Context: Babylon was to fall. Soon, Israel's captivity was to end. Soon, those who choose to return to their homeland could. God's purpose would be achieved in Israel by Israel functioning as a gentle servant.
Often Old Testament prophecies served a double purpose. In this prophecy, God could speak of the servant nation (Israel) and of the servant Christ (Jesus) in the same prophecy. Read Matthew 12:15-21.
In this lesson, we want to understand God's plan and intentions for the Christ.
Questions to be answered directly from the text: (The text used is the New American Standard. You may certainly use your own study text.)
Cry out or raise his voice. He will not "command attention" as was commonly done by someone who had a mission to accomplish that involved a message. He would not use crowd attracting shouts to gain attention. Instead he would use quiet instruction.
His voice. A parallel (repeat) emphasis on the point in the last question.
A bruised reed. Reeds that grew by the river side had numerous uses. They were plentiful and expendable. He would not destroy something as inexpensive and useless as a bruised reed.
The glowing ember in a wick. The flame has been extinguished. Only the glowing ember remains in the wick. It is so weak that all it produces is a rising wisp of smoke (no light). It can easily be destroyed by pinching the wick between your fingers. He would not even destroy the ember.
The primary point of 7 and 8 is that he is a threat to no one. He revitalizes and restores life, not destroys life. That is a striking contrast to rulers and leaders of that time.
Read each of the following scriptures about Jesus' life. State how each scripture illustrates a point made in Isaiah 42.
He refused to let John discourage his baptism because he knew it was appropriate for him to be baptized. He wished to submit, to surrender to His father. He committed himself to "delighting God" by fulfilling all righteousness even though he had no sin.
The transfiguration illustrates that he was God's chosen one. He was to be heard rather than Moses who gave the law and Elijah, the symbol of the prophetic voice.
He did not "break the bruised reed or extinguish the wick" when the woman known by all to be sexually immoral came to him in deep grief. This person sought Jesus out.
He did not "break the bruised reed or extinguish the wick" of the Samaritan woman at the well, even though she was a divorcee living with a man to whom she was not married. Jesus sought her out and used her to bring a whole village to faith.
He did not "break the bruised reed or extinguish the wick" of the leper, an outcast, who had complete confidence in Jesus' ability to use his power to heal him. Jesus told him to tell no one about the healing. Jesus did not try to attract attention to himself or the power in him. His primary concern: "Hear my message."
The high priest could not comprehend why Jesus kept his silence. Even as he unjustly was condemned, he was a threat to no one and he "did not cry or raise his voice."
Choosing the role and position of a servant is not the human avenue to significant accomplishment and achievement. Leaders who are served are the avenue; servants merely accomplish the plans and dreams of leaders.
The Creator God looked at His creation and said that it was very good (Genesis 1:31). Evil corrupted, distorted, and ruined God's good creation (Romans 8:19-23). God executed His plan (Romans 5:6-11). (1) He sent His Son to live a human life in a wicked world and complex age. (2) He sacrificed His Son for our sins on the cross. (3) He raised His Son from the death. (4) He made His Son Lord and Christ.
Satan changed the world through evil. God changed the world through Jesus. The all powerful God who created all things, who could do anything He wanted to do in any way He wished to do it, sent Jesus to be a servant. God gave the world a Savior by sending a servant. The eternal God accomplishes His purposes through servants.
Link to Student Guide Quarter 1, Lesson 1