Isaiah 63

“Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling 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.

“Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?” 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.

“I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought…” The line’s distinctive content terms include fury, help, looked. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength…” The line’s distinctive content terms include anger, drunk, earth. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD , and the praises of the LORD , according to all that the LORD hath…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he…” The line’s distinctive content terms include afflicted, affliction, angel. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.” The verse names Spirit rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea…” 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.

“That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an…” 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.

“That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?” 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.

“As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to…” The verse names Spirit rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy…” 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.

“Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD , art our…” Naming Abraham and Doubtless keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“O LORD , why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’…” 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 people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.” The line’s distinctive content terms include adversaries, holiness, little. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.” The line’s distinctive content terms include barest, name, rule. Its relationship to verses 18 shows what work it does in this passage.