A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
The Servant is Christ, upheld and chosen by God, in whom He delights and whom He has anointed with His Spirit and sent with supreme authority. The damaged stalk and the faintly burning wick are weak and failing people, wounded and nearly broken, with dim and nearly spent faith, hope and courage. He does not crush or abandon the bruised nor snuff out the faint spark, but spares, heals, uplifts and restores them in soul and body as compassionate Saviour and mighty Healer. He carries out this work quietly and humbly, without loud display or forcing allegiance, yet He does not fail or lose heart until He has set justice in the earth. To bring forth judgment unto truth is to establish justice and vindicate righteousness by the Holy Spirit so that truth prevails, and therefore all who come to Him in humble trust will be kept, forgiven, strengthened and given power when they have no might.
Servant and Prophetic Setting
The Servant of the verse is Christ, God's upheld, chosen and elect Servant in whom He delights, upon whom He has put His Spirit, anointed for a gentle and restoring mission to the weak and failing without crushing or extinguishing them, bringing justice faithfully and truly and persevering without failing or losing heart until it is established on earth. He came at infinite sacrifice as the great Physician to help human weakness and to bring soul and body restoration to those under the curse of transgression, sparing weakness instead of consuming or despising it, ministering to those who shall be heirs of salvation and encamping strength around them. Because He is truth personified His words and works in humanity are the example for all His followers, and His authority is supreme and His power invincible so His words must not be disregarded. He is God's Spirit-endowed and Spirit-empowered Servant, the heaven-appointed Teacher who is the Son of the Infinite God.
He brings judgment to the Gentiles and to the nations, brings it forth unto truth, sets and establishes judgment in the earth, and the isles and distant lands wait for His law. As the One called in righteousness He is a covenant of the people and a light to the Gentiles to open blind eyes and bring prisoners out of prison and darkness, sent by God the Lord who created the heavens and earth and gives breath and spirit to all and who will not give His glory to another. He is the Messenger of the Covenant, the Sun of Righteousness, and the light to the Gentiles, and He will persevere until justice is set in the earth and will establish judgment in truth. The same work declares the work to be carried on by the people of God.
He works quietly without crying, lifting up, or causing His voice to be heard in the street, without loud display, excitement, theatrical methods, contention, or needless expense. Laying aside royal display He works in lowliness and humility by earnest, persevering personal labor in the highways and byways, dealing gently with weak and failing, afflicted and bruised souls while bringing forth judgment unto truth to the Gentiles until He sets judgment in the earth. He does not seek to make a great display, does not undertake work calling for a large outlay of money, does not sanction self-exaltation, and does not honor those who seek to honor themselves, calling all to empty self of self-importance, receive His grace, be sanctified through belief of the truth, and receive His meekness. This quiet, tender dealing without destroying the weak and dim and without failing or becoming discouraged is what God is doing for His people through Christ.
The passage belongs to God's revelation of His purpose for His people and directs them to God's wisdom rather than finite human wisdom, and it is to be studied prayerfully. This scripture is to be diligently studied as the true science of redeeming grace, to be treasured above gold and silver, and those who stand firmly on the Word of God will have power against the false human science that confuses and deceives minds and turns truth into nothingness. Isaiah 42 is to be studied in connection with Isaiah 40 and 2 Peter to give understanding of the deeply spiritual work to be carried forward and the thorough reformation to be led by men of clear understanding worked by the Holy Spirit, with no haphazard work.
The chapter foretells the work of presenting the warning message to the world and giving people the reason for this faith, especially through camp meetings that supply the information they desire. That work requires money for the presentation of truth, the establishment of sanitariums in different parts of the world as an educating, reforming power to restore in people the moral image of God, the conversion of men through knowledge of the Word so they use their means and ability to extend knowledge of the truth, and labor to arouse slumbering senses to see how far they have departed from the Lord's ordinances by worldly policy and transgression against the law of God.
Bruised Reed Smoking Flax
The bruised reed is what is damaged, wounded, feeble, fallen, helpless and nearly broken, and the smoking flax is what is faintly burning, dim, nearly spent and nearly extinguished. They are weak and failing people, faint hope and faith and courage, and discouraged, afflicted and distressed souls whose strength and hope are nearly gone. Christ deals with such fragility without destroying it, preserving what remains faint rather than crushing or putting it out.
Human beings in themselves are fragile and unreliable like bruised reeds, and confidence must be placed in God rather than human strength. To be like a bruised reed is to be crushed and heartbroken for months under a burden, crippled and silenced by continual fear. It is utter feebleness unable to leave the room or converse or exercise faith for oneself, even expecting death. It is trembling in oneself and unable to speak or write worthily of salvation and the atoning sacrifice, lest it be belittled with cheap words, so that one dares not run ahead but depends wholly on the Lord Jesus to lead and do His own work.
