Critical to understanding the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament is a basic understanding of the House of Israel: what the House of Israel is, how the House of Israel came to be, and what covenants God made with the House of Israel. In fact, Isaiah assumes that all those who read his words know and understand the scriptural Old Testament history at least up until the time of his writings. If that wasn’t enough, Isaiah was a master of Hebrew poetic structures. Why paraphrase Isaiah for modern readers? Two reasons. First, Isaiah loved the LORD, knew Him, and used every ounce of his skill and all of his life to put forth the message of his Master. And the LORD loved Isaiah. Christ quoted Isaiah more than any of His other prophets. To better understand the mission of the Savior of the world, we must come to understand Isaiah’s words. Second, Isaiah loved the House of Israel and his words of reprimand, promises, and hope are bound up in that love. His charity comes forth in some of the greatest literary lines ever written—if you look for them. And now, ISAIAH PARAPHRASED…