RUSSELL SANDERS
6-28-2020
BLESSED ARE THE MEEK
Jesus started His “sermon on the mount” with what we call the “beatitudes.” Some of these “blessed” seem to defy the carnal wisdom of the world, often making it difficult for people to see how the “Be-attitudes” could work out in “real” life.
We will look at one in Matthew 5:5 that says,
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
This is also found in Psalm 37:11,
“But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
Many people are dismayed at this because they correlate “meek” with “weak.” Indeed, one alternate dictionary definition is “submitting tamely when ordered about or injured by others. That is NOT the meaning here.
The primary definition is “not easily angered; mild; patient.” Older meanings at the time the English bible was translated also mean “gentle; courteous; kind.” This is the correct meaning. It lines up with other scriptures.
The “fruit of the (Holy) Spirit” as seen in Galatians 5:22-23 includes
“peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness…, meekness.”
This “fruit” all lines up with the spirit or characteristic of the “meek.”
Galatians 6:7 says,
“…whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
When your character manifests these qualities, it comes back to you in a good way.
What is this
“shall inherit the earth”
part about? Good question. It is prophetic about our future estate. That is a blessed promise for the “meek”.
We shall inherit the earth literally in Jesus’ future kingdom. He is raising up his faithful ones to be Kings and Priests (priestly kings) in His kingdom that He will establish on Earth with the New Jerusalem as its capitol over the world. We will be given dominion over the piece which He assigns to us. We inherit it to rule on His behalf and in His name. We inherit the Earth.
Some think this will be during His millennial reign; or it could be on the “new earth,” as this heaven and earth shall pass away, and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1; Isa. 65:17.)
Yes, God will destroy this earth and create a new earth. Wouldn’t that be quite a reward to be a priest-king in His new earth?
This reward comes for manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives “in the here and now.” Let us be faithful to do so.
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