Originally I had planned to write two Lessons on each chapter of Isaiah. But now that we’ve arrived in the “Sweetest” Portion of the Book (chapters 40-66 … so much of which depicts Jesus and Grace and Salvation, real “Comfort”) that my little plan may no longer apply!

As we learned in yesterday’s “Class,” Isaiah is here in chapter 42 foretelling the Coming of Jesus, the Messiah!

One “in Whom God is well-pleased!” In our beautiful King James Bible … God, taking about Jesus … “Behold, My Servant (Jesus) in Whom My Soul delighteth!” Isaiah 42:1 (The equivalent of God calling David “a man after Mine Own Heart!”)

One (Jesus) Who will not even “break a bruised reed.” (Verse 3) How tender! (A little hollow plant growing down by the riverside! Already trampled by some careless traveler … our Lord would try to salvage it! He certainly would not step on it again!)

And Jesus would not “quench a smoking flax” either! (Still verse 3.) Just a little “wick” on a candle, on a lamp to illuminate some corner of a poor man’s home! Already smoldering, nearly going out … Jesus would try to nurse it back to life, to usefulness!)

Yes, He is the Saviour!

Am I writing to any broken reeds out there? Or smoking flaxes? That is, UNTIL Jesus found you and restored you and saved you?

Last night I preached in a Camp Meeting in western North Carolina. My Text was Galatians 6:1. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness ….”

Is that not exactly what Jesus does with those “bruised reeds” and “smoking flaxes?” He “restores” them! He “restores” us! (I wish I’d thought of this Verse last night!)

One writer, a Bible teacher, observed that the broken reed had been injured internally, crushed deeply! But that the smoking flax (wick) had been starved externally (no oil to fuel its flame)! Damage/deprivation inside or outside … Jesus can “fix” it!

No wonder our Lord characterized Himself … “meek and lowly,” and the “Giver of rest!” (Matthew 11:28 … “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”)

Wow!

What a precious Savour!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

I have to confess! This dual word picture (“bruised reeds” and “smoking flaxes” are one of my favorites from Isaiah. Some time back I read a Sermon by F. W. Boreham on this Text. He said that the “bruised reed” (good for few things now that it has been so damaged) could easily have been fashioned into a primitive flute, a little musical instrument! One that would have made melody to its “deliverer!”

Hallelujah!

Sing to Him today!

.