Isaiah 43

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have…” Naming Fear and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for…” Naming Since keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;” Naming Fear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the…” Naming Give and Keep keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.” Naming Bring keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD , and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“I, even I, am the LORD ; and beside me there is no saviour.” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, saviour. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Thus saith the LORD , your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“I am the LORD , your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Thus saith the LORD , which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, maketh, mighty. Its relationship to verses 15 and 17 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” Naming Remember keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.” Naming Israel and Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” The line’s distinctive content terms include blotteth, remember, sake. Its relationship to verses 24 and 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me.” Naming Thy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.