The bruised reed also pictures the Son of God Himself in Gethsemane, bowed in grief and brought low like a reed bent by a storm. He was overwhelmed in human agony and suffering, having always felt human sorrow and sought to relieve it. Yet He chose to drink the cup and suffer for guilty humanity rather than leave people to perish in sin.
Bringing forth judgment unto truth means bringing judgment into accord with truth, establishing justice and truth, and leading judgment to victory. It is the vindication of righteousness and truth by the Holy Spirit so that they prevail. God protects this mission from human hatred inspired by Satan, so it cannot thwart the plan of salvation. Even one desire reaching toward the light is given opportunity to remain near Christ and encounter His unselfish love, so that if the heart opens, divine grace can overcome selfishness. Those who fall all broken upon Jesus without reserve, looking away from own merits and trusting wholly in His merits and righteousness and taking God at His word, will live and stand in the strength of the Mighty One till He sends forth judgment unto victory, for His word pledges present help in every time of need.
Gentle Mission That Perseveres
He does not break, crush, consume, despise or abandon what is bruised, nor quench, extinguish or destroy what is faintly burning, but spares weakness instead of crushing it and preserves, ministers to, heals, uplifts and restores the fallen, faint, weak and helpless in soul and body. He came at infinite sacrifice as the great Physician, the compassionate Saviour and the mighty Healer to help human weakness, making suffering humanity's interests His own and bringing to those under the curse of transgression the needful restoration of soul and body. He ministers to those who shall be heirs of salvation, encamps strength around them, gives sympathy to every needy soul so that every sufferer from any cause appeals to pity and meets with personal interest, mercy, love and compassion, and deals tenderly with the afflicted and weak by healing all manner of sickness and disease and teaching the way of life. Israel had been brought near to destruction and nearly consumed by sin and affliction, yet in repentance and humility relying on God's mercy and promises He would not leave His people to the cruel power of their enemies but would preserve and restore them through His mercy. A heart that beats in union with His great heart of love and has the mind of Christ responds the same way, never saying this does not concern me and never acting the part of the elder brother, but meeting misery and repentance not with censure, reproach, suspicion, distrust and jealousy but with compassion and sympathy, going out in search of the lost sheep and helping with human agents every soul that attempts to retrace its wanderings and return to God.
He carries out His mission without self-assertion, without forcing attention or allegiance, without using any of the means men employ to win allegiance or command homage, for the homage the world gives to position, wealth or talent was foreign to Him as the Son of man. He does not cry nor lift up nor cause His voice to be heard in the street in contention, does not work with loud display or excitement, theatrical methods or needless expense, does not seek to make a great display, to undertake work calling for large outlay of money, to sanction self-exaltation or to honor those who seek to honor themselves, and does not seek human praise, applause or display. Laying aside royal display He works in lowliness and humility by earnest, persevering personal labor in the highways and byways, dealing gently with weak and failing souls while bringing forth judgment unto truth to the Gentiles until He sets judgment in the earth. Like daylight He gradually dispels darkness and awakens life without dazzling or overpowering, bringing truth quietly and gently without loud controversy, ostentatious worship, noisy contention, showy worship or acts meant to win applause, so that the wonder of the careless crowd jarred upon His spirit. This scripture given centuries before His birth was fulfilled in Him and is to be diligently studied as the true science of redeeming grace, to be treasured above gold and silver, calling all to empty self of self-importance, receive His grace and meekness and be sanctified through belief of the truth, so that those who stand firmly on the Word of God will have power against the false human science that confuses and deceives minds and turns truth into nothingness.
He does not fail, lose heart or become discouraged, but brings judgment to truth and continues His work faithfully and truly without crushing the bruised or extinguishing what is barely burning, until justice is established on earth. Empowered by God's Spirit as the Spirit-anointed Servant, He deals gently with the weak, wounded and discouraged and with hope, faith and strength nearly spent or gone, faithfully bringing judgment to truth and persisting until judgment is established on earth. His Spirit-filled work for the Gentiles joins teaching and healing ministry with steadfastness in establishing what is right, and the nations await His law. God upholds, shelters and encamps strength around Him and His work so that human hatred inspired by Satan cannot thwart the plan of salvation, and He carries it forward until it is established in the earth.
He unites the majesty of an omnipotent King with the gentleness and tenderness of a caretaking shepherd who deals gently and tenderly with the weak and failing rather than destroying what is bruised or faint, while bringing judgment into accord with truth. His kingdom comes not with observation but by the gentleness of the inspiration of His word and by the operation of His Spirit in the soul, presenting His work before the world in distinct, holy, sacred lines. The set time to favor Zion will soon come, and God has provided men and means so He will not leave His people to shame but will accomplish His work, and His work will move just as He has ordained it to move. No man is to interpose between his fellow men and their God to lead them into paths not cast up for the ransomed, and God will judge anyone who does so, since such human interference has kept His work in many places from advancing as far as it should.
