Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 42

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. (Isaiah 42:1)

Truly, this prophecy concerns the Lord Jesus Christ.

Observe the title he takes: He is called the servant of God.

The Father calls him his servant. Above all others, Christ is the servant of the Most High, humbly choosing to become the servant of servants, though he is the King of kings.

Consider the phrase, "Whom I uphold." This may be understood in two ways. According to some renderings, it could be, "Whom I lean upon"—as if God leaned the full weight of his glory upon Christ and entrusted the work of grace into his hands, if the passage is read passively. If read actively, it is as in our text: "Whom I uphold." Both are true: God leans upon Christ, and Christ draws his strength from God. They work together, and the glory is mutual.

Next, "Mine elect." This means "My choice one," for there is none so excellent as Christ. He is "My elected one," for Christ is the head of election. We are chosen in him before the foundation of the world, so God especially calls him "Mine elect."

Then, "In whom my soul delighteth." The Father's delight in the Son is infinite. He delighted in his person, and now he delights in the work he has accomplished. The Father's delight is in Christ, and he delights in us because we are in him. Indeed, if we are members of Christ, God is well pleased with us for Christ's sake.

The prophecy continues: "I have put my Spirit upon him." This was publicly done when he was baptized in the Jordan. The Spirit without measure rests and abides on him, our covenant head.

Finally, "He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles." Rejoice then, you Gentiles! You are no longer excluded. At first, the word came to the Jews only, but God has given the man, Christ Jesus, who has brought 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.

Jesus was gentle, retiring, meek, quiet. His testimony was a very powerful one, but not a noisy one. He sought no honour among men.

He frequently forbade the healed ones to tell of his miracles. He rather retired than came into public notice. He was not contentious.

He did not seek to put out the Pharisees, who were like smoking flax. He was never hard towards the tender ones, but always gentle as a nurse among her children. Now it is very often found that, where there is quietness and meekness, there is, nevertheless, great firmness of purpose. Noise and weakness go together, but quietness and strength are frequently combined. So read the next verse.

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.

Of whom does the prophet speak this, but of the Messiah – Jesus of Nazareth? He was upheld by the mighty power of God. He was the Lord's chosen. The Spirit of God rested upon him, and this day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears, for he has brought forth righteousness to the Gentiles.

He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

He shall be no clamorous seeker of applause. He shall not shout as those who seek mastery. Now the Savior was quiet, gentle, meek, and humble. When he lifted up his voice, it was for God and for the sons of men—not for himself. He was meek and lowly of heart.

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

How exactly these words describe the Lord Jesus! He was so gentle that he did not break or break off the bruised reeds. We read that he did not answer the Scribes and Pharisees. They were so powerless—such bruised reeds in his esteem, such worthless, smoking flaxes—that he let them alone until eventually he came to bring forth judgment unto victory. And now the weak, the feeble, the gentle, the poor in spirit, will never find Christ deal harshly with them. The bruised reed he will not break: the smoking flax he will not quench.