Jacob 7

Jacob 7

In Chapter 7, Jacob has an encounter with an “Anti-Christ” named Sherem who is preaching among the people and leading them away from a belief in Christ. Does this description sound familiar of some people in our day?

 2 And it came to pass that [Sherem] began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ. And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this he did that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ.

 4 And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil.

Jacob and Sherem get into a debate, initiated by Sherem. I think this exchange is one of the most interesting and important:

 10 And I said unto him: Believest thou the scriptures? And he said, Yea.

 11 And I said unto him: Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ. Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ.

The scriptures truly do testify of Christ!
Eventually Sherem demands of Jacob a “sign” that there is a Christ. Oh boy, he was asking for it!

14 And I said unto him: What am I that I should tempt God to show unto thee a sign in the thing which thou knowest to be true? Yet thou wilt deny it, because thou art of the devil. Nevertheless, not my will be done; but if God shall smite thee, let that be a sign unto thee that he has power, both in heaven and in earth; and also, that Christ shall come. And thy will, O Lord, be done, and not mine.

Sherem is immediately overcome by the power of God and falls to the earth. He is taken care of for a few days—long enough for him to regain enough strength to proclaim to the public that he spread lies and he was wrong—and then he dies. And peace is restored to the land again.