Fulfillment in Christ's Life
Spoken centuries before His birth, the prophecy was fulfilled in Him as Son of man, for He lived without self-assertion and without using the means men employ to win allegiance or command homage. The homage the world gives to position, wealth, or talent was foreign to Him, and the wonder of the careless crowd jarred upon His spirit. It was fulfilled when He withdrew from those plotting against Him, continued healing the multitudes, and did not seek public acclaim. He treated those spiritually weak or nearly extinguished with gentleness, not crushing the bruised nor putting out the faintly burning, and He showed mercy to the Samaritans despite their rejection so that they later welcomed the gospel messengers. In this way He brought judgment to the nations and to truth, led it to victory, so that the nations trust in Him.
His mission was carried out quietly and gently, without seeking attention or forcing allegiance, without loud controversy, ostentatious worship, or actions meant to win applause. Like daylight that gradually dispels darkness and awakens life, His work brought truth without dazzling or overpowering people. He would not raise His voice in the street in noisy contention over doctrine, in prayer to be heard by men, in joyful mirth, or to exalt Himself and gain applause and flattery. He withdrew His disciples from the noise and confusion of the busy city to retired places suited to lessons of humility, piety, and virtue, shunned human praise, and preferred solitude and peaceful retirement to the noise of mortal life. His voice was heard in earnest, prevailing intercession to His Father in private, choosing the lonely mountain and frequently spending whole nights in prayer with strong cries and tears for strength to sustain Him under temptation and to accomplish salvation, then quietly resuming by day His work of mercy and disinterested benevolence. His quiet, humble life of mercy and service stands in marked contrast to resentful, unforgiving, proud, haughty, bigoted leaders whose voices were heard in the streets in self-exaltation, in contention over doctrine, in public prayers in synagogues and street corners to be seen, and in public acts of charity to call attention to themselves.
His mission beginning at His advent reaches to its final phase in the closing work of history. As God's upheld, chosen Servant in whom He delights and on whom He has put His Spirit, He brings judgment to the Gentiles and brings it forth to truth without crying or public outcry in the streets, dealing tenderly with the damaged and faintly burning rather than destroying them, and not failing nor growing discouraged until judgment is set in the earth and the isles wait for His law. He is the One called in righteousness to be a covenant of the people and a light to the Gentiles to open blind eyes and bring prisoners out of prison and darkness, sent by God the Lord who created the heavens and earth and gives breath and spirit to all and who will not give His glory to another. He is the promised Messenger of the Covenant and the coming Sun of Righteousness, the coming Teacher who would bring God's judgment to the earth and establish His law. He would preach the gospel to the poor, and the nations would look to His light.
He is the Restorer while Satan is the destroyer who has nearly obliterated the image of God in man. All who connect themselves with God will have His moral image restored in them. Whatever has been given as hereditary peculiarity and deficiency of character may be overcome through faith and the imputed righteousness of Christ in the new birth. Depending on phrenology and head-reading to determine character and fitness does much harm by turning souls away from doing the very work God has chosen them for, because God will through His own grace give them fitness to do it and make them successful agents cooperating with divine agencies.
Pattern for His Followers
His ministry is the pattern for all teaching and preaching and publications, including ministry to the poor and downtrodden, the oppressed, tempted and afflicted, the weak and struggling and those fighting destructive appetites, to be carried on with earnestness and respect and with pity and mercy rather than by sensational or harsh methods or by harsh words and indifference that further wound the spirit and quench remaining hope.
The verse defines medical missionary and health work to be accomplished in places like the sanitarium as gentle, meek, uncontentious, humble service that deals tenderly with the afflicted and weak, healing all manner of sickness and disease and teaching the way of life. It is to pray earnestly for healing grace, to join skillful use of natural agencies with heavenly gifts, to labor with diligence to bring the truths of God's Word to bear on hearts, and to read this promise to patients so that many are turned to the Lord in confidence. It refuses to cry or lift up the voice in contention in the street, to seek to make a great display, to undertake work calling for large outlay of money, to sanction self-exaltation, or to honor those who seek to honor themselves. Because He is truth personified He brings forth judgment unto truth to the Gentiles and sets judgment in the earth, calling all to empty self of self-importance, receive His grace, be sanctified through belief of the truth, and receive His meekness. To His heart the very presence of trouble is a call for help, and His new commandment of love acts in behalf of the poor, the sick, the desolate, the outcasts, the discouraged and desponding, the weak, the wretched and the helpless, sparing what is bruised and feeble and continuing that mercy until judgment goes forth unto victory, making the interests of suffering humanity His own so that whatever is done to relieve a sufferer is done for Him.
