“in that day that they shall rebel…”
-words
indicate a future tense. Laman and
Lemuel had not at this point rejected the Lord.
Yes, they were on the road, but the way was, and would still be, open
for their change and form them to make correct choices.
“I will curse
them even with a sore curse”
-on first
reading this sounds like a harsh God. We
can never forget that he is a just God.
He cannot overlook the consequence of laws. To curse is perhaps the best antonym of to
bless. The absence of blessings is
sometimes a heavy curse. He simply removes
his prospering and/or protecting hand and allows eternal consequences to take
effect. Those who rebel against God are
simply putting distance between them and Him.
They leave him. They leave the
source of all blessings, progress and power.
Of course Laman and Lemuel will not prosper against Nephi. Of course their power will fall desperately
short of the source of power Nephi is tapped into.
-in
effect God is simply assuring Nephi that he will honor the consequences of
eternal law. When they rebel, Laman and
Lemuel will experience the curse of leaving the prospering power of God. They will not, they cannot have power of
Nephi so long as he remains associated with God.
“thy seed
except they shall rebel against me also.”
-Nephi’s
diligent observance of God’s will was beyond reproach. Most likely he was self-aware of this
fact. His concern, in light of these
warnings from the Lord, must have centered, then, on what to do to help his
children and future posterity avoid rebellion.
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