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Sunday Worship 17 November 2024 : A bruised reed He will not break

Text: Isaiah 42:2-3
17 November 2024

INTRODUCTION

1. The Messianic Kingdom as prophesied by Isaiah

a. It will not be limited to Israel
b. It will extend to the Gentiles   (Isaiah 42:1, 4)
c. It will cover the whole earth

2. The titles of the Messiah-King

a. Ruler
b. Law-giver
c. Judge

3. The heart and spirit of the Messiah-King

a. It was that of a “servant”
b. Thus God addressed Him as “My Servant”
i. He subjected Himself to God as His Servant
ii. He had a heart of a servant towards His people

A CONTRASTING EXAMPLE: KING REHOBOAM

1. Many of the kings of Israel did not have the heart of a servant

2. One especially clear example is that of King Rehoboam

3. Solomon died, and his son Rehoboam took over the throne

4. The request of Jeroboam and the people of Israel

Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.   1 Kings 12:4

5. Rehoboam’s counsel from the elders

And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”   1 Kings 12:7

6. The counsel of the young men

Then the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you should speak to this people who have spoken to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter on us’—thus you shall say to them: ‘My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist! And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!’ ”   1 Kings 12:10-11

7. Rehoboam followed the counsel of the young men rather than the counsel of the elders

a. This caused a split in the nation   (1 Kings 12:16-21)
b. Ten tribes followed Jeroboam
c. Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to Rehoboam

8. The character of Rehoboam as King

a. He sought to use force and coercion against the people
b. He sought to exploit them
c. He did not have the heart of a servant

A DESCRIPTION OF THE HEART AND SPIRIT OF OUR MESSIAH-KING

He will not cry out, nor raise His voice,
Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.
A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench…   Isaiah 42:2-3

1. “He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street”

a. He would never resort to force or coercion
b. He would never abuse His authority at any time

2. “A bruised reed He will not break”

a. A reed could be used as a simple tool (eg. as a pen, or as a measuring rod)
b. But a bruised reed would not be very useful
c. “A bruised reed” refers to people who have been “damaged” in one way or another
i. Who cannot meaningfully contribute to society
ii. Who are typically cast out
d. “He will not break”
i. He will serve even the lowliest of people
ii. He will not cast them out
iii. He will heal and restore them instead
e. Examples in His life and ministry
i. Healing of a Leper   (Matthew 8:1-4)
ii. Healing of the demon possessed and sick.   (Matthew 8:16-17)

3. “And smoking flax He will not quench”

a. Flax was used as a wick for an oil lamp
b. If the flax is smoking, it means the flame is almost out
c. “Smoking flax” is reference to people who are down and out
i. Who have come to the very end of their tether
ii. Whose flame is almost out
d. “He will not quench”
i. He will serve even those who are down and out
ii. He will help and restore them

THE CHALLENGE TO CULTIVATE THE CHARACTER OF A SERVANT OF GOD

1. The Lord Jesus taught His disciples to follow His example

2. He taught them to cultivate their character   (Matthew 5:1-2)

3. The traits of all who seek to be servants of God   (Matthew 5:3-10)

a. Lowliness of spirit
b. Mourning with others
c. Meekness
d. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness
e. Merciful
f. Pure in heart
g. Peacemakers
h. Responding appropriately to persecution

4. The challenge to cultivate these character traits   (Matthew 5:13-16)

a. So that they become a part of our spirit
b. So that we can become distinctive as disciples of the Lord Jesus
c. So that we can be servants of God who glorify God our Heavenly Father

Final hymn: CP 340 O To Be Like Thee