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Reading Classics Together: The Bruised Reed (I)
- 04/15/10
- 56
Today we begin our journey through Richard Sibbes’ The Bruised Reed. I’m starting a bit late in the day, as it happens, due to some technical issues. Nevertheless, here we go. If you have decided to read this classic with us, you are free to leave a comment below. And if you’re not the commenting sort, that’s just fine. I ask only that you keep reading the book.
Summary
As you might expect, the first chapter of The Bruised Reed is dedicated to explaining the rather odd expression that makes up the title. The words come from Isaiah 42:1-3 and are fulfilled in Christ (Matthew 12:18-20).
Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
In this chapter Sibbes looks quickly at the calling of Christ to his office and the manner in which he carries it out. There are a few quotes that I found particularly noteworthy.
In speaking of Christ’s calling he says “Christ was God’s servant in the greatest piece of service that ever was, a chosen and a choice servant who did and suffered all by commission from the Father. In this we may see the sweet love of God to us, in that he counts the work of our salvation by Christ his greatest service, and in that he will put his only beloved Son to that service.”
And in writing about Christ’s church he says “The church is compared to weak things: to a dove amongst the fowls; to a vine amongst the plants; to sheep amongst the beasts; to a woman, which is the weaker vessel.” That may not be entirely politically correct, but the point is well taken.
The heart of the chapter, short though it may be, is this, a definition of bruised reed:
The bruised reed is a man that for the most part is in some misery, as those were that came to Christ for help, and by misery he is brought to see sin as the cause of it, for, whatever pretences sin makes, they come to an end when we are bruised and broken. He is sensible of sin and misery, even unto bruising; and, seeing no help in himself, is carried with restless desire to have supply from another, with some hope, which a little raises him out of himself to Christ, though he dare not claim any present interest of mercy.
This bruising is a requirement before conversion “so the Spirit may make way for himself into the heart by levelling all proud, high thoughts, and that we may understand ourselves to be what indeed we are by nature.” But is also comes to believers “so that reeds may know themselves to be reeds, and not oaks.” And what is the purpose oft his bruising? “His bruising makes us set a high price upon Christ. Then the gospel becomes the gospel indeed; then the fig leaves of morality will do us no good. And it makes us more thankful, and, from thankfulness, more fruitful in our lives; for what makes many so cold and barren, but that bruising for sin never endeared God’s grace to them?”
And there we have the setting for the book. From here I expect Sibbes to encourage us as to when we may be bruised and how we may expect God to extend grace through such times.
Next Week
For next Thursday please read chapters 2 and 3.
Your Turn
The purpose of this program is to read classics together. So if there are things that stood out to you in this chapter, if there are questions you had, this is the time and place to have your say. Feel free to post a comment below or to link to your blog if you’ve chosen to write about this on your own site.
Posts in this Series:
- Reading Classics Together: The Bruised Reed (I)
- Reading Classics Together: The Bruised Reed (II)
- Reading Classics Together: The Bruised Reed (III)
- Reading Classics Together: The Bruised Reed (IV)
- Reading Classics Together: The Bruised Reed (V)
- Reading Classics Together: The Bruised Reed (VI)
- Reading Classics Together: The Bruised Reed (VII)
- Reading Classics Together: The Bruised Reed (VIII)
- Reading Classics Together: The Bruised Reed (Final)
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Comments (56)
I found this quote to be particularly intuitive in describing the need for bruising: “Our hearts, like criminals, until they be beaten from all evasions, never cry for the mercy of the judge.”
Outstanding so far. I love what Spurgeon writes of Sibbes in the Publisher’s Forward “he scatters pearls and diamonds with both hands”
My favorite line from Ch 1 is this: “In time of temptation, apprehensive consciences look so much to the present trouble they are in that they need to be roused up to behold him in whom they may find rest for their distressed souls”
Does this not sum up every temptation? Focusing only on my “present suffering” to the neglect of the one who suffered for me.
