“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
(Matthew 5:5, NKJV)
This beatitude runs contrary to much of our American
attitude, where we are encouraged to be aggressive and confident in our lives,
striving for that which is bigger and better. When we look at those who are
touted in the media, whether its sports, or politics, business, or
entertainment we find countless stories of those who have boldly stepped out
and accomplished great things. Among these are people who widely vary in what
they believe (or don’t believe), including many Christians. Some of these people
are totally dependent on themselves, while others realize that they have been
enabled to accomplish these things.
Do any of these people qualify as meek? What was Jesus
talking about when He said, “Blessed are the meek”? What makes a person meek?
In order to consider what it is to be a meek person, let’s look at the concept
of meekness itself. Looking to a New Testament word study dictionary I read, “Meekness,
but not in a man’s outward behavior only, nor in his relations to his fellow
man or his mere natural disposition. Rather, it is an inwrought grace of the
soul, and the expressions are primarily toward God. It is that attitude of
spirit we accept God’s dealings with us as good and do not dispute or resist. [Meekness]
according to Aristotle, is the middle standing between two extremes, getting
angry without reason and not getting angry at all. Therefore [meekness] is
getting angry at the right time, in the right measure, and for the right
reason. [Meekness] is not readily expressed in English (since the term “meekness”
suggests weakness), but it is a condition of mind and heart which demonstrates
gentleness, not in weakness, but in power. It is a balance born in strength of
character.
While most English translations use the word “meek,” and recognizing
the true core of meekness is a form of gentle power, we find a varied
translation of this verse in the New American Standard where we read, “Blessed
are the gentle.” In this sense we have the picture possibly of the gentle
giant, who possesses great power, yet uses it with tender care stemming from a
considerate and sensitive heart.
Later in Matthew, we find this same word used again. Here is
used to speak of the God-man, Jesus Christ, who is the King of kings and Lord
of lords entering Jerusalem according to prophecy which was being fulfilled. “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold your King is coming to you, Gentle, and
mounted on a donkey, Even on a
colt, the foal of a beast of
burden.’” (Matthew 21:5, NASB95)
Jesus tenderly cared for those who were sick and struggling,
and Jesus firmly dealt with those who were harsh and hard hearted. He knew when
to reach out His hand to draw people in and when to hold up His hand to hold
back opposition. Though He was fully God, as man He willingly submitted Himself
to harsh treatment, scourging, and even being crucified in order to fulfill the
will of the Father. Being meek or humble really does seem to embrace knowing
how to walk rightly before men and how to stand strong as we submit fully to
God and whatever He might bring our way.
The apostles repeatedly were persecuted and even imprisoned
for the message they proclaimed. Yet we
read throughout the New Testament that when they presented the gospel they did
it with boldness, while humbly submitting themselves to God as sovereign over
how man might respond. Paul prayed in Romans 15:29-32 that he might be
delivered from these persecutors in the presentation of the gospel. In
Ephesians 6:17-19 he asked for prayer that he might be bold in presenting this
message, recognizing that he was ultimately in bondage to God. The apostle
Peter wrote, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to
make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is
in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” (1 Peter 3:15, NASB95)
James, the half-brother of Jesus wrote, “This you know, my
beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to
anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in
humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” (James
1:19–21, NASB95)
Clearly we see that this gentleness, meekness, or humility
is different than that which the world might paint. It is one that recognizes
that God is totally sovereign over the entirety of our lives as well as the
entirety of creation. As such, everything we think, say, or do is to be done
with this awareness and in subjection to His ultimate leading and hand in our
lives. A biblically meek person is one who is not big in himself, but one who
if he boasts does his boating in the Lord and not in his own arrogance (James
4:13-16).
The apostle Paul, recognizing his personal weakness, wrote, “And
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in
weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so
that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with
weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with
difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2
Corinthians 12:9–10, NASB95)
Continuing in our beatitude for the day we read, “for they
shall inherit the earth.” This is a quote of Psalm 37:11. I would encourage you
to take some time and read the entire psalm, but for now I have included a
brief portion which reads, “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not
yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those
who wait for the Lord shall
inherit the land. In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you
look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit
the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. The wicked plots against the
righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for
he sees that his day is coming.” (Psalm 37:8–13, ESV)
With Jesus quoting this psalm we clearly can see the end
time promise that one day evil will be broken and finally defeated. Even in the
hope of the millennial reign when Jesus returns with His saints to rule the
earth in a time of peace and righteousness we see the great hope that we are
given that our God wins. In fact, He has already won. Evil is allowed for a season
while His church is being built and people are turning to Christ for salvation.
But one day this door will be closed, the last person will be saved, evil will be
put down, and the meek will indeed inherit the earth. And beyond that we have the
ultimate promise that our God is preparing a new heaven and a new earth which
will last forever and ever.
Knowing the ultimate outcome, we really have nothing to fear
here and now. For even in death there is great victory, knowing that we step
out of these bodies and into the presence of our Lord while we await the
upcoming great and final victory awaiting us all. And in our present trials we
are given many assurances in God’s Word that God will never leave us nor
forsake us, and that he encloses us before and behind, making us able to stand
under any trial which He allows into our lives.
Those who hope in God and not in themselves, find as their
ultimate hope the promises of a great and eternal inheritance given to us in
Christ. This is a certain fact which makes all that we struggle with here and
now tolerable, finding our joy in God so that we might persevere.
Beatitude facet number 3: “Blessed are the meek, for they
shall inherit the earth.”
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