Isaiah 45

“Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bars, brass, break. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“I am the LORD , and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD , and…” The line’s distinctive content terms include know, LORD, rising. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” The line’s distinctive content terms include create, darkness, evil. Its relationship to verses 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring…” Naming Drop keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say…” 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.

“Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?” 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 , the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my…” 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 labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I…” Naming Jacob and Seek keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set…” Naming Assemble keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath…” 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.

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Naming Look keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.