Thrilled to be reading this book with you guys.pd
I wrote about this in my little corner, you can find my thoughts here:
http://dailyonmywaytoheaven.com/2010/04/15/the-bruise-reed-part-i
Blessings,
Enjoyed the first chapter. The following, which Tim quoted above, stood out to me: “After conversion we need bruising so that reeds may know themselves to be reeds, and not oaks. Even reeds need bruising, by reason of the remainder of pride in our nature, and to let us see that we live by mercy.”
I know I have enough pride remaining in me that I am often bruised by my gracious and loving Savior.
Thanks so much for kicking this off. I’ve been a reader here for a while and a commenter on and off for a little over a year, but I’ve not actually read any of these classics with you.
In most cases, it was just me being lazy or not being particularly interested in the book or whatever.
This time, I’m actually going through this though, and so far I’m enjoying it.
Thank you for continuing to do this even though I’m sure most of your readers are like me in the past.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
Really enjoyed the first chapter. The bruising quotes were what stood out most. Blogged about it here:http://bit.ly/9OIBEG
The last sentence of the chapter stayed with me……
“It is no easy matter to bring a man from nature to grace, and from grace to glory, so unyielding and intractable are our hearts”.
It is no easy matter………………………
This chapter made me think about Luke 7:41-43. If you are forgiven much, you will love much. I praise God for bruising me, helping me to see my own depravity. When I finally came to realize how much God has forgiven me, I have grown to love God so much more.
Great start; I am so encouraged and comforted in my state. Was also moved by the quotes already shared and this one,
“Likewise this dealing of God establishes us the more in his ways, having had knocks and bruisings in our own ways.”
Oh the wisdom and mercy of our God! and this one,
“It is no easy matter to bring a man from nature to grace and from glory to glory, so unyielding and intractable are our hearts.”
Such a good reminder and yet at the same time the promise that the God of all comfort will complete His purpose/His divine task in His chosen people.
Grateful! sb
The aforementioned quotes struck me as well, but in this one lies a gem:
(What It Is To Be Bruised)”He is sensible of sin and misery, even unto bruising; and, seeing no help in himself, is carried with restless desire to have supply from another, with some hope, which a little raises him out of himself to Christ, though he dare not claim any present interest in mercy.”
Sibbes truly grasps the ever elusive reality of what it means to be of a truly broken and contrite spirit. There is a necessary place for penitence where an appropriate measure of godly sorrow is allowed to work its proper effects, namely sobriety and humility. These are the results that come from the faithful wounds of a friend.
Though we may run into the the forgiving arms of God, if there is never a proper accounting and examination that causes one to cry out, “Save me, O God,” for that besetting sin or hidden fault, there is greater chance of hardness occurring, that wretched state of insensitivity to sin which leads to falling prey to deception.
Theological = Exactly what Tim hit on as the heart of the message.
Practical = “Even reeds need bruising, by reason of the remainder of pride in our nature, and to let us see that we live by mercy.”
God draws men unto Himself primarily by taking away our self-sufficiency… and often we do not see that anymore clearly then when we have been bruised and beaten to remind us of that fact, because only He is self-sufficient.
Thanks for the post and comments so far; you can read my thoughts here.
http://awakeforchrist.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/the-bruised-reed-chapter-1/
It’s amazing to me that even after much bruising my pride says; “why must I go through such bruising? Afterall I’m a great Oak!”. The measure of bruising at times is so great before we are brought low and seek repentance and refuge in and through Christ.I praise God for His sovereign grace of our bruising!I praise God for faithful servants like Sibbes who timeless insight He has preserved for the edification of his people!
just wanted to say that I placed an order for the version of the 2005 book version you recommended (from Westminster) as I had a difficult time digesting 1605 grammar and language (from the original writing). That should also make it much easier to share the insights that I am gleaning from this great book.
Great chapter. The following quote was one of several that stood out to me: “After conversion we need bruising so that reeds may know themselves to be reeds, and not oaks. Even reeds need bruising, by reason of the remainder of pride in our nature, and to let us see that we live by mercy.”