His servants are to follow this example by showing the same pity and mercy in restoring the wounded, discouraged, erring, struggling and poor who are oppressed by poverty and affliction and near losing hope. They are to seek, save and restore rather than destroy or ruin, to bind up and heal through love, to help and encourage with tender words, kind consideration, practical help and counsel that strengthens hope, to give a chance to improve, and to restore in a meek spirit rather than expose weaknesses to enemies. The faintest trace of courage in a vulnerable person should be carefully preserved, not extinguished, since those who seem coarse or unpromising may still have good impulses and may become loyal followers when reached through patient effort. They must avoid harsh words and hard-heartedness, severity, bitter and contentious words that further wound, bruise, crush, crowd out or quench hope in God, for such words do not mend or restore but can cause dissension and sorrow.
Fathers have in His meek and gentle heart in both outward manner and inward grace the example of tender love, so that they can say His gentleness has made them great. Not breaking and not quenching means enjoying seeing children and youth happy, never speaking an unkind or discourteous word, and even when denunciations of hypocrisy are keen and searching showing no irritated temper. Only divine grace can correct harsh tendencies so parents can deal gently with their children.
True religion consists in practicing the words of the living God, and unless the love of Jesus is kept alive in the soul, piety vanishes as flax before the flame.
The Servant upheld by God, chosen and Spirit-filled, working quietly without crying or causing His voice to be heard in the street, tenderly preserving without breaking or quenching while bringing forth judgment to the Gentiles and bringing forth judgment unto truth until judgment is set in the earth, declares the work to be carried on by the people of God. He unites with His people the majesty of an omnipotent King with the gentleness and tenderness of a caretaking shepherd, and His kingdom comes not with observation but by the gentleness of the inspiration of His word and by the operation of His Spirit in the soul, presenting His work before the world in distinct, holy, sacred lines. The set time to favor Zion will soon come, and God has provided men and means so He will not leave His people to shame but will accomplish His work, and His work will move just as He has ordained it to move. No man is to interpose between his fellow men and their God to lead them into paths not cast up for the ransomed, and God will judge anyone who does so, since such human interference has kept His work in many places from advancing as far as it should.
Assurance for Needy Souls
The verse means that Christ deals gently with those who are weak and nearly discouraged, and will help and save all who come to Him and trust His righteousness. He does not abandon the bruised reed or extinguish the smoking flax in affliction, despair or discouragement, but keeps and sustains them as a tower of strength when they feel cut off from God in the furnace of affliction, unable to see Him or understand His dealings. He receives, blesses, helps and strengthens everyone who looks away from own merits and trusts wholly in His merits and righteousness, forgiving sin and preserving the faintest spark of spiritual life. He gives power to the faint and increases strength to those who have no might, making them obedient children who can claim His promise.
Even the weakest, most struggling soul can live and find hope and sufficiency in God by asking in faith, for persevering prayer is not left unanswered and Christ gives grace to the needy. The helpless soul is to hang upon Christ in humility and lowliness of mind with humble sincerity, with no feeling of being whole with no need of a physician, but to fall on the Rock and be broken. That falling is to be all broken upon Jesus without reserve, wholly the Lord's, subdued at the foot of the cross while taking hold of His strength and taking God at His word, standing in the strength of the Mighty One till He sends forth judgment unto victory. His word is pledged to be a present help in every time of need to those who believe just now.
To be like a bruised reed is to be crushed and heartbroken for months under a burden, crippled and silenced by continual fear, and laying the burden on the Saviour ends that state. In the strength of Jesus the person is no longer like a bruised reed but asserts freedom to act free and do duty in the fear of God. This is because Jesus loves the bruised soul, gave His life for it because He values it, holds it in His choice keeping and will not bruise it further, the life being precious in His sight with His hand stretched out to save and a work for the wounded one to do. Therefore the fearful, distrustful, self-condemning person is to look away from self and its deformed and stunted condition to Jesus, trust fully in the precious Saviour, put away distrust and worry and fear, refuse Satan's lies, recount God's promises, talk faith and love and goodness and power, and lay the hand in His.
The quiet Servant upon whom God has put His Spirit brings judgment to the Gentiles and brings it forth unto truth without crying or causing His voice to be heard in the streets, dealing gently with the weak and dim without destroying them, and He does not fail nor become discouraged till He has set judgment in the earth while the isles wait for His law. This gives the greatest encouragement and assurance to God's loyal commandment-keeping people. It gives every reason to change attitude toward God, to show the world appreciation for the love of Christ, and to produce the fruit of thanksgiving as living evidence that connection with Christ places them on vantage ground.
