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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:1-7

The servants of God, and the one true Servant. It must be admitted By all that the expression "Servant of God" or "Servant of Jehovah," is used in Scripture in various senses. All who work out God's purposes, however unconsciously or even unwillingly, are called by the sacred writers "God's servants," in respect of the service, albeit unconscious or unwilling, which they render him. Thus Jeremiah calls Nebuchadnezzar "God's servant" ( Jeremiah 25:9 ; Jeremiah 27:6 , etc.), and Ezekiel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:1-7

The Servant of Jehovah. "Behold!" Let all the world hearken and attend to the new revelation. It is admitted that the conception is substantially that of Christ in the Gospels. According to one critic, indeed, the prophetic passage springs from the time of Herod II . Let us think, then, of Jesus and his mission. I. THE ELECT OF GOD . Six times does the word occur in this portion of Isaiah; it is found also in Psalms 89:3 ; Psalms 105:6 , Psalms 105:43 ; Psalms 106:5 , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:1-8

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE SERVANT OF THE LORD , AND THE WORK WHICH HE WILL PERFORM . There are comparatively few who deny that, in this place at any rate, the "Servant of the Lord" is the Messiah. (So the Targum on the passage; so Abar-barnel; so, among moderns, Oehler, Delitzsch, and Mr. Cheyne.) The portraiture has "so strong an individuality and such marked personal features, that it cannot possibly be a mere personified collective;" and it goes so "infinitely ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:2

He shall not cry, nor lift up . Supply, after "lift up," "his voice" from the next clause. His methods shall be quiet and gentle. He shall not seek to recommend his teaching by clamour or noisy demonstrations. There shall be a marked unobtrusiveness in all his doings (comp. Matthew 8:4 ; Matthew 9:30 ; Matthew 12:15 ; Matthew 14:13 ; John 5:13 ; John 6:15 ; John 7:3 , John 7:4 ; John 8:59 ; John 10:40 , etc.). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:2-3

Quietness of method and hopefulness of spirit. That these words are rightly referred to our Lord we have the assurance of Scripture ( Matthew 12:1-50 .), as well as the evidence of their perfect applicability. They remind us of— I. THE QUIETNESS OF HIS METHOD . With a task before him the surpassing greatness of which completely dwarfs every human enterprise, it was a matter of vital consequence that our Lord should adopt the method which would be permanently effective. He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:3

A bruised reed shall he not break . Egypt was compared to a "bruised reed" by Sennacherib ( Isaiah 36:6 ), as being untrustworthy and destitute of physical strength; but here the image represents the weak and depressed in spirit, the lowly and dejected. Christ would deal tenderly with such, not violently. Smoking flax shall he not quench ; rather, the wick which burns dimly (margin) he shall not quench. Where the flame of devotion burns at all, however feebly and dimly, Messiah will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:3

The tenderness of God. "A bruised reed shall he not break." Then he is very unlike us. We are often over-indignant with wrong done to ourselves. We find that there is an imperious temper in humanity, and that even parents sometimes "break" the spirit of their children. How many are discouraged and disheartened in life through a want of sympathy, through the coldness and hauteur of others! I. THERE ARE BRUISINGS OF SIN . Christ will heal these. He never drives to despair. He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:4

He shall not fail nor be discouraged ; literally, he will not burn dimly nor be bruised. He will himself show no signs of that weakness which he will compassionate in others. As a "Light" ( Luke 2:32 ; John 1:4-9 ), he will burn brightly and strongly; as a Reed, or Rod, he will be firm and unbroken. Till he have set judgment in the earth ; i.e. till he has succeeded in establishing true religion upon the earth (compare the last clause of Isaiah 42:1 ). The isles; or, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:4

Christ's sure conquest. "He shall net fail nor be discouraged." We study this text in relation to our Saviour. We may be, and often are, discouraged; but the Son, he in whom, says Jehovah ( Isaiah 42:1 ), "my soul delighteth," he never is. He must reign. All the infinite forces of love and righteousness are on his side. In God's world error can never be supreme over truth. "The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand." I. THE SAVIOUR AND DIVINE CERTAINTY . He is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:4

The Christian's conquest. "He shall not fail nor be discouraged" We study this next in relation to ourselves, The words suggest difficulties that task strength and patience, He, our blessed Lord, has a work, not only of Divine impulse, but Divine patience. The second verse describes the quiet work of Christ; the third describes the solicitous heart of Christ; the fourth describes the spirit which sustains him. I. THIS PROPHECY SUGGESTS A DIFFICULT PATH OF PROGRESS . Why say... read more

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