Biblion Bible Commentary
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A Bruised Reed He Will Not Break
Isaiah 42:1-9
1 “Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations. · WEB
The first Servant Song describes a public figure who does not raise his voice and will not finish off anything already damaged.
Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations Isaiah 42:1.
The first of the four Servant Songs. Matthew quotes the whole passage of Jesus, at the point where he heals crowds and tells them not to publicize it Matthew 12:18–21, and the words spoken at his baptism — this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased Matthew 3:17 — are this verse.
The mission is stated at once and it is not local: justice, to the nations.
He will not shout, nor raise his voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street Isaiah 42:2.
Three denials in one verse, and they rule out every method a reformer would use. No rally, no proclamation in the market, nothing raised. Whatever this justice is, it does not arrive by volume.
He won't break a bruised reed. He won't quench a dimly burning wick Isaiah 42:3.
The most tender sentence in the book. Both objects are worthless and both are nearly finished. A cracked reed pipe will not play and is thrown away; a wick down to a smoulder is snuffed and replaced. Any reasonable person disposes of both.
The Assyrian at the wall used the same image contemptuously of Egypt — a bruised reed that pierces the hand Isaiah 36:6. The servant is described by what he does with the same object.
And the verse continues: he will faithfully bring justice. The gentleness is not an alternative to the mission; it is how the mission is carried out.
He will not fail nor be discouraged, until he has set justice on the earth Isaiah 42:4.
The Hebrew uses the same two roots as the previous verse — he will not be bruised or quenched himself. What he refuses to do to the weak is what will not be done to him.
I, Yahweh, have called you in righteousness. I will hold your hand. I will keep you, and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations Isaiah 42:6.
He is not merely the mediator of a covenant; he is called one. And a light for the nations is the phrase Simeon uses over the infant in the temple Luke 2:32 and Paul quotes when he turns to the Gentiles Acts 13:47.
To open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison Isaiah 42:7.
The job description, and all three items concern people who cannot leave where they are.
I am Yahweh. That is my name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to engraved images Isaiah 42:8.
The statement is worth holding beside the song it interrupts. Glory will not be shared with another — and it has just been given, in the same breath, to the servant.
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