This quote from J.C. Ryle illustrates how insidious a disease pride is:”It is an dreadful fact, whether we like to allow it or not, that pride is one of the common sins which beset human nature. We are all born Pharisees. We all naturally think far better of ourselves than we ought. We all naturally imagine that we deserve something better than we have. It is an old sin. It began in the garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve thought they had not got everything that their merits deserved. It is a subtle sin. It rules and reigns in many a heart without being detected, and can even wear the garb of humility.”
Thanks for doing this. I have been reading your blog for several months and joined Friends of the Blog this week. My son is at T4G and has called quite a few times to tell me how incredible it has been. Thanks for your lobby blogging of the conference so that those of us who couldn’t be there could envy even more those of you who could attend.
It’s great to be reading another book with everyone. I focused on this line: “In time of temptation, apprehensive consciences look so much to the present trouble they are in that they need to be roused up to behold him in whom they may find rest for their distressed souls.”
I hope to check out some of the other readers’ posts. I’ve posted my thoughts here: http://quercuscalliprinos.blogspot.com/2010/04/reading-classics-with-cha…
Jude
Carole - Great Ryle quote. Where is that from?
Find it here: http://www.mountzion.org/fgb/Spring99/FgbSP6-99.html
It’s excellent.
New to reading these kinds of books, to my shame. I have a little different take than the comments I read.
I came away wondering if Sibbes would think me Christian. My conversion experience was intense; almost Damascus road like. But it took time for me, after following Christ, to come to the point of having any understanding of being a ‘bruised reed.’
The misery that Sibbes discribes was absent, at least to my conscience mind. Oh, there was misery, but a misery born out of my sudden knowledge that Jesus was indeed Lord and Savior, and I had cursed him for 33 years. The understanding of my miserable sin came later.
This is my first experience at doing this, but I will stick with it. I am sure there is much for me to learn.
I am like Peter, until I was bruised, ‘I had more wind in me than pith…’God does the bruising for a reason, so often I have had a hard time accepting that God is doing the bruising. I am thankful for God’s grace moving me from ‘grace to glory, because my heart is too many times unyielding and intractable.’This book is hitting at my heart.
Sorry, my post was supposed to include-
Richard Baxter’s article on Pride is excellent and found here:
http://www.mountzion.org/fgb/Spring99/FgbSP6-99.html
Carole—let us know where you pulled that JC Ryle quote from.
I can tell this book will be very inciteful. I am a bruised reed and deservedly so. These bruisings bring us closer toChrist under the loving hand of the Master.
I can tell this book will be very inciteful. I am a bruised reed and deservedly so. These bruisings bring us closer toChrist under the loving hand of the Master.
This quote delighted my heart, “God the Father, the party offended by our sins, is so well pleased with the work of redemption!” For if God is well pleased with the work of his Son, then I have great hope that my offense to God is well covered.
When I read this sentence, “After conversion we need bruising so that reeds may know themselves to be reeds, and not oaks”, I thought of Isaiah 61:1-4 which describes Jesus’ mission. According to vs. 3, it seems that at least part of the goal of His mission is: “that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (ESV)
So I guess I’m wondering: When do bruised reeds become oaks of righteousness that bring Him glory?
I loved what Sibbes wrote regarding the heroes of the Bible: “The heroic deeds of those great worthies do not comfort the church so much as their falls and bruises do.”
And we should not judge others who receive a bruising: “Ungodly spirits, ignorant of God’s ways in bringing his children to heaven, censure broken-hearted Christians as miserable persons, whereas God is doing a gracious, good work with them.”