The Servant is Christ, upheld and chosen by God, in whom He delights and whom He has anointed with His Spirit and sent with supreme authority. The damaged stalk and the faintly burning wick are weak and failing people, wounded and nearly broken, with dim and nearly spent faith, hope and courage. He does not crush or abandon the bruised nor snuff out the faint spark, but spares, heals, uplifts and restores them in soul and body as compassionate Saviour and mighty Healer. He carries out this work quietly and humbly, without loud display or forcing allegiance, yet He does not fail or lose heart until He has set justice in the earth. To bring forth judgment unto truth is to establish justice and vindicate righteousness by the Holy Spirit so that truth prevails, and therefore all who come to Him in humble trust will be kept, forgiven, strengthened and given power when they have no might.
Servant and Prophetic Setting
The Servant of the verse is Christ, God's upheld, chosen and elect Servant in whom He delights, upon whom He has put His Spirit, anointed for a gentle and restoring mission to the weak and failing without crushing or extinguishing them, bringing justice faithfully and truly and persevering without failing or losing heart until it is established on earth. He came at infinite sacrifice as the great Physician to help human weakness and to bring soul and body restoration to those under the curse of transgression, sparing weakness instead of consuming or despising it, ministering to those who shall be heirs of salvation and encamping strength around them. Because He is truth personified His words and works in humanity are the example for all His followers, and His authority is supreme and His power invincible so His words must not be disregarded. He is God's Spirit-endowed and Spirit-empowered Servant, the heaven-appointed Teacher who is the Son of the Infinite God.
He brings judgment to the Gentiles and to the nations, brings it forth unto truth, sets and establishes judgment in the earth, and the isles and distant lands wait for His law. As the One called in righteousness He is a covenant of the people and a light to the Gentiles to open blind eyes and bring prisoners out of prison and darkness, sent by God the Lord who created the heavens and earth and gives breath and spirit to all and who will not give His glory to another. He is the Messenger of the Covenant, the Sun of Righteousness, and the light to the Gentiles, and He will persevere until justice is set in the earth and will establish judgment in truth. The same work declares the work to be carried on by the people of God.
He works quietly without crying, lifting up, or causing His voice to be heard in the street, without loud display, excitement, theatrical methods, contention, or needless expense. Laying aside royal display He works in lowliness and humility by earnest, persevering personal labor in the highways and byways, dealing gently with weak and failing, afflicted and bruised souls while bringing forth judgment unto truth to the Gentiles until He sets judgment in the earth. He does not seek to make a great display, does not undertake work calling for a large outlay of money, does not sanction self-exaltation, and does not honor those who seek to honor themselves, calling all to empty self of self-importance, receive His grace, be sanctified through belief of the truth, and receive His meekness. This quiet, tender dealing without destroying the weak and dim and without failing or becoming discouraged is what God is doing for His people through Christ.
The passage belongs to God's revelation of His purpose for His people and directs them to God's wisdom rather than finite human wisdom, and it is to be studied prayerfully. This scripture is to be diligently studied as the true science of redeeming grace, to be treasured above gold and silver, and those who stand firmly on the Word of God will have power against the false human science that confuses and deceives minds and turns truth into nothingness. Isaiah 42 is to be studied in connection with Isaiah 40 and 2 Peter to give understanding of the deeply spiritual work to be carried forward and the thorough reformation to be led by men of clear understanding worked by the Holy Spirit, with no haphazard work.
The chapter foretells the work of presenting the warning message to the world and giving people the reason for this faith, especially through camp meetings that supply the information they desire. That work requires money for the presentation of truth, the establishment of sanitariums in different parts of the world as an educating, reforming power to restore in people the moral image of God, the conversion of men through knowledge of the Word so they use their means and ability to extend knowledge of the truth, and labor to arouse slumbering senses to see how far they have departed from the Lord's ordinances by worldly policy and transgression against the law of God.
Bruised Reed Smoking Flax
The bruised reed is what is damaged, wounded, feeble, fallen, helpless and nearly broken, and the smoking flax is what is faintly burning, dim, nearly spent and nearly extinguished. They are weak and failing people, faint hope and faith and courage, and discouraged, afflicted and distressed souls whose strength and hope are nearly gone. Christ deals with such fragility without destroying it, preserving what remains faint rather than crushing or putting it out.
Human beings in themselves are fragile and unreliable like bruised reeds, and confidence must be placed in God rather than human strength. To be like a bruised reed is to be crushed and heartbroken for months under a burden, crippled and silenced by continual fear. It is utter feebleness unable to leave the room or converse or exercise faith for oneself, even expecting death. It is trembling in oneself and unable to speak or write worthily of salvation and the atoning sacrifice, lest it be belittled with cheap words, so that one dares not run ahead but depends wholly on the Lord Jesus to lead and do His own work.
