These two verses set up the conflict. First, while Sherem does preach to the people, he makes a particular target of Jacob. He knows that Jacob “had faith in Christ who should come” and therefore sought him out. As noted with the earlier verses, the issue is faith in Christ for a people who follow the law of Moses. That will be the most important issue.
The idea that Sherem is an outsider is highlighted by the idea that “he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people.” There are two ways to understand that phrase. One is that he came from the outside and the Nephite language was a second language for him. In the Mesoamerican setting, this would be quite possible. The second reading is that Sherem was simply fluent and proficient in the language. Perhaps that idea is strengthened by the fact that he could use “much flattery, and much power of speech”—although that would be possible if he were truly fluent in his second language.
Most importantly, however, Jacob notes that Sherem has to seek him out. Sherem knows about Jacob, but does not appear to know who he is, or where he lives. In a smaller city, where Jacob had been a principal priest and teacher, it would be surprising that a long-time resident would not have known Jacob and where to find him.