Isaiah 42:3
A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.
A bruised reed
The phrase "a bruised reed" evokes imagery of fragility and vulnerability. In the Hebrew context, a reed was a common plant, often used for simple tools or instruments, but when bruised, it became weak and easily broken. This metaphor represents individuals who are damaged or weakened by life's trials. The compassionate nature of God, as depicted here, assures us that He does not discard or destroy those who are struggling. Instead, He offers support and restoration. This reflects the gentle and nurturing character of the Messiah, who cares for the brokenhearted and the downtrodden.

He will not break
The assurance that "He will not break" the bruised reed emphasizes the Messiah's tender approach. The Hebrew verb used here suggests a deliberate action to avoid causing further harm. This is a powerful reminder of God's mercy and patience. In a world where weakness is often met with harshness, this divine promise offers hope and comfort. It underscores the belief that God values every soul, regardless of their current state, and is committed to their healing and redemption.

A smoldering wick
The "smoldering wick" symbolizes something that is on the verge of being extinguished, much like a candle that is almost out of fuel. This can represent a person's faith or spirit that is nearly depleted. In ancient times, a wick that was smoldering was often seen as useless and would be snuffed out. However, the Messiah's approach is different. He sees potential where others see failure. This imagery reassures believers that even when their faith is weak, God does not give up on them. Instead, He nurtures and revives their spirit.

He will not extinguish
The commitment that "He will not extinguish" the smoldering wick highlights the enduring grace and patience of God. The Hebrew verb here conveys a sense of protection and preservation. This is a profound testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people. It speaks to the divine promise that God will not abandon those who are struggling but will instead work to reignite their passion and faith. This is a call to trust in God's sustaining power, even in times of doubt and despair.

In faithfulness
The phrase "in faithfulness" underscores the reliability and steadfastness of God's character. The Hebrew root for faithfulness conveys a sense of firmness and truth. This is a reminder that God's actions are always consistent with His nature and promises. For believers, this is a source of great assurance, knowing that God's commitment to justice and mercy is unwavering. It encourages trust in His divine plan and timing, even when circumstances seem uncertain.

He will bring forth justice
The promise that "He will bring forth justice" is a declaration of God's ultimate purpose and plan. The Hebrew concept of justice (mishpat) involves not only legal fairness but also righteousness and moral integrity. This is a prophetic assurance that the Messiah will establish a kingdom where true justice prevails. For the faithful, this is a call to align with God's righteous standards and to participate in His redemptive work in the world. It is a vision of hope, where God's perfect justice will be realized, bringing peace and restoration to all creation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Servant of the Lord
This passage is part of the "Servant Songs" in Isaiah, which prophetically describe the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as the Servant who brings justice and compassion.

2. Isaiah
The prophet who authored the book, delivering God's messages to the people of Israel during a time of moral and spiritual decline.

3. Israel
The nation to whom Isaiah prophesied, often depicted as a "bruised reed" or "smoldering wick" due to their spiritual struggles and need for redemption.

4. The Coming of the Messiah
This event is foreshadowed in Isaiah's prophecies, pointing to Jesus Christ's ministry of compassion and justice.

5. Justice
A central theme in this passage, referring to God's righteous order and the restoration of His people through the Messiah.
Teaching Points
Compassionate Ministry
Jesus exemplifies a ministry of compassion, reaching out to those who are weak and struggling. As His followers, we are called to emulate this compassion in our interactions with others.

Hope for the Broken
The imagery of the bruised reed and smoldering wick offers hope to those who feel weak or insignificant. God values and nurtures us, even in our brokenness.

Faithful Justice
God's justice is not harsh or destructive but is characterized by faithfulness and restoration. We are encouraged to trust in His righteous plans and seek justice in our own lives.

Gentle Restoration
The passage teaches us about the gentle nature of God's restoration. We should approach others with the same gentleness, aiming to restore rather than condemn.

