2 Nephi 2:1 - 2:5
2 Nephi 2:1 And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art my firstborn in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren.
Now Lehi addresses his first born son in the wilderness. Lehi recognized that he has suffered much because to the rebelliousness of his older brothers. His childhood as not been as pleasant as it should have been had he had loving and kind brothers.
2 Nephi 2:2 Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
Lehi sees that his son Jacob has known the goodness and how the Lord guides his obedient children. And like Joseph Smith, his afflictions are for his development. He readily sees that his life is under the Lord direction and just needs to submit to his direction and he will come out okay.
2 Nephi 2:3 Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi; and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God. Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou hast beheld that in the fulness of time he cometh to bring salvation unto men.
Because of Jacob’s faithfulness, he will be blessed and if he will follow Nephi's direction he will not go wrong. Jacob life as Lehi sees it will be one of service.
Lehi further sees that Jacob will be given eternal life because of his personal righteousness. Lehi sites as evidenced the fact that Jacob has seen in vision the mortal life of the Savior. Not sure how old Jacob is when Lehi gives him his final blessing but Jacob must have been in his early teens to have received this vision. Maybe he was about Nephi’s age when he did. Can't help but wonder how this is effecting the older brothers. More evidence of their wickedness which they can't be very happy about being reminded again about that.
2 Nephi 2:4 And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.
Because Jacob saw these events in Jesus’ life he will receive the same blessings that the Savior will give to people He will interact with during His mortal ministry. The blessings are always the same. They have never changed in how they are given or to what type of people are to receive them. The types of blessing have never change in format or quality. And what’s more they have always been free. What is required to earn them cost not one red cent.
2 Nephi 2:5 And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.
Lehi tells Jacob that men know enough from their consciences what is right and what is wrong. Man has no excuse to say he did not know his actions were wrong because they have been taught by the spirit of Christ although they might not perceive that they have received such instruction.
His conscience is not enough to get him back to God’s presence. Their fallen state has cut them off from any influence from their Father in Heaven. Their fate, if nothing is done, is to remain in their fallen state forever and therefore be miserable forever. Being out of God’s presence is not pleasant and will never be pleasant.
