The readings today are taken from Isaiah 41-43.
Isaiah 42 contains the well known quotation by Matthew in Mat 12:17-21.
Here we read of the contrasting servitudes - one of perfect obedience and righteousness, exemplified in Christ and the other of idolatry and disobedience.
The prophecy fulfilled in Christ deserves some attention.
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.
He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. ~ Isa 42:1-3
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. ~ Mat 12:18-21
And as we examine the verses before the the passage above in Mat 12, we see the explanation to the prophecy.
We see Christ as a humble suffering servant. A "bruised reed" as opposed to a towering tree, a "smoking flax" as opposed to a raging bonfire. Yet in all this, the reed is not broken, the flax is not put out. Such is the nature of the ministry of Christ as purposed by God.
A suffering servant indeed with not so much of a fanfare that a humble earthly entry to this world via a feeding tough, and an even more humiliating exit on a cruel cross. Yet Christ fulfilled his purpose in perfect obedience, as God wills (Mar 14:36)
We see this patterned of the apostles. Peter and the apostles declared, "We ought to obey God rather than men." (Act 5:29), in spite of being threatened by the Sanhedrin. Yet always in peaceful, subtle proclamation, in patience, yea indeed "joyful" suffering! (Act 5:40-41).
In spite of his relatively high education and former status among the Pharisees, Paul proclaimed to the reader that he "came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom" and his speech "was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:", with "in weakness, and in fear and in much trembling" (1Co 2:3,4). And of course we read of how much Paul suffered in his life for the cause of Christ (2Co 11:23-28), yet he was the very person to exhort us to "rejoice in the Lord alway"! (Phi 4:4)
Let us learn from our perfect example in Christ (1Pe 2:21) and of the apostles and faithful disciples before us (1Co 11:1; 2Th 3:9), and develop a humble, serving attitude in ourselves, working fervently and zealously yet in quiet industry and God-fearing disposition.
The Lord bless our day ahead.
in Him
Paul
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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. ~ Revelation 22:18,19
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