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| A weak flame, Jesus will not quench. |
WEEK 16 Isaiah 42
Isaiah is full of
pictures of the coming Messiah. Here in the first part of Isaiah 42:3 is one of
those word pictures which is quoted in Matthew 12:20. It is here we see a
picture of the compassionate and meek (not weak) Messiah who cares for those
who have been broken by life.
There are two
pictures here a bruised reed and a weak flame. The first sees evil/sin has caused
injury, which it always does, but hasn’t destroyed completely. Here Jesus
doesn’t reject outright this damaged individual. The second is the weak flame
which seems to indicate a spark of goodness, but it isn’t where it should be
possible because it is low on fuel. In this second there is a picture of Jesus gently
bringing that person to where they need to be.
In the church
there has been a tendency to do one of these actions of Jesus but not the
other. Either the damaged person has been pushed aside as irredeemable or the
weak flame is quenched by condemnation and guilt. I have seen both in my years in the church, but these days, I see more
quenching. Those who feel they are burning brightly (usually measured by
souls saved, ministry done, or money giving) lay guilt on those who aren’t
measuring up to their standards. Yes, Jesus did at times use harsh words to get
people's attention, but his normal method was gentleness.
The goal is to not
to do just one ministry of Jesus but to do both. Help those who are broken by
sin and encourage those who aren’t living into their Christian potential. This
means a ministry to the sinner and the saint. To the church and to the world.
Which is more important? Both.
A side note here:
There are some people who may have greater gifting to work with one group or
the other. This isn’t wrong, God, after all, has placed different giftings in
the church (1 Corinthians 12), but in a church, both should be in operation.
Finally, don’t exalt one or despise others who are gifted differently as both
are vital and both are part of Jesus’ ministry.
Isa 42:1-25
(1) Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
(2) He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
(3) A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
(4) He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
(5) Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
(6) I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
(7) To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
(8) I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
(9) Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
(10) Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
(11) Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
(12) Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
(13) The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
(14) I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
(15) I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
(16) And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
(17) They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
(18) Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
(19) Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant?
(20) Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
(21) The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
(22) But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
(23) Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
(24) Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
(25) Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.
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