A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness He will bring forth justice. Isaiah 42:3
Chapter 42 contains a poem referring to a servant. The servant is the LORD. New Testament writers quote this passage often and know this servant to be the Christ. (See post script)
Verse 3 holds two metaphors that bookend what the author of love first wrote in the story of man. ‘He will not break a bruised reed.’ A bent piece of straw may hold a scar, but it is not severed and left to rot. God’s work is NOT to complete a destruction begun by sin. Instead He binds up, supports, heals, restores.
‘A smoldering wick He will not snuff out.’ Referring to an old fashioned lamp, the writer depicts an empty oil reservoir, a smoking ember, a near useless vessel. But where there is life, there is purpose, fresh oil and a new bright light shining into ‘the dark dungeon for those that sit in darkness.’ (vs. 7)
God is creator, author, designer. He does not destroy or decommission. He is faithful and just. He redeems and gives purpose.
Love,
Gretchen
Matthew 12:15-21, Mark 10:45, Luke 4:16-21 and 22:37, Acts 8:32-35 and I Peter 2:21-24.