"For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still." 2 Nephi 19:21 taken from the writings of IsaiahI have noticed that Isaiah makes this statement several times in a short section of verses. At first it doesn't make any sense. How can Jesus be angry, but still have a hand stretched out to us? In the scriptures we often have read of the Lord's outstretched hand or arm. I picture those outstretched arms reaching out to me telling me that I am good, that I can do better and that He is there to help me and walk beside me, if I choose Him.
In researching Isaiah's prophecies, I have learned that a hand is sometimes extended because he's angry but then at the same time a hand of mercy can be given. No matter what, the hand is always extended in love. I feel a sense that Heavenly Father and Jesus are reaching for us even when we are turning away from them.
I don't think 'anger' in this context is the type of anger that we understand. I picture the anger in a different way. Maybe angry because He can't be allowed to be a push-over. Jesus went thru the gauntlet for us here on earth. He performed his part perfectly. He is holding up his end of the covenant. We are the ones that keep forgetting our end of it.
I love that Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation includes contingency plans and detours that will help us get back to him. If we mess up at Point A, we can turn and get right back on the road to recovery, as it were. At some point however, these detours and helping hands will be finished. We will have had all the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th chances that we get.
The Lord's hand will soon rise in power and authority. Jesus is our advocate. His hand is stretched out in mercy to us as a continuing covenant of peace, if we have held up our end of the covenant. If not...I don't want to be on the end of the anger that will not be turned away.
