The Bruised Unbroken and Faint Upheld

Isaiah prophesies of a Servant who would bring forth justice to the nations, yet do it without breaking a bruised reed or extinguishing a faintly-burning wick. The English Puritan Richard Sibbes wrote of the bruised reed as those who have been damaged by the effects of sin, and the smoking flax as those with only a spark of faith. Christ will not be the one to break the bruised reed or quench the small faith of the faint-hearted, but rather uphold them and fan them into flame.