Bruised and Broken Branches

People of the Almighty occasionally struggle to be Children of Light.  We deplete the oil in our lamps, and refuse to allow the Ruach HaKodesh(Holy Spirit) to refill them.  Our light fades because we disconnect from the Father of Lights (James 1:17).  

The Almighty is merciful with those whose Menorah light grows dim.  He avoids breaking a bruised reed or quenching a smoldering wick (Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20).  Kaneh, the Hebrew word for reed, is the name for the side branch of a Menorah.  A bruised reed (kaneh) is one of the Menorah’s damaged branches (kanim).  Like a bruised reed, a damaged branch only requires re-attachment to the Menorah’s middle branch to function with light.

Menorah branch and reed share the common root kanah.  Kanah means to acquire, buy, or possess.  The idea behind this root is that the  Almighty originates, creates, and redeems people.  

A smoldering wick depicts the expiring light of a Menorah lamp.  The wick is ready to be extinguished.  It has some heat and a little light.  But, it is smoky and offensive.  People deeply desire to live as Menorahs for the Most High, and hold up the light.  But, they are bruised reeds and smoldering wicks.  

The Heavenly King will not break them nor extinguish them.  A bruised reed only needs to be supported to grow strong again.  The smoldering wick only needs to be tended to produce a bright flame.  Yeshua holds up shattered people until they are strong enough to shine again. 

Published May 23, 2017