thou the branches of the wild olive tree and graft them in, in the stead thereof. And these which I have plucked off, I will cast into the fire and burn them, that they may not cumber the ground of my vineyard. And it came to pass that the servant of the Lord of the vineyard did according to the word of the Lord of the vineyard, and grafted in the branches of the wild olive tree. And the Lord of the vineyard caused that it should be digged about, and pruned, and nourished, saying unto his servant, It grieveth me that I should lose this tree. Wherefore, that perhaps I might preserve the roots thereof, that they perish not, that I might preserve them unto myself, I have done this thing. Wherefore, go thy way, watch the tree, and nourish it according to my words. And these will I place in the nethermost part of my vineyard, whithersoever I will; it mattereth not unto thee. And I do it that I may preserve unto myself the natural branches of the tree, and also that I may lay up fruit thereof against the season unto myself; for it grieveth me that I should lose this tree and the fruit thereof. (Jacob 5:1 - 13, NC Jacob 3 pars. 7 - 8)
The Lord's promises with the original Fathers which came down from Adam to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and Joseph are represented in the allegory as "roots".
The Lord has always intended to preserve and vindicate His promises made to the Fathers from the beginning by preserving the house of Israel.
In order for that to occur the tree (house of Israel) must produce "fruit" that is worthy of preservation.
Over centuries the bloodline house of Israel fell into apostasy and dwindled in unbelief.
The Lord, through teaching repentance and allowing captivity and destruction to come upon the house of Israel (the olive tree) pruned or cut away the dead branches and digged about the tree breaking up tradition and nourished it preaching His words.
His pruning and digging and nourishing did result in some few (the somewhat a little, young and tender branches) turning to Him.
However, the Lord (the master of the vineyard), seeing that in spite of all He had done in "digging" and "pruning" and "nourishing" the house of Israel, decided that the main lofty branches or families of the house of Israel (the main top) would continue to refuse to respond to His enticings.
He therefore determined that they, the main lofty part of the house of Israel, would be cut off.
He also determined that the young and tender branches (the few who responded to His actions to save the House of Israel) would be scattered to the nethermost parts of His vineyard (the world).
We see in Lehi's family one of the young and tender branches being taken to a nethermost place.
We, our study group, believe that we know very little concerning all of the "transplanting" that has taken place by the Lord (the Master of the vineyard).
Is it possible that these transplantings took groups all over the world and they have been lost to us as far as any scriptural records we now possess?
Is it possible that all of these groups have scriptures?
How would the Lord intend to reunite all the possible various scriptures into one in Christ if that is the case?
Would that be part of all of His other sheep becoming one fold with one Shepherd?
Did the Lord visit all of His other sheep?
Well getting back, what is the "fruit" that the Lord (the master of the vineyard) desires to preserve?
Our study group agrees with the following explanation.
The young and tender branches are the goal. These, however, will not yield fruit for
some time. They must have an opportunity to develop.
This description of ancient Israel shows how the Lord’s work was always purposeful
and designed to preserve the tree and continue to create sons and daughters of God.
However, despite all He did, the “little, young and tender branches” were
comparatively small in the scheme of things. As to the “main top thereof” it “began to
perish.” (5: 6.)
The infrastructure, the hierarchy, the temple, the priestly class, the learned Rabbis
and the schools of thought were rotting. They were nothing like what would be
required to produce fruit. They were religious but heritical. They were devoted, but
not His sons and daughters. The family line was broken. They needed to be adopted
back again, because they lacked the power to remain connected.
This is an odd juxtaposition: The “main top” is corrupt. The “young tender branches”
are nothing like the great growth overshadowing them. Yet the Lord sees in the young
growth what He seeks. As to the “main top” there is nothing but “perishing” and
decay.
Israel is so often in this predicament. They despise the truth, but respond warmly to
flattery telling them they are righteous. (Hel. 13: 27-28.) When someone is sent by the
Lord of the vineyard calling for repentance, Israel rejects him, says he is a sinner and a
false prophet. (Hel. 13: 25-26.) Ultimately, however, for the bloodline of Jacob to rise
up and become fruit worthy of preservation, there must be a change from blood
connection to Jacob to an adoption into Israel. Then they become sons and daughters
of God, and fruit worthy of preservation. (Mosiah 27: 25.) (Jacob Chapter 5, verse by verse commentary, Saytothem.com)
We see that the purpose of the Lord in having Nephi and his brothers return for Ishmael and his family is to accomplish His purposes of seeking to transplant young and tender branches to a nethermost part of His vineyard with the desire that they raise up seed unto Him; children who are taught the correct religion of heaven that enables them to become sons and daughters of God (fruit worthy of preservation).
