Isaiah 44

“Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:” Naming Israel and Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my…” Naming Fear and Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“One shall say, I am the LORD’s ; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and…” 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.

“Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses…” 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.

“They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?” 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.

“Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength…” The line’s distinctive content terms include strength, worketh, arms. Its relationship to verses 11 and 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out…” The line’s distinctive content terms include marketh, beauty, carpenter. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of…” The line’s distinctive content terms include cedars, cypress, forest. Its relationship to verses 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he…” Naming Aha keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and…” Naming Deliver keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they…” The line’s distinctive content terms include eyes, hearts, known. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in…” 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.

“He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a…” 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.

“Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou…” Naming Israel and Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have…” The line’s distinctive content terms include cloud, blotted, redeemed. Its relationship to verses 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye…” Naming Israel and Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thus saith the LORD , thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that…” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, abroad, earth. Its relationship to verses 23 and 25 shows what work it does in this passage.

“That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their…” The line’s distinctive content terms include maketh, backward, diviners. Its relationship to verses 24 and 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

“That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:” The line’s distinctive content terms include deep, rivers. Its relationship to verses 26 and 28 shows what work it does in this passage.

“That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.