The bruised reed also pictures the Son of God Himself in Gethsemane, bowed in grief and brought low like a reed bent by a storm. He was overwhelmed in human agony and suffering, having always felt human sorrow and sought to relieve it. Yet He chose to drink the cup and suffer for guilty humanity rather than leave people to perish in sin.
Bringing forth judgment unto truth means bringing judgment into accord with truth, establishing justice and truth, and leading judgment to victory. It is the vindication of righteousness and truth by the Holy Spirit so that they prevail. God protects this mission from human hatred inspired by Satan, so it cannot thwart the plan of salvation. Even one desire reaching toward the light is given opportunity to remain near Christ and encounter His unselfish love, so that if the heart opens, divine grace can overcome selfishness. Those who fall all broken upon Jesus without reserve, looking away from own merits and trusting wholly in His merits and righteousness and taking God at His word, will live and stand in the strength of the Mighty One till He sends forth judgment unto victory, for His word pledges present help in every time of need.
Gentle Mission That Perseveres
He does not break, crush, consume, despise or abandon what is bruised, nor quench, extinguish or destroy what is faintly burning, but spares weakness instead of crushing it and preserves, ministers to, heals, uplifts and restores the fallen, faint, weak and helpless in soul and body. He came at infinite sacrifice as the great Physician, the compassionate Saviour and the mighty Healer to help human weakness, making suffering humanity's interests His own and bringing to those under the curse of transgression the needful restoration of soul and body. He ministers to those who shall be heirs of salvation, encamps strength around them, gives sympathy to every needy soul so that every sufferer from any cause appeals to pity and meets with personal interest, mercy, love and compassion, and deals tenderly with the afflicted and weak by healing all manner of sickness and disease and teaching the way of life. Israel had been brought near to destruction and nearly consumed by sin and affliction, yet in repentance and humility relying on God's mercy and promises He would not leave His people to the cruel power of their enemies but would preserve and restore them through His mercy. A heart that beats in union with His great heart of love and has the mind of Christ responds the same way, never saying this does not concern me and never acting the part of the elder brother, but meeting misery and repentance not with censure, reproach, suspicion, distrust and jealousy but with compassion and sympathy, going out in search of the lost sheep and helping with human agents every soul that attempts to retrace its wanderings and return to God.
He carries out His mission without self-assertion, without forcing attention or allegiance, without using any of the means men employ to win allegiance or command homage, for the homage the world gives to position, wealth or talent was foreign to Him as the Son of man. He does not cry nor lift up nor cause His voice to be heard in the street in contention, does not work with loud display or excitement, theatrical methods or needless expense, does not seek to make a great display, to undertake work calling for large outlay of money, to sanction self-exaltation or to honor those who seek to honor themselves, and does not seek human praise, applause or display. Laying aside royal display He works in lowliness and humility by earnest, persevering personal labor in the highways and byways, dealing gently with weak and failing souls while bringing forth judgment unto truth to the Gentiles until He sets judgment in the earth. Like daylight He gradually dispels darkness and awakens life without dazzling or overpowering, bringing truth quietly and gently without loud controversy, ostentatious worship, noisy contention, showy worship or acts meant to win applause, so that the wonder of the careless crowd jarred upon His spirit. This scripture given centuries before His birth was fulfilled in Him and is to be diligently studied as the true science of redeeming grace, to be treasured above gold and silver, calling all to empty self of self-importance, receive His grace and meekness and be sanctified through belief of the truth, so that those who stand firmly on the Word of God will have power against the false human science that confuses and deceives minds and turns truth into nothingness.
He does not fail, lose heart or become discouraged, but brings judgment to truth and continues His work faithfully and truly without crushing the bruised or extinguishing what is barely burning, until justice is established on earth. Empowered by God's Spirit as the Spirit-anointed Servant, He deals gently with the weak, wounded and discouraged and with hope, faith and strength nearly spent or gone, faithfully bringing judgment to truth and persisting until judgment is established on earth. His Spirit-filled work for the Gentiles joins teaching and healing ministry with steadfastness in establishing what is right, and the nations await His law. God upholds, shelters and encamps strength around Him and His work so that human hatred inspired by Satan cannot thwart the plan of salvation, and He carries it forward until it is established in the earth.
He unites the majesty of an omnipotent King with the gentleness and tenderness of a caretaking shepherd who deals gently and tenderly with the weak and failing rather than destroying what is bruised or faint, while bringing judgment into accord with truth. His kingdom comes not with observation but by the gentleness of the inspiration of His word and by the operation of His Spirit in the soul, presenting His work before the world in distinct, holy, sacred lines. The set time to favor Zion will soon come, and God has provided men and means so He will not leave His people to shame but will accomplish His work, and His work will move just as He has ordained it to move. No man is to interpose between his fellow men and their God to lead them into paths not cast up for the ransomed, and God will judge anyone who does so, since such human interference has kept His work in many places from advancing as far as it should.
