THE "TO BE" ATTITUDES: BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

The third Beatitude is Matthew 5:5:

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.



Meek. Yeah. That’s about Jesus turning the other cheek, right?

No. Turning the other cheek is about forgiveness.

Then meek is about us being gentle all the time, like Jesus was, right?

Jesus at the temple with whips? Jesus wasn’t always gentle.

Then what does it mean? Why does Jesus want us to be weak and timid?

He doesn’t.
　

BEING MEEK

Contrary to the way the word meek is used in the modern world, a meek person in scripture is humble. He is kind during adversity. He has self control. He is obedient to God.

A person who is meek is overcome by God’s greatness and counts his own life as nothing. He has good will toward man and reverent obedience to God

Moses was meek:

Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. (Numbers 12:3)

　
God prized Moses. He was meek but he was strong. God gave Moses stewardship over the 10 Commandments. God allowed Moses to stand in His presence. God handpicked Moses to lead His people out of bondage to the very riverbank of their deliverance.

Meek does not mean weak.

The Greek word for meek, is praus. It referred to strong, domesticated animals such as a horse or ox that are disciplined to be used by man.

Similarly, the word meek used in Matthew 5:5 refers to a strong person who is disciplined, under obedience to God and can be used by God. She is controlled in her thinking, speaking, will and action.

A person who is meek has strength. He has the strength to not submit to his own will or to the world’s will. He submits only to the will of the all-powerful, mighty, gracious and loving God of the universe.

A meek person is bold. She speaks with confidence about Jesus and what he has done in her life. Her faith is strong. She trusts in her savior who is mighty in the world and mighty against Satan.

We become meek because we see God in everything. It immediately humbles us. We do not say, "I can do all things." Rather we say, "I can do all things through Christ." (Phillippians 4:13)

We see that God is big and we are little. We submit to God’s will in all things.

　

WHY DO THE MEEK INHERIT THE EARTH?

After all, shouldn’t we prefer to inherit heaven?

Well, we do. And we will. But think about how Jesus taught. Many biblical scholars believe "the earth" here in Matthew referred to the Promised Land. Not the Promised Land of the Jews wandering through the desert; but the eternal Promised Land of heaven that we souls seek as we wander through the spiritual desert on planet Earth.

Other scholars believe "the earth" refers to the restored earth in the messianic age. That day when Jesus returns. When we have that second heaven and second earth. (Revelation 21)

Modern society makes us feel like the wicked are rewarded here on earth. But Jesus assures us that He will be victorious over evil. He wins. And if we are on his team; a member of his army—we win, too.

But part of Jesus’ teaching is that we have to "inherit" the earth. As meek folk, we would never aggressively seize it as our personal prize. Instead, the meek will inherit the earth (heaven or New Earth) as a legacy. As children of God.

How cool is that?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please make us meek. Please remind us how undeserving we are and how great and mighty you are. Thank you for your promised blessing that we will inherit your kingdom as your adopted children. We love you so. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Have you found any different interpretations of inheriting the earth? What makes the most sense to you?