Back in December, in the post "The Family of God," we discussed what it means to become a son or daughter of God, part of the family of God.
As we look at the Book of Mormon, can we see in it that fruit worthy of preservation was brought forth?
Were there many individuals who became sons and daughters of God?
It seems apparent from the scriptures that the Lord has always intended to return to the roots or the beginning promises to vindicate them through everything He has done.
We could ask a question at this point concerning that principle?
Is this what is meant by turning the hearts of the children to the Fathers and the hearts of the Fathers to the children?
Would turning the hearts of children to the Fathers (Adam on down to Joseph) necessarily mean a restoration of everything that was had in the beginning?
Can you have the hearts of children turned to the Fathers if the childrens' hearts are not filled with the same things the hearts of the Fathers were filled with?
Did Christ restore all things that were in the hearts of the Fathers to the house of Israel when He came in the meridian of time?
This is what the Prophet Joseph had to say.
And God said unto Noah the end of all flesh is before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them, and behold I will destroy them with the earth," thus we behold the Keys of this priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice of Jehovah that he talked with him in a familiar and friendly manner, that he continued to him the Keys, the Covenants, the power and glory with which he blessed Adam at the beginning and the offring of Sacrifice which also shall be continued at the last time, for all ordinances and duties that ever have been required by the priesthood under the direction and commandments of the Almighty in any of the dispensations, shall all be had in the last dispensation. Therefore all things had under the Authority of the Priesthood at any former period shall be had again - bringing to pass the restoration spoken of by the mouth of all the Holy Prophets. "then shall the sons of Levi offer an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord Se[e] Malichi 3 Chap. 3&4 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of Silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord.
It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine, set forth in the above quotation, As it is generally supposed that Sacrifice was entirely done away when the great sacrifice was offered up- and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of Sacrifice in the future, but those who assert this, are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the priesthood. or with the prophets The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the priesthood. It began with the priesthood and will be continued until after the coming of Christ from generation to generation-We free-quently have mention made of offering of Sacrifice by the servants of the most high in ancient days prior to the law of moses, See which ordinances will be continued when the priesthood is restored with all its authority power and blessings."
"Elijah was the last prophet that held the keys of this priesthood, and who will, (a reference to a yet future event) before the last dispensation, restore the authority and delive[r] the Keys of this priesthood in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness.
It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine, set forth in the above quotation, As it is generally supposed that Sacrifice was entirely done away when the great sacrifice was offered up- and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of Sacrifice in the future, but those who assert this, are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the priesthood. or with the prophets The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the priesthood. It began with the priesthood and will be continued until after the coming of Christ from generation to generation-We free-quently have mention made of offering of Sacrifice by the servants of the most high in ancient days prior to the law of moses, See which ordinances will be continued when the priesthood is restored with all its authority power and blessings."
"Elijah was the last prophet that held the keys of this priesthood, and who will, (a reference to a yet future event) before the last dispensation, restore the authority and delive[r] the Keys of this priesthood in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness.
It is true that the Savior had authority and power to bestow this blessing but the Sons of Levi were too predjudi[ced]
And I will send Elijah the Prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord &c &c.
Why send Elijah because he holds the Keys of Authority to administer in all the ordinances of the priesthood and without the authority is given the ordinances could not be administered in righteousness.
It is a very prevalent opinion that the sacrifices which were offered were entirely consumed, this was not the case if you read Leviticus [2] Chap [2-3] verses you will observe that the priests took a part as a memorial and offered it up before the Lord, while the remainder was kept for the maintenance of the priests. So that the offerings and sacrifices are not all consumed upon the Alter, but the blood is sprinkled and the fat and certain other portions are consumed These sacrifices as well as every ordinance belonging to the priesthood will when the temple of the Lord shall be built and the Sons of Levi be purified be fully restored and attended to then all their powers ramifications ramifications and blessings- this ever was and will exist when the powers of the Melchisid Priesthood are sufficiently manifest. Else how can the restitution of all things spoken by all the Holy Prophets be brought to pass It is not to be understood that, the law of moses will be established again with all it rights and variety of ceremonies, this has never been spoken of by the prophets but those things which existed prior to Mose's day viz Sacrifice will be continued- It may be asked by some what necessity for Sacrifice since the great Sacrifice was offered? In answer to which if Repentance Baptism and faith existed prior to the days of Christ what necessity for them since that time-"(The Words of Joseph Smith, pgs. 42 - 44, All spelling, capitalization and grammatical errors are preserved from the written discourse)
The Prophet Joseph stated that all things had in the beginning at the time of Adam could not be restored by Christ during His advent to the world in the meridian of time because the sons of Levi were too prejudiced.