Endurance in Faith
Just as a smoldering wick is not extinguished, our faith, even when weak, is precious to God. We are encouraged to persevere, knowing that God will sustain us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of a "bruised reed" and "smoldering wick" reflect God's character as described in Isaiah 42:3?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of compassionate ministry in our daily interactions with others?

3. How does the fulfillment of Isaiah 42:3 in the New Testament enhance our understanding of Jesus' mission?

4. What are some practical ways we can seek to bring about God's justice in our communities?

5. How can we find encouragement in our spiritual walk from the promise that God will not break a bruised reed or extinguish a smoldering wick?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 12:20
This verse directly quotes Isaiah 42:3, showing its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who embodies the gentle and compassionate Servant.

Psalm 34:18
This verse speaks of the Lord being close to the brokenhearted, paralleling the imagery of the bruised reed and smoldering wick.

Hebrews 4:15
This verse highlights Jesus as a compassionate high priest, able to sympathize with our weaknesses, reflecting the gentle nature described in Isaiah 42:3.
Christ the Arrester of Incipient Evil and the Nourisher of Incipient GoodAlexander MaclarenIsaiah 42:3
The Tenderness of GodW.M. Statham Isaiah 42:3
The Characteristics of the True LeaderW. Clarkson Isaiah 42:1-4
The Servant of JehovahE. Johnson Isaiah 42:1-7
Behold, My ServantF. B. Meyer, B. A.Isaiah 42:1-17
Christ Delighted in by the FatherH. Melvill, B. D.Isaiah 42:1-17
Cyrus and the Servant of JehovahProf. G. A. Smith, D. D.Isaiah 42:1-17
God's Programme for the WorldS. Chadwick.Isaiah 42:1-17
Jehovah and Jehovah's ServantProf. G. A. Smith, D. D.Isaiah 42:1-17
Messiah and His WorkOriginal Secession MagazineIsaiah 42:1-17
Purpose and Method of the RedeemerR. R. Meredith, D. D.Isaiah 42:1-17
Silent Spread of ChristianitySermons by the Monday ClubIsaiah 42:1-17
The Coming SaviourSermons by the Monday ClubIsaiah 42:1-17
The Coming SaviourHomiletic ReviewIsaiah 42:1-17
The Dignity of ServiceJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 42:1-17
The Ideal IsraeliteB. H. Alford.Isaiah 42:1-17
The Ideal Servant JehovahE. H. Plumptre, D. D.Isaiah 42:1-17
The Ideal Servant's WorkProf. S. R. Driver, D. D.Isaiah 42:1-17
The Mediator is the CentreF. Delitzsch, D. D.Isaiah 42:1-17
The Servant of JehovahProf. T. K. Cheyne, D. D.Isaiah 42:1-17
The Servant of JehovahAnon.Isaiah 42:1-17
The Servant of JehovahJ. A. Alexander.Isaiah 42:1-17
The Servant of the LordA. Maclaren, D. D.Isaiah 42:1-17
The Servant, First Israel as a Whole, Then Israel in PartProf. G. A. Smith, D. D.Isaiah 42:1-17
The Service of God and ManProf. G. A. Smith, D. D.Isaiah 42:1-17
The Servitude of JesusJ. Vaughan, M. A.Isaiah 42:1-17
The Trinity in UnityW. Cadman, M. A.Isaiah 42:1-17
Who is the Servant of JehovahProf. T. K. Cheyne, D. D.Isaiah 42:1-17
Christ Unlike the Prophets of IsraelProf. J. Skinner, D. D.Isaiah 42:2-3
Christ's Message Self-EvidentialProf. F. Delitzsch, D. D.Isaiah 42:2-3
Christ's Ministry UnhystericalProf. G. A. Smith, D. D.Isaiah 42:2-3
Jesus Christ not a ControversialistJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 42:2-3
Quietness of Method and Hopefulness of SpiritW. Clarkson Isaiah 42:2, 3
The Greatness and the Gentleness of ChristC. Short, M. A.Isaiah 42:2-3
A Bruised ReedJ. Parker, D. DIsaiah 42:3-4
A Bruised Reed and Smoking FlaxA. Maclaren, D. D.Isaiah 42:3-4
Bruised ReedsJ. Pearce.Isaiah 42:3-4
Christ the Arrester of Begun EvilA. Maclaren, D. DIsaiah 42:3-4
Fragrance from the Bruised-SoulJ. R. Macduff, D. D.Isaiah 42:3-4
God's Negatives Imply Strong AffirmationsJ. R. Macduff, D. D.Isaiah 42:3-4
Rudiments of Religion in the Heathen WorldProf. J Skinner, D. D.Isaiah 42:3-4
Smelting FlaxIsaiah 42:3-4
The Bruised ReedJ. R. Macduff, D. D.Isaiah 42:3-4
The Bruised ReedHomiletic ReviewIsaiah 42:3-4
The Bruised ReedJ. H. Evans, M. A.Isaiah 42:3-4
The Bruised Reed and She Smoking FlaxJ. R. Macduff, D. D.Isaiah 42:3-4
The Compassion of ChristB. Beddome, M. AIsaiah 42:3-4
The Long-Suffering of MessiahSt. J. A. Frere, M. A.Isaiah 42:3-4
The Smoking FlaxJ. H. Evans, M. A.Isaiah 42:3-4
The Source of Christ's Perfect Tenderness to SinnersH. E. Manning, D. D.Isaiah 42:3-4
The Strong Servant of JehovahA. Maclaren, D. DIsaiah 42:3-4
The Transforming Tenderness of JesusA. Sradlle, M. A.Isaiah 42:3-4
The Weak Christian ComfortedS. Bridge, M. A.Isaiah 42:3-4
People
Isaiah, Jacob, Kedar
Places
Jerusalem, Kedar, Sela
Topics
Break, Breaketh, Bring, Bringeth, Broken, Bruised, Burning, Crushed, Dim, Dimly, Extinguish, Faithfully, Faithfulness, Feebly, Flax, Forth, Judgment, Justice, Peoples, Quench, Quencheth, Quite, Reed, Sending, Smoking, Smoldering, Snuff, Stem, Truth, Wick, Won't
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 42:3

