The Meek (Matthew 5:5)
In seeing that they were spiritually poor, and then mourning for what they had done, they then become meek.
Someone once asked me how someone who is meek can inherit the earth seeing as they are weak. I explained that being meek doesn’t mean you’re weak, it doesn’t mean that you are shy, easily pushed around and allow people to walk all over you. The meek are those who are humble, they’re not easily pushed around. They have a controlled strength. They are not interested in self gain and can submit to proper authority. The don’t seek to manipulate or seek the downfall of others so that they can succeed.
There are many example of this in scripture:
Genesis 13:7-11 – Abraham was Lots uncle, and so by rights, he should have chosen were to go. In fact he could have just sent Lot away. Instead, for the sake of peace, he allowed Lot to choose where he wanted to go, even though he was more than likely going to choose the better land.
Numbers 12:1-9 – Aaron and Miriam spoke harshly against Moses because of his wife. Moses could have retaliated, but he didn’t. Instead, God was the one who spoke on his behalf, God was the one who reprimanded Moses' brother and sister. Even when God did punished Miriam, Moses pleaded for her to be healed. He didn’t enjoy seeing his sister suffer even though it was justified.
Our ultimate example of meekness is found in Jesus himself.
Philippians 2:5-8 – Jesus was God and man, however, he didn’t seek special praise or treatment. He did things that were meant for a servant to do, such as the washing of the disciples feet.
Mark 15:16-20, 29-32 – the were many opportunities for Jesus to retaliate and prove to the people who he was. He even could have asked God to take him down from the cross, but he knew that the consequences of that would have been worse for us than anything he was going through. Imagine being mocked by the people you are trying to save.
1 Peter 2:21-23 – Jesus’ response to those who mocked him is what God is looking for.
The Blessing
The promise for the meek, is that they will inherit the earth. They are rewarded with something that they didn’t have to fight for. There is a confidence that God will not see them missing out, so they won't need to pull other’s down or manipulate and cheat their way through life.
Peace is their reward. Someone who is constantly scheming to get to the top, has no peace because they are always watching their back. But someone living a life of humility, is at peace because having and being the best is not the be all and end all. They know that they have what is most important.
Previous Post in this series: Those Who Mourne
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