The Lord had the power to restore the hearts of the children to the Fathers (to gather them even as a hen gathereth her chicks, to give them what they needed to become sons and daughters of God, to re-establish the family of God again on the earth) but the potential children would not receive it; they would not be gathered.
Does that mean that what the Lord established at the time of His life in order to begin to preach to the Gentiles was a complete restoration?
If we have a New Testament church do we have a complete restoration of everything reconing back to the beginning at the time of Adam?
During the time of Adam do we have individuals becoming sons and daughters of God?
Do we have the establishment of the family of God on the earth?
Do we have, in a New Testament church, everything that is necessary to produce fruit worthy of preservation; sons and daughters of God; a restoration of the family of God on the earth?
Do the teachings of the Book of Mormon have more power to produce sons and daughters of God than the teachings of a New Testament church?
From what the Lord is doing with Lehi and Ishmael and their families here and with all of the other transplantings it appears that the appearance of fruit worthy of preservation in the vineyard is of utmost importance to the Lord.
That is the crux of the prophecy of Zenos that spans the history of the world; preserving good fruit.
In our study group we have discussed what it means to speak in the name of the Lord.
This experience of returning for Ishmael and his family appears to be an example of this.
What did this look like?
How is it that Nephi and his brothers gained favor in the sight of Ishmael?
What does it mean to speak the words of the Lord?
Is that the same or related to speaking in His name?
Are there any examples of this that might be similar found in scripture?
What about Ammon and his brothers with the Lamanites?
Did they gain favor with the Lamanites and speak the words of the Lord to them?
What was the result?
What is it that allows a person's words to be convincing when speaking of Christ or inviting to follow Christ?
This is what the Lord told Hyrum in May 1829 when Hyrum desired to go out and preach concerning all that the Lord was then rolling out.
Behold, this is your work: to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind, and strength. Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosened. Then, if you desire, you shall have my spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men. But now hold your peace, study my word which has gone forth among the children of men, and also study my word which shall come forth among the children of men, or that which is now translating, yea, until you have obtained all which I shall grant unto the children of men in this generation, and then shall all things be added thereunto. (D&C 11:20 - 22, Teachings and Commandments 1, JSH part 14, par.15)
Is this in any way related to how Jacob proceeded?
Wherefore, I, Jacob, gave unto them these words as I taught them in the temple, having firstly obtained mine errand from the Lord. For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph, had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people by the hand of Nephi. And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence. Wherefore, by laboring with our mights, their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise, their blood would come upon our garments and we would not be found spotless at the last day. (Jacob 1:17 - 19, NC Jacob 1 par. 4)
Notice that Jacob had been ordained a priest by his brother Nephi but he did not go forth to preach unto the people until he received his errand from the Lord.
The Lord gave him the words to speak.
The Lord sent him. Jacob was not taking his own initiative to preach.
Did this happen often in the Book of Mormon?
What did the Lord promise Hyrum?
What does it mean to have the power of God unto the convincing of men?
Is this in any way similar to what Nephi son of Nephi experienced in the book of 3 Nephi?
And it came to pass that Nephi, having been visited by angels, and also by the voice of the Lord, therefore having seen angels, and being eyewitness, and having had power given unto him, that he might know concerning the ministry of Christ, and also being eyewitness to their quick return from righteousness unto their wickedness and abominations, therefore being grieved for the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds, went forth among them in that same year and began to testify boldly repentance and remission of sins through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. And he did minister many things unto them, and all of them cannot be written, and a part of them would not suffice; therefore, they are not written in this book. And Nephi did minister with power and with great authority. And it came to pass that they were angry with him, even because he had greater power than they, for it were not possible that they could disbelieve his words. For so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ that angels did minister unto him daily, and in the name of Jesus did he cast out devils and unclean spirits; and even his brother did he raise from the dead, after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people. And the people saw it and did witness of it and were angry with him because of his power; and he did also do many more miracles in the sight of the people in the name of Jesus. (3 Nephi 7:15 - 18, NC 3 Nephi 3 pars. 9 - 10)
Notice that Nephi's words were so powerful that the people could not disbelieve him.