I have followed your blog for some time and have made a comment here and there, but this is the first time to read a classic with you. It was the title of this work “The Bruised Reed” that drew me in. I was exceedingly bruised at conversion and the bruising continues even to this day, although it is a different manner of bruising. I am drawn to many of the same passages as others who have commented, but it is this passage that speaks to me - “Our hearts, like criminals, until they be beaten from all evasions, never cry for the mercy of the judge.” From time to time, in conversation with others, I speak of the blackness of my heart. Some of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ don’t fully appreciate why I use this phrase. And that is okay - but, to me it exemplifies the state in which my Redeemer found me. And although I am now quickened, made alive unto Christ, I continue to know what ones heart is capable of save for grace as found in Christ. Yes, we are bruised “…that we may understand ourselves to be what indeed we are by nature.”
Whew. This comment is a tad long - I’ll work on that.
Great read!
I liked this:”Again, this bruising makes us set a high price upon Christ. Then the gospel becomes the gospel indeed; then the fig-leaves of morality will do us no good. And it makes us more thankful, and, from thankfulness, more fruitful in our lives;”May I ever be mindful of the price Christ paid for me and thankful for the gracious, good work God is doing in me!
And Cheryl,may we - humbled by His grace and mercy and love - become oaks of righteousness that bring him glory.
This is going to be a powerful book. I am looking forward to finding all the hidden treasures this book has to offer!
I also enjoyed the first chapter. This may say somethiing about how often I read the Scriptures, but I did not immediately recognize the phrase “bruised reed.” I’m sure I’ve read Isaiah 42 before and I know I’ve read Matthew. I guess that particular phrase never stuck with me before. I’m now quite sure that the next time I read these passages or hear them in churcfh, I will think of Sibbes’ book.
Looking forward to the next two chapters.
I am a bruised reed. As I juggle caring for my mom with Alzheimer’s, it’s bringing out lots of junk in me.
Chapter 1 hit home. So I wrote more about being a bruised reed on my blog here.
http://lisanotes.blogspot.com/2010/04/bruised-reed.html
Looking forward to reading more from Sibbes and more of everyone’s comments.
I had to read and reread this chapter several times. Each time I gathered a different “pearl or diamond.”
As much as I don’t want to be a bruised reed, I am thankful that God loves me enough to bring me to my knees using whatever means he sees fit to break my pride and humble me before him. I am grateful that Christ was willing to be bruised for me so that my sins could be forgiven and I could be reconciled to God.
I loved the insight that God bruises us so that we will appreciate Christ more.
As I was walking with my wife last night I came to the realisation that part of the reason why I stress less than her about things is that when I was at university, I failed a couple of subjects, and yet God continued to look after me, directing me into a course, and therefore a job, that I find much more enjoyable, and that allows me more time to serve Him.
Sometimes it takes ‘difficult’ periods in our life for us to truly understand the goodness of God, and His faithfulness to us in all things.
Such a timely book
Wouldn’t you just know it. I check this blog, like 15 different times, from 6 AM until 9 AM and not post. I figure: “Tim’s on his way back from T4G and may have to move this post back to Friday. He’s also got all these other sites and podcasts he’s starting up, so maybe it slipped his mind.” So now, the first chance I’ve had to check in again I find that I missed him by “that much” (quoting Max Smart). Oh well.
Here are a few of my thoughts on chapter one:
This is first-rate pastoral work by Sibbes. It’s also vitally necessary today. As I mentioned, we don’t like to be in pain. Don’t agree? Just walk down the “Pain Relief” aisle at your local supermarket. We’re not different when it comes to emotional or spiritual anguish; we don’t like it, we don’t want it. You’d think that with this great dislike of such suffering, we’d jump at the opportunity to be rid of it. However, we don’t; because it seems like pain to our sin-saturated hearts to acknowledge that we can’t fix ourselves, that Someone else must do it.
The rest of my post can be seen over at http://insidepastorkevinshead.blogspot.com/2010/04/bruised-reed-reading-…
Thanks Tim, and look forward to next week’s postings.
“He is sensible of sin and misery, even unto bruising; and, seeing no help in himself, is carried with restless desire to have supply from another, with some hope, which a little raises him out of himself to Christ, though he dare not claim any present interest in mercy.”