     2015   Christ, compassion
     2021   Christ, faithfulness
     4502   reed
     5360   justice, God
     5566   suffering, encouragements in
     5946   sensitivity
     7925   fellowship, among believers
     8724   doubt, dealing with

Isaiah 42:1-3

     5975   violence
     8264   gentleness

Isaiah 42:1-4

     2042   Christ, justice of
     2230   Messiah, coming of
     7160   servants of the Lord

Isaiah 42:1-6

     7949   mission, of Israel

Isaiah 42:1-7

     6641   election, responsibilities

Isaiah 42:2-3

     2036   Christ, humility

Isaiah 42:3-4

     8713   discouragement

Library
Christ the Arrester of Incipient Evil and the Nourisher of Incipient Good
'A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench.... He shall not fail nor be discouraged.'--ISAIAH xlii. 3, 4. The two metaphors which we have in the former part of these words are not altogether parallel. 'A bruised reed' has suffered an injury which, however, is neither complete nor irreparable. 'Smoking flax,' on the other hand--by which, of course, is meant flax used as a wick in an old-fashioned oil lamp--is partially lit. In the one a process has been begun which,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and the Spirit of Error Carrieth Many Away.
There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the question is,
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant
"I give thee for a covenant of the people."--ISA. xlii. 6, xlix. 8. "The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in."--MAL. iii. 1. "Jesus was made Surety of a better covenant."--HEB. vii. 22. "The Mediator of the Better Covenant, established upon better promises . . . The Mediator of the New Covenant. . . Ye are come to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant."--HEB. viii. 6, ix. 15, xii. 24. WE have here four titles given to our Lord Jesus in
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Words of Counsel.
"A bruised reed shall He not break."--Isaiah xlii. 3; Matt. xii. 20. It is dangerous for those who are seeking salvation to lean upon the experience of other people. Many are waiting for a repetition of the experience of their grandfather or grandmother. I had a friend who was converted in a field; and he thinks the whole town ought to go down into that meadow and be converted. Another was converted under a bridge; and he thinks that if any enquirer were to go there he would find the Lord. The best
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

