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There are at least three virtues to the symbolic imagery employed by Isaiah (and all the Lord's prophets).
First, imagery invites the reader to imaginatively participate in the text by mentally picturing the objects being applied. In this way, the abstract truths of eternity can be more readily grasped and applied to daily life. Also, the added contemplation involved in understanding scriptural imagery increases our opportunities of receiving revelation because we are more in tune with spiritual things. Elder Oaks has said, 'As a source of knowledge, the scriptures are not the ultimate but the penultimate. The ultimate knowledge comes by revelation. A study of the scriptures enables men and women to receive revelations. because scripture reading put us in tune with the Spirit of the Lord' (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, 'Scripture Reading and Revelation,' to BYU Studies Academy, 29 January 1993, 3-4).
Second, notwithstanding the variety of symbols in scripture, there exists one common and unifying denominator. All of the images point in some fashion to the redeeming work of the Lord, or, oppositely, to the damning craftiness of the Adversary. A noted biblical scholar has observed that 'each apocalyptic or idealized image in the Bible has a demonic counterpart or contrast' (Northrup Frye, The Great Code, 1982, 145, 176).Immediately preceding the lengthy inclusion of Isaiah's writings into his own writings, the Nephite prophet Jacob remarks that 'all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him' (2 Nephi 11:4). Also, the Lord told Adam that 'all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me' (Moses 6:63).
Third, many of the scriptural images have remarkable relevance to all readers due to their universal nature. These mental object lessons utilize ordinary objects and everyday experiences so that the lesson may be perceived regardless of the reader's age, gender, culture, or geography. Who is not acquainted with rocks, trees, rivers, mountains, paths and pits?Share
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