Is it a serious matter to speak the words of the Lord or to speak in His name and declare that you are speaking on His behalf?
What happens if an individual seeks to claim that they are speaking the words of the Lord for the Lord when He has not sent them?
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. (Exodus 20:7, OC Exodus 12 par. 6)
Speaking in the name of the Lord when He has not given you an errand is so serious that He forbade it in the Ten Commandments.
And again, verily I say unto you, let those who desire in their hearts, in meekness, to warn sinners to repentance, let them be ordained unto this power. For this is a day of warning and not a day of many words, for I the Lord am not to be mocked in the last days. Behold, I am from above, and my power lies beneath. I am over all, and in all, and through all, and search all things, and the day comes that all things shall be subject unto me. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ. Wherefore, let all men beware how they take my name in their lips, for behold, verily I say that many there be who are under this condemnation, who use the name of the Lord and use it in vain, having not authority. Wherefore, let the church repent of their sins and I the Lord will own them, otherwise they shall be cut off. Remember that that which comes from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care and by constraint of the spirit, and in this there is no condemnation. And you receive the spirit through prayer; wherefore, without this there remains condemnation. Let my servants Joseph Smith Jr. and Sidney Rigdon seek them a home, as they are taught through prayer by the spirit. These things remain to overcome through patience, that such may receive a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, otherwise a greater condemnation, Amen. (D&C 63:57 - 63, T&C 50 pars. 14 - 15)
The Lord declared that those who use His name in vain having not authority (He did not send them with a message) would be cut off if they did not repent.
Knowing this, does this make Nephi and his brothers' experience with Ishmael and his family an important experience?
Did the Lord send Nephi and his brothers on an errand to Ishmael and his household?
Did the Lord loose their tongues so that they could speak the words of the Lord with the power of God unto the convincing of men?
What was the result?
Was there a responsibility on the part of Ishmael and his family to receive the words of the Lord?
How does this relate to the Lord's declaration that His sheep hear His voice?
There are sooo many questions to cover with this experience.
The Prophet Joseph stated that all things had in the beginning at the time of Adam could not be restored by Christ during His advent to the world in the meridian of time because the sons of Levi were too prejudiced.
The Lord had the power to restore the hearts of the children to the Fathers (to gather them even as a hen gathereth her chicks, to give them what they needed to become sons and daughters of God, to re-establish the family of God again on the earth) but the potential children would not receive it; they would not be gathered.
Does that mean that what the Lord established at the time of His life in order to begin to preach to the Gentiles was a complete restoration?
If we have a New Testament church do we have a complete restoration of everything reconing back to the beginning at the time of Adam?
During the time of Adam do we have individuals becoming sons and daughters of God?
Do we have the establishment of the family of God on the earth?
Do we have, in a New Testament church, everything that is necessary to produce fruit worthy of preservation; sons and daughters of God; a restoration of the family of God on the earth?
Do the teachings of the Book of Mormon have more power to produce sons and daughters of God than the teachings of a New Testament church?
From what the Lord is doing with Lehi and Ishmael and their families here and with all of the other transplantings it appears that the appearance of fruit worthy of preservation in the vineyard is of utmost importance to the Lord.
That is the crux of the prophecy of Zenos that spans the history of the world; preserving good fruit.
In our study group we have discussed what it means to speak in the name of the Lord.
This experience of returning for Ishmael and his family appears to be an example of this.
What did this look like?
How is it that Nephi and his brothers gained favor in the sight of Ishmael?
What does it mean to speak the words of the Lord?
Is that the same or related to speaking in His name?
Are there any examples of this that might be similar found in scripture?
What about Ammon and his brothers with the Lamanites?
Did they gain favor with the Lamanites and speak the words of the Lord to them?
What was the result?
What is it that allows a person's words to be convincing when speaking of Christ or inviting to follow Christ?
This is what the Lord told Hyrum in May 1829 when Hyrum desired to go out and preach concerning all that the Lord was then rolling out.
