Isaiah 22

“The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?” 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.

“Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which…” Naming All keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.” Naming Elam and Kir keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest.” Naming Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with…” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die…” 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 GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and…” Naming Shebna keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him…” 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, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee.” The line’s distinctive content terms include captivity, carry, cover. Its relationship to verses 16 and 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.