Fulfillment in Christ's Life
Spoken centuries before His birth, the prophecy was fulfilled in Him as Son of man, for He lived without self-assertion and without using the means men employ to win allegiance or command homage. The homage the world gives to position, wealth, or talent was foreign to Him, and the wonder of the careless crowd jarred upon His spirit. It was fulfilled when He withdrew from those plotting against Him, continued healing the multitudes, and did not seek public acclaim. He treated those spiritually weak or nearly extinguished with gentleness, not crushing the bruised nor putting out the faintly burning, and He showed mercy to the Samaritans despite their rejection so that they later welcomed the gospel messengers. In this way He brought judgment to the nations and to truth, led it to victory, so that the nations trust in Him.
His mission was carried out quietly and gently, without seeking attention or forcing allegiance, without loud controversy, ostentatious worship, or actions meant to win applause. Like daylight that gradually dispels darkness and awakens life, His work brought truth without dazzling or overpowering people. He would not raise His voice in the street in noisy contention over doctrine, in prayer to be heard by men, in joyful mirth, or to exalt Himself and gain applause and flattery. He withdrew His disciples from the noise and confusion of the busy city to retired places suited to lessons of humility, piety, and virtue, shunned human praise, and preferred solitude and peaceful retirement to the noise of mortal life. His voice was heard in earnest, prevailing intercession to His Father in private, choosing the lonely mountain and frequently spending whole nights in prayer with strong cries and tears for strength to sustain Him under temptation and to accomplish salvation, then quietly resuming by day His work of mercy and disinterested benevolence. His quiet, humble life of mercy and service stands in marked contrast to resentful, unforgiving, proud, haughty, bigoted leaders whose voices were heard in the streets in self-exaltation, in contention over doctrine, in public prayers in synagogues and street corners to be seen, and in public acts of charity to call attention to themselves.
His mission beginning at His advent reaches to its final phase in the closing work of history. As God's upheld, chosen Servant in whom He delights and on whom He has put His Spirit, He brings judgment to the Gentiles and brings it forth to truth without crying or public outcry in the streets, dealing tenderly with the damaged and faintly burning rather than destroying them, and not failing nor growing discouraged until judgment is set in the earth and the isles wait for His law. He is the One called in righteousness to be a covenant of the people and a light to the Gentiles to open blind eyes and bring prisoners out of prison and darkness, sent by God the Lord who created the heavens and earth and gives breath and spirit to all and who will not give His glory to another. He is the promised Messenger of the Covenant and the coming Sun of Righteousness, the coming Teacher who would bring God's judgment to the earth and establish His law. He would preach the gospel to the poor, and the nations would look to His light.
He is the Restorer while Satan is the destroyer who has nearly obliterated the image of God in man. All who connect themselves with God will have His moral image restored in them. Whatever has been given as hereditary peculiarity and deficiency of character may be overcome through faith and the imputed righteousness of Christ in the new birth. Depending on phrenology and head-reading to determine character and fitness does much harm by turning souls away from doing the very work God has chosen them for, because God will through His own grace give them fitness to do it and make them successful agents cooperating with divine agencies.
Pattern for His Followers
His ministry is the pattern for all teaching and preaching and publications, including ministry to the poor and downtrodden, the oppressed, tempted and afflicted, the weak and struggling and those fighting destructive appetites, to be carried on with earnestness and respect and with pity and mercy rather than by sensational or harsh methods or by harsh words and indifference that further wound the spirit and quench remaining hope.
The verse defines medical missionary and health work to be accomplished in places like the sanitarium as gentle, meek, uncontentious, humble service that deals tenderly with the afflicted and weak, healing all manner of sickness and disease and teaching the way of life. It is to pray earnestly for healing grace, to join skillful use of natural agencies with heavenly gifts, to labor with diligence to bring the truths of God's Word to bear on hearts, and to read this promise to patients so that many are turned to the Lord in confidence. It refuses to cry or lift up the voice in contention in the street, to seek to make a great display, to undertake work calling for large outlay of money, to sanction self-exaltation, or to honor those who seek to honor themselves. Because He is truth personified He brings forth judgment unto truth to the Gentiles and sets judgment in the earth, calling all to empty self of self-importance, receive His grace, be sanctified through belief of the truth, and receive His meekness. To His heart the very presence of trouble is a call for help, and His new commandment of love acts in behalf of the poor, the sick, the desolate, the outcasts, the discouraged and desponding, the weak, the wretched and the helpless, sparing what is bruised and feeble and continuing that mercy until judgment goes forth unto victory, making the interests of suffering humanity His own so that whatever is done to relieve a sufferer is done for Him.