The Blessed Journey
Gerhard Ter Steegen Is. xlii. 16 Let Him lead thee blindfold onwards, Love needs not to know; Children whom the Father leadeth Ask not where they go. Though the path be all unknown, Over moors and mountains lone. Give no ear to reason's questions: Let the blind man hold That the sun is but a fable Men believed of old. At the breast the babe will grow; Whence the milk he need not know.
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

China Evangelized.
China Evangelized. "The Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle."--Isa. xlii. 4. PART I. PART II. PART III. Lift up your heads, ye gates of brass! Ye bars of Iron! yield; And let the King of Glory pass,-- The Cross is in the field. That banner, brighter than the star, That leads the train of night, Shines on their march and guides from far His servants to the fight. A holy war those servants wage; --Mysteriously at strife, The powers of heaven and hell engage For more than death or life.
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Prayer Taught and Encouraged.
(Probably Judæa.) ^C Luke XI. 1-13. ^c 1 And it came to pass, as he was praying in a certain place, that when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, even as John also taught his disciples. [Jesus had already taught his disciples how to pray in the Sermon on the Mount. This disciple probably thought that the prayer already taught was too brief to be sufficient, especially as Jesus often prayed so long. It was customary for the rabbis to give their disciples forms
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Book ix. Epistle i. To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari).
To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). Gregory to Januarius, &c. The preacher of Almighty God, Paul the apostle, says, Rebuke not an elder (1 Tim. v. 1). But this rule of his is to be observed in cases where the fault of an elder does not draw through his example the hearts of the younger into ruin. But, when an elder sets an example to the young for their ruin, he is to be smitten with severe rebuke. For it is written, Ye are all a snare to the young (Isai. xlii. 22). And again the prophet
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

"But if we Walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, we have Fellowship one with Another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His
1 John i. 7.--"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Art is the imitation of nature, and true religion is a divine art, that consists in the imitation of God himself, the author of nature. Therefore it is a more high and transcendent thing, of a sublimer nature than all the arts and sciences among men. Those reach but to some resemblance of the wisdom of God, expressed in his works,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"And He is the Propitiation,"
1 John ii. 2.--"And he is the propitiation," &c. Here is the strength of Christ's plea, and ground of his advocation, that "he is the propitiation." The advocate is the priest, and the priest is the sacrifice, and such efficacy this sacrifice hath, that the propitiatory sacrifice may be called the very propitiation and pacification for sin. Here is the marrow of the gospel, and these are the breasts of consolation which any poor sinner might draw by faith, and bring out soul refreshment. But truly,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Introduction, with Some General Observations from the Cohesion.
Doubtless it is always useful, yea, necessary, for the children of God to know the right way of making use of Christ, who is made all things to them which they need, even "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption," 1 Cor. i. 30. But it is never more necessary for believers to be clear and distinct in this matter, than when Satan, by all means, is seeking to pervert the right ways of the Lord, and, one way or other, to lead souls away, and draw them off Christ; knowing that, if he prevail
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

1872-1874. Letter from Rev. A. M. W. Christopher --Letter from Gulf of St. Lawrence-Mrs. Birt's Sheltering Home, Liverpool --Letter to Mrs. Merry --Letter from Canada --Miss
Letter from Rev. A. M. W. Christopher--Letter from Gulf of St. Lawrence-Mrs. Birt's Sheltering Home, Liverpool--Letter to Mrs. Merry--Letter from Canada--Miss Macpherson's return to England-- Letter of cheer for Dr. Barnardo--Removal to Hackney Home. Though human praise is not sought, we cannot but feel peculiar pleasure in giving the following testimony from a servant of the Lord so much revered as the Rev, A. M. W. Christopher of Oxford:-- "Of all the works of Christian benevolence which the great
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers

