Isaiah Speaks to Modern Times

Here is an exciting and thoroughly readable book which provides a verse-by-verse commentary on Isaiah, one of the most important books in the Bible. Hundreds of passages which have previously seemed obscure or confusing are treated with remarkable clarity and insight in this book.

Part I presents the incredible story of Isaiah himself. The reader not only becomes acquainted with the sensitive and scintillating personality of this prophet, but also discovers the unfolding of 2,700 years of kaleidoscopic future history as Isaiah saw it in prophetic vision.

Part II of this book makes a most unique contribution by presenting for the first time in this much detail, a comprehensive verse-by-verse commentary on the entire book of Isaiah. The reader may be surprised to learn how much of Isaiah's writings were devoted to prophecies concerning our day.
After reading the text of this great prophet's discourses, we can literally say "Isaiah Speaks to Modern Times."

This book is currently OUT OF PRINT; however, an electronic version is available on
The Complete Works of W. Cleon Skousen on CD-ROM.

Excerpt from "Isaiah Speaks to Modern Times":

Why is Isaiah So Difficult to Read?

The rich and colorful eloquence of Isaiah makes his writings a brilliant literary treasure, but when it comes to the reader's comprehension of his book, authorities agree that the record of Isaiah is one of the most difficult books in the entire Bible. Why is this so?

In the first place, Isaiah, like all of the prophets, was under certain divine restrictions. For instance, it is obvious that Isaiah deliberately obscured the full meaning in many of his writings. The Lord cannot reveal certain details concerning the future to many of his children without debilitating their free agency and thereby destroying the learning process of the second estate. However, to his righteous servants who can endure it, he disseminates this knowledge either obscurely or in parable form, and then gives them a "key" to unlock the full meaning. Jesus emphasized that this frustrating obscurity is by heavenly design. It is intended to give knowledge to those it will help, but withhold it from those it will hurt. Here is the way he explained it to his disciples: "Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand."

This careful discrimination -- giving to man only the quantity and quality of spiritual food he is capable of digesting -- is repeatedly emphasized by Paul. Said he: "For every one that useth milk is unskillful [as yet] in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe [in the kingdom]. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." When Paul was writing to the new converts in Corinth, he had no compunction about telling them they were still "babes in Christ," capable of receiving nothing but the milk of the Gospel. Said he: "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual [mature Saints], but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able."

Therefore, many of the writings of Isaiah were deliberately made obscure for those who are "not able to bear it." As we shall see in Nephi's commentary, Isaiah's writings require a "key" in order to be fully comprehended. The reader will immediately appreciate the priceless value of this key as we study Isaiah in detail. Were it not for modern revelation, we would be as much in the dark on Isaiah as everyone else.