Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 42:3

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

He will not break it to pieces, but rather will strengthen and binde it up. It is a common figure, whereby more is understood than was expressed, and one contrary is left to be gathered from another, of which many instances have been given in former Texts. The sence is plainly this, Christ will not deal roughly and rigorously with those that come to him, but he will use all gentleness and kindness to them, passing by their greatest sins, bearing with their present infirmities, cherishing and incouraging the smallest beginnings of grace, comforting and healing wounded consciences, and the like.

The same thing is repeated in other words, to give us the greater assurance of the truth of it. That wiek of a Candle (called Flax metonymically, because it is made of Flax) which is almost exstinct, and doth onely smoke and not flame, he will not utterly quench, but will revive and kindle it again.

Iudgment may be here taken either, 1. For the Law or Will of God, or the Doctrine of the Gospel, which he will bring forth, i. e. publish, which he will do unto or in or with or according to (for this preposition is used all those wayes) truth, i. e. truly and faithfully, not concealing nor corrupting it, as false teachers commonly do. So this is a character, like that which is given to Christ, Mat. 22. 16. Thou art true and teachest the way of God in truth: And thus this phrase of bringing forth Iudgment, is taken here as it is ver▪ 1. Or, 2. for the Cause which is debated, or for the sentence which is given in the cause, as this word is most frequently used, which he will bring forth, i. e. bring to light, or discover or publish; and this he will do according to truth and equity, and not unjustly and partially, as corrupt judges use to give sentence against the poor and meek. In this sence this very phrase of bringing forth Iudgment, is taken Psal. 37. 6. And this sence seems to be favoured, both by the consideration of the quality of the Persons, to whom this judgment is here implied to be brought forth, who are called bruised Reeds, and smoaking Flax, whereby they are supposed to be Persons discouraged, and oppressed, and in a contest with themselves, or with their spiritual adversaries about the state of their Souls; as also by comparing this place with Mat. 12. 20. where these very words are quoted, and thus rendred, Till he send forth Iudgment unto Victory, i. e. till judgment or sentence be given for him, in which case a man is said to be victorious in Judgment. If it be said for the former interpretation, that it seems most reasonable to understand Iudgment here as it is understood, ver. 1. and 4. and bringing forth Iudgment here as it is taken, ver. 1. it may be truly and fairly answered, that it is a very common thing in Scripture, for the same words or phrases to be used in several sences, not onely in two Neighbouring verses, but sometimes also in the very same verse, whereof I have formerly given divers instances.

Marginal references: Or, dimly burning.; Heb. quench it.; Psal. 94. 15.