Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

^“17  This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
      ¹⁸ “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 PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.
    ¹⁹  “HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT;
          NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.
    ²⁰  “A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF,
          AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT,
          UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.
    ²¹  “AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE.”  Matthew 12:17-21.

 

 

I want to focus on the phrase “A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT,”  

 

Here is a quote from Calvin in his Commentary on this phrase –

                                   

“That the gentleness of Christ may awaken reverence in believers, Isaiah reminds them how advantageous, and even how necessary that gentleness must be.  Each of us is conscious of his own weakness; and therefore we ought to consider of what importance it is that Christ should treat us with kindness.  I speak not of unbelievers, who are entirely destitute of all the graces of the Spirit; but with respect to those whom God has already called, are they not like a half-broken reed and a smoking lamp, till God kindle them to full brightness, and supply them with perfect strength?  When Christ is thus pleased to condescend to our weakness, let his unspeakable goodness be embraced by us with joy.  Meanwhile, let none flatter himself in his vices, but let each of us labor to make greater proficiency, that we may not be tossed about (Ephesians 4:14) through our whole life, or bend, like reeds, to the slightest gale.  Let us grow to the stature of perfect men, that we may remain firm against the diversified attacks of Satan, that our faith may not only emit slight sparks encompassed by thick smoke, but may send out bright rays.

                                                                                     

The example of Christ instructs all his ministers in what manner they ought to conduct themselves.  But as there are some who falsely and absurdly maintain that mildness ought to be exercised indiscriminately towards all, we must attend to the distinction which the prophet expressly makes between weak and wicked persons.  Those who are too stubborn need to have their hardness beaten violently with a hammer; and those who endeavor to spread darkness in every direction, or who act as torches to kindle conflagrations, must have their smoke dispelled and their flame extinguished.  While the faithful ministers of the Word ought to endeavor to spare the weak, and thus to cherish and increase that portion of the grace of God, however small, which they possess, they must also exercise prudent caution, lest they encourage the obstinate malice of those who have no resemblance to the smoking lamp or bruised reed.”

 

 

At first, a minister (and others) must use wise discretion in determining the nature of the subject.  Is he or she “a battered reed” or a “battering ram”.  Is he or she a weak or wicked person?  Each type needs different treatment.  

 

There are those “battering rams” (Bill’s term).  Calvin states:  “… we must attend to the distinction which the prophet expressly makes between weak and wicked persons.  Those who are too stubborn need to have their hardness beaten violently with a hammer; and those who endeavor to spread darkness in every direction, or who act as torches to kindle conflagrations, must have their smoke dispelled and their flame extinguished.”

 

But, there are also those “bruised reeds” whom we should treat with patience and kindness, and even tenderness (as we tender a fire from a faltering ember to a roaring fire), as Calvin states:  “whom God has already called, are they not like a half-broken reed and a smoking lamp, till God kindle them to full brightness, and supply them with perfect strength?” 

 

Calvin also wisely points out that we should not be content for ourselves or other Christians in our care to remain indefinitely in this “bruised reed” condition:  “Meanwhile, let none flatter himself in his vices, but let each of us labor to make greater proficiency, that we may not be tossed about (Ephesians 4:14) through our whole life, or bend, like reeds, to the slightest gale.  Let us grow to the stature of perfect men, that we may remain firm against the diversified attacks of Satan, that our faith may not only emit slight sparks encompassed by thick smoke, but may send out bright rays.”