Like so many others, I am a bruised reed as well, this quote very aptly describes my own bruising. I am looking forward to more from Sibbes.
I grew up being taught that Jesus was broken so that we didn’t have to be. I’m so glad for the open Bible which says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat 5:3). I’m thankful for the bruising that made me feel it.
Bruising is not something to be scorned any more.
It is so helpful to think about God’s design to bring about ultimate blessing for us, in bruising. Sibbes is beautifully concise and poetic.
Thanks all.
I was really surprised by how short the chapter is. Short, but rich! I look forward to the rest of the book. I wrote my reaction, which focuses on what I need to remember during a time of bruising, to this chapter on my blog.
I’ve been a believer for almost 50 years. I read a lot of Puritan material in my late teens and learned a lot - even though the flowery language, whilst beautiful, irritated my ‘I want the truth and I want it now!’ approach to life! Then I changed my reading (and to some degree, my theology), but returning to this book after several decades is a refreshing oasis in the desert….modern books are so, well, naive springs to mind. Much bruised over the years, it has always been an honour to share in a very small way, with the Master’s bruising….thank you!
Paul, that quote by Ryle is from Expository Thoughts on The Gospels: Mark. I don’t own the book, although I own quite a few other books by Ryle.
Like Em (Comment #7), I was struck by Sibbes observation:
“It is no easy matter to bring a man from nature to grace, and from grace to glory, so unyielding and intractable are our hearts”.
I was completing my reading of John Owen’s “The Glory of Christ” when I started reading “The Bruised Reed”. In Chapter 12 of Owen’s book, I noted something that sounded very similar to Sibbes:
“Grace renews nature; glory perfects grace; and so the whole soul is brought to its rest in God. We have an image of it in the blind man whom our Saviour cured (Mark 8:22—24). He was absolutely blind—born so, no doubt. Upon the first touch his eyes were opened and he saw, but very obscurely; he saw men walking like trees. But on the second, he saw all things clearly. Our minds in themselves are absolutely blind. The first visitation of them by grace gives them a sight of things spiritual, heavenly, and eternal; but it is obscure and unsteady. The sight of glory makes all things clear.”
Perhaps Owen was influenced by Sibbes writing to recognize a “nature-grace-glory” progression in the things of God with His people. It is wonderful to see how two great Puritan minds thought alike with simple profoundness.
Am enjoying this book so far. One of the bits I underlined as I was reading comes from the section on “The Good Effects of Bruising”:
“This bruising makes us set a high price upon Christ. Then the gospel becomes the gospel indeed; then the fig leaves of morality will do us no good. And it makes us more thankful, and , from thankfulness, more fruitful in our lives . . .”
So this bruising, this weakness, levels pride by making us value Christ above our false moralities, for which we can give thanks! Ironic, isn’t it, that a weak, bruised plant would be the plant bearing fruit?
Well said, Cathy McKay: ” I grew up being taught that Jesus was broken so that we didn’t have to be. I’m so glad for the open Bible which says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat 5:3).
What sweet relief the last thoughts from this chapter bring. I long for the balm of this truth (that God’s making broken-hearted Christians is in fact his gracious, good work). I need often to be reminded of the freeing hope in this work of the Spirit.
Thank you Dr. Sibbes!
Amen! This quote particularly stood out to me as well.
Yes, we need to be bruised. Yes, He deals with pride and other sin in our lives in the process of bruising. But what a comfort to me personally knowing that He will not break a bruised reed. He will not allowed us to be bruised beyond what we are able to endure.
I’m a little late to the party, but I’m somewhat surprised that no one has mentioned this quote:
“Such bruising may help weaker Christians not ot be too much discouraged, when they see stronger ones shaken and bruised.”
Sometimes I think that as a “mature” Christian (Elder / Preacher within my church family), I’m expected to have it all together. But this is a powerful reminder that I shouldn’t have it all together, that showing that I’m weak and need to lean on Christ is just as important as being firm and passionate about what I teach.