Behold, this is your work: to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind, and strength. Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosened. Then, if you desire, you shall have my spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men. But now hold your peace, study my word which has gone forth among the children of men, and also study my word which shall come forth among the children of men, or that which is now translating, yea, until you have obtained all which I shall grant unto the children of men in this generation, and then shall all things be added thereunto. (D&C 11:20 - 22, Teachings and Commandments 1, JSH part 14, par.15)
Is this in any way related to how Jacob proceeded?
Wherefore, I, Jacob, gave unto them these words as I taught them in the temple, having firstly obtained mine errand from the Lord. For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph, had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people by the hand of Nephi. And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence. Wherefore, by laboring with our mights, their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise, their blood would come upon our garments and we would not be found spotless at the last day. (Jacob 1:17 - 19, NC Jacob 1 par. 4)
Notice that Jacob had been ordained a priest by his brother Nephi but he did not go forth to preach unto the people until he received his errand from the Lord.
The Lord gave him the words to speak.
The Lord sent him. Jacob was not taking his own initiative to preach.
Did this happen often in the Book of Mormon?
What did the Lord promise Hyrum?
What does it mean to have the power of God unto the convincing of men?
Is this in any way similar to what Nephi son of Nephi experienced in the book of 3 Nephi?
And it came to pass that Nephi, having been visited by angels, and also by the voice of the Lord, therefore having seen angels, and being eyewitness, and having had power given unto him, that he might know concerning the ministry of Christ, and also being eyewitness to their quick return from righteousness unto their wickedness and abominations, therefore being grieved for the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds, went forth among them in that same year and began to testify boldly repentance and remission of sins through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. And he did minister many things unto them, and all of them cannot be written, and a part of them would not suffice; therefore, they are not written in this book. And Nephi did minister with power and with great authority. And it came to pass that they were angry with him, even because he had greater power than they, for it were not possible that they could disbelieve his words. For so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ that angels did minister unto him daily, and in the name of Jesus did he cast out devils and unclean spirits; and even his brother did he raise from the dead, after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people. And the people saw it and did witness of it and were angry with him because of his power; and he did also do many more miracles in the sight of the people in the name of Jesus. (3 Nephi 7:15 - 18, NC 3 Nephi 3 pars. 9 - 10)
Notice that Nephi's words were so powerful that the people could not disbelieve him.
Is it a serious matter to speak the words of the Lord or to speak in His name and declare that you are speaking on His behalf?
What happens if an individual seeks to claim that they are speaking the words of the Lord for the Lord when He has not sent them?
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. (Exodus 20:7, OC Exodus 12 par. 6)
Speaking in the name of the Lord when He has not given you an errand is so serious that He forbade it in the Ten Commandments.
And again, verily I say unto you, let those who desire in their hearts, in meekness, to warn sinners to repentance, let them be ordained unto this power. For this is a day of warning and not a day of many words, for I the Lord am not to be mocked in the last days. Behold, I am from above, and my power lies beneath. I am over all, and in all, and through all, and search all things, and the day comes that all things shall be subject unto me. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ. Wherefore, let all men beware how they take my name in their lips, for behold, verily I say that many there be who are under this condemnation, who use the name of the Lord and use it in vain, having not authority. Wherefore, let the church repent of their sins and I the Lord will own them, otherwise they shall be cut off. Remember that that which comes from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care and by constraint of the spirit, and in this there is no condemnation. And you receive the spirit through prayer; wherefore, without this there remains condemnation. Let my servants Joseph Smith Jr. and Sidney Rigdon seek them a home, as they are taught through prayer by the spirit. These things remain to overcome through patience, that such may receive a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, otherwise a greater condemnation, Amen. (D&C 63:57 - 63, T&C 50 pars. 14 - 15)
The Lord declared that those who use His name in vain having not authority (He did not send them with a message) would be cut off if they did not repent.
Knowing this, does this make Nephi and his brothers' experience with Ishmael and his family an important experience?
Did the Lord send Nephi and his brothers on an errand to Ishmael and his household?
Did the Lord loose their tongues so that they could speak the words of the Lord with the power of God unto the convincing of men?
What was the result?
Was there a responsibility on the part of Ishmael and his family to receive the words of the Lord?
How does this relate to the Lord's declaration that His sheep hear His voice?
There are sooo many questions to cover with this experience.
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