His servants are to follow this example by showing the same pity and mercy in restoring the wounded, discouraged, erring, struggling and poor who are oppressed by poverty and affliction and near losing hope. They are to seek, save and restore rather than destroy or ruin, to bind up and heal through love, to help and encourage with tender words, kind consideration, practical help and counsel that strengthens hope, to give a chance to improve, and to restore in a meek spirit rather than expose weaknesses to enemies. The faintest trace of courage in a vulnerable person should be carefully preserved, not extinguished, since those who seem coarse or unpromising may still have good impulses and may become loyal followers when reached through patient effort. They must avoid harsh words and hard-heartedness, severity, bitter and contentious words that further wound, bruise, crush, crowd out or quench hope in God, for such words do not mend or restore but can cause dissension and sorrow.
Fathers have in His meek and gentle heart in both outward manner and inward grace the example of tender love, so that they can say His gentleness has made them great. Not breaking and not quenching means enjoying seeing children and youth happy, never speaking an unkind or discourteous word, and even when denunciations of hypocrisy are keen and searching showing no irritated temper. Only divine grace can correct harsh tendencies so parents can deal gently with their children.
True religion consists in practicing the words of the living God, and unless the love of Jesus is kept alive in the soul, piety vanishes as flax before the flame.
The Servant upheld by God, chosen and Spirit-filled, working quietly without crying or causing His voice to be heard in the street, tenderly preserving without breaking or quenching while bringing forth judgment to the Gentiles and bringing forth judgment unto truth until judgment is set in the earth, declares the work to be carried on by the people of God. He unites with His people the majesty of an omnipotent King with the gentleness and tenderness of a caretaking shepherd, and His kingdom comes not with observation but by the gentleness of the inspiration of His word and by the operation of His Spirit in the soul, presenting His work before the world in distinct, holy, sacred lines. The set time to favor Zion will soon come, and God has provided men and means so He will not leave His people to shame but will accomplish His work, and His work will move just as He has ordained it to move. No man is to interpose between his fellow men and their God to lead them into paths not cast up for the ransomed, and God will judge anyone who does so, since such human interference has kept His work in many places from advancing as far as it should.
Assurance for Needy Souls
The verse means that Christ deals gently with those who are weak and nearly discouraged, and will help and save all who come to Him and trust His righteousness. He does not abandon the bruised reed or extinguish the smoking flax in affliction, despair or discouragement, but keeps and sustains them as a tower of strength when they feel cut off from God in the furnace of affliction, unable to see Him or understand His dealings. He receives, blesses, helps and strengthens everyone who looks away from own merits and trusts wholly in His merits and righteousness, forgiving sin and preserving the faintest spark of spiritual life. He gives power to the faint and increases strength to those who have no might, making them obedient children who can claim His promise.
Even the weakest, most struggling soul can live and find hope and sufficiency in God by asking in faith, for persevering prayer is not left unanswered and Christ gives grace to the needy. The helpless soul is to hang upon Christ in humility and lowliness of mind with humble sincerity, with no feeling of being whole with no need of a physician, but to fall on the Rock and be broken. That falling is to be all broken upon Jesus without reserve, wholly the Lord's, subdued at the foot of the cross while taking hold of His strength and taking God at His word, standing in the strength of the Mighty One till He sends forth judgment unto victory. His word is pledged to be a present help in every time of need to those who believe just now.
To be like a bruised reed is to be crushed and heartbroken for months under a burden, crippled and silenced by continual fear, and laying the burden on the Saviour ends that state. In the strength of Jesus the person is no longer like a bruised reed but asserts freedom to act free and do duty in the fear of God. This is because Jesus loves the bruised soul, gave His life for it because He values it, holds it in His choice keeping and will not bruise it further, the life being precious in His sight with His hand stretched out to save and a work for the wounded one to do. Therefore the fearful, distrustful, self-condemning person is to look away from self and its deformed and stunted condition to Jesus, trust fully in the precious Saviour, put away distrust and worry and fear, refuse Satan's lies, recount God's promises, talk faith and love and goodness and power, and lay the hand in His.
The quiet Servant upon whom God has put His Spirit brings judgment to the Gentiles and brings it forth unto truth without crying or causing His voice to be heard in the streets, dealing gently with the weak and dim without destroying them, and He does not fail nor become discouraged till He has set judgment in the earth while the isles wait for His law. This gives the greatest encouragement and assurance to God's loyal commandment-keeping people. It gives every reason to change attitude toward God, to show the world appreciation for the love of Christ, and to produce the fruit of thanksgiving as living evidence that connection with Christ places them on vantage ground.