The Credibility of Scripture Sufficiently Proved in So Far as Natural Reason Admits.
1. Secondary helps to establish the credibility of Scripture. I. The arrangement of the sacred volume. II. Its dignity. III. Its truth. IV. Its simplicity. V. Its efficacy. 2. The majesty conspicuous in the writings of the Prophets. 3. Special proofs from the Old Testament. I. The antiquity of the Books of Moses. 4. This antiquity contrasted with the dreams of the Egyptians. II. The majesty of the Books of Moses. 5. The miracles and prophecies of Moses. A profane objection refuted. 6. Another profane
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Purpose in the Coming of Jesus.
God Spelling Himself out in Jesus: change in the original language--bother in spelling Jesus out--sticklers for the old forms--Jesus' new spelling of old words. Jesus is God following us up: God heart-broken--man's native air--bad choice affected man's will--the wrong lane--God following us up. The Early Eden Picture, Genesis 1:26-31. 2:7-25: unfallen man--like God--the breath of God in man--a spirit, infinite, eternal--love--holy--wise--sovereign over creation, Psalm 8:5-8--in his own will--summary--God's
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

How to Make Use of Christ, as Truth, for Comfort, when Truth is Oppressed and Born Down.
There is another difficulty, wherein believing souls will stand in need of Christ, as the truth, to help them; and that is, when his work is overturned, his cause borne down, truth condemned, and enemies, in their opposition to his work, prospering in all their wicked attempts. This is a very trying dispensation, as we see it was to the holy penman of Psalm lxxiii. for it made him to stagger, so that his feet were almost gone, and his steps had well nigh slipt; yea he was almost repenting of his
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
^A Matt. XII. 15-21; ^B Mark III. 7-12. ^a 15 And Jesus perceiving it withdrew ^b with his disciples ^a from thence: ^b to the sea [This was the first withdrawal of Jesus for the avowed purpose of self-preservation. After this we find Jesus constantly retiring to avoid the plots of his enemies. The Sea of Galilee, with its boats and its shores touching different jurisdictions, formed a convenient and fairly safe retreat]: ^a and many followed him; ^b and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Messiah the Son of God
For to which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee? T hough every part of a revelation from God must of course be equally true, there may be a considerable difference even among truths proposed by the same authority, with respect to their immediate importance. There are fundamental truths, the knowledge of which are essentially necessary to our peace and holiness: and there are others of a secondary nature, which, though very useful in their proper connection,
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
Rom. xi. 36.--"Of him and through him, and to him, are all things, to whom be glory for ever." And 1 Cor. x. 31--"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." All that men have to know, may be comprised under these two heads,--What their end is, and What is the right way to attain to that end? And all that we have to do, is by any means to seek to compass that end. These are the two cardinal points of a man's knowledge and exercise. Quo et qua eundum est,--Whither to go, and what way to go.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. "
1 John ii. 1.--"We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." There is no settlement to the spirit of a sinner that is once touched with the sense of his sins, and apprehension of the justice and wrath of God, but in some clear and distinct understanding of the grounds of consolation in the gospel, and the method of salvation revealed in it. There is no solid peace giving answer to the challenges of the law and thy own conscience, but in the advocation of Jesus Christ, the Saviour
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Of the Unity of the Godhead and the Trinity of Persons
Deut. vi. 4.--"Hear, O Israel The Lord our God is one Lord."--1 John v. 7 "There are three that bear record in heaven the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost and these three are one." "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," 2 Tim. iii. 16. There is no refuse in it, no simple and plain history, but it tends to some edification, no profound or deep mystery, but it is profitable for salvation. Whatsoever
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
The duty of Covenanting is founded on the law of nature; but it also stands among the arrangements of Divine mercy made from everlasting. The promulgation of the law, enjoining it on man in innocence as a duty, was due to God's necessary dominion over the creatures of his power. The revelation of it as a service obligatory on men in a state of sin, arose from his unmerited grace. In the one display, we contemplate the authority of the righteous moral Governor of the universe; in the other, we see
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

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