I’m mindful of what Paul exhorts when he writes, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Even Paul would readily admit that he is a broken vessel in need of Christ.
It’s okay for every believer, especially those who are “strong” to show they are “weak” because we are “made strong out of weakness” and then Christ gets all the glory.
How rich and deep the comfort and encouragement contained in so few pages! Along with the many passages referenced above I was particularly heartened by this paragraph:
What a support to our faith is this, that God the Father, the party offended by our sins [oh, what great offense I have given to God the Father-Creator!], is so well pleased with the work of redemption! And what a comfort is this, that, seeing God’s love rests on Christ, as well pleased in him, we may gather that he is as well pleased with us [beyond imagining or grasping - that God could ever be “well pleased” with me: how I struggle to believe it is so, to trust that it is so because of Christ], if we be in Christ! For his love rests in a whole Christ, in Christ mystical, as well as Christ natural, because he loves him and us with one love [astonishing!]. Let us, therefore, embrace Christ, and in him God’s love, and build our faith safely on such a Saviour that is furnished with so high a commission. [And this final assurance: that we may build our faith safely, because of Jesus!]
Hallelujah!
Fishon: Your comments were interesting to me because you asked if Sibbes would consider you a Christian because you were not a bruised reed for any length of time before conversion, but much of your bruising came afterward. Sibbes and other puritans would not hold that there must be this “law work” prior to conversion or the conversion is suspect. They have been charged with this, but they believed God’s ways of drawing the sinner to himself is various. That being said, you were one of the few here who noticed that Sibbes talks about being bruised antecedently to regeneration. Sibbes wrote, “This bruising is a requirement before conversion “so the Spirit may make way for himself into the heart by levelling all proud, high thoughts, and that we may understand ourselves to be what indeed we are by nature..”
He is describing the same thing as Bunyan pictures in Pilgrim’;s Progress, the burden on the back. What is interesting about Bunyan’s allegory is that the burden didn’t fall off Christian’s back very soon. He went through the slough of despond and much more difficulties before seeing the cross and the burden falling. Later on Sibbes says that many become apostates afterward because they were never bruised reeds prior to conversion.
We don’t hear a lot of mention of a lengthy time of conviction prior to conversions in many modern testimonies. This was a common subject in puritan literature.
HiTim,
I am Venkatesh from India. I always wanted to join you guys in reading classics together but usually did not have the books you were reading. And to purchase something from Amazon and ship it to India is such a pain. But this time I did have The Bruised Reed and am glad to join you.
The first chapter was so soothing to my ears. I did have a bruising expericnce before I came to Christ, but nothing quite like what I had 2 years ago. I was moved to such despair from the fear of committing the unpardonable sin, that I almost felt that I should not exist anymore. I can honestly say that God emptied me. It was only through Pilgrims Progress and Bunyan’s autobiography that I started recovering. And it was only after that I came to believe in the Doctrines of Grace ;doctrines, which at one point seemed to be so repugnant became the sweetest things to my soul. And ever since that time, I have jumped into the YRR bandwagon. And here I am commenting on your blog!
Your comment was very helpful. It is indeed true that modern testimonies dont speak about bruising before conversion. Much of the Gospel preaching in my country never stresses the need for salvation but only offers it as some kind of a nice gift from a Heavenly Good Daddy. I myself came to an understanding of the greatness of God’s gift in Christ only a few years after my conversion when I had been thoroughly bruised and made to realize the wretchedness of my own nature. Bunyan’s works were instrumental in my life as well.
I just joined you all and love this idea of reading books together online. I read the first chapter but no need to add to the great comments.I wonder if there would ever be a way to have a live group chat for 1 hour on the days you meet? It could be a text chat or an audio chat. Is that too hard (or expensive) to do on the internet? I host women’s studies where we go through apologetic material (most recently The Case for the Real Jesus by Strobel and Hard Questions Real Answers by Craig) and I thought that doing something like this would be a nice change for summertime when we don’t meet in person weekly.