October 31st, 2013

Matthew 5:5 — Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Are you meek? I fear I am not, but I trust that Jesus is making me so. Those who are meek are blessed. Those who are not meek cannot rely on being blessed

It’s worth considering what the words “blessed” and “meek” mean.
The word “blessed”, or (or more strictly the word translated as “blessed” — a distinction I shall make only once) is the Greek word “makarios”. Makarios goes far beyond our normal understanding of blessing. In classic Greek it is used for a God-like or God-given joyful state. In Matthew it is a statement of how God views those who are blessed. William Barclay contrasts is with human “happiness” by pointing out that happiness — as it’s first three letters imply — depends on happenings.

The word “meek” is the Greek word “praus” also carries far more weight than might understand. In fact the way we usually regard it carries connotations of gentleness and even weakness that is really the reverse of what is intended. Meekness might better be considered as “strength under control” — you might think of a magnificent stallion brought to answer to the bridle, with strength deployed to just the extent necessary to carry its master.
Matthew Henry points out that “meekness may be considered with respect to both God and our brethren”. In the beatitudes Jesus is quoting from Psalm 37 which beautifully lays out the need for meekness before God; Psalm 37:11 says “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” In Titus 3:2, Paul tells us “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. ”

Meekness played a prominent part in the spiritual makeup of some of the greatest people in scripture. Start with Jesus Himself — “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7). There is also His mother! What did Mary say to the angel Gabriel? “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” Then there’s Moses, of whom Numbers 12:3 says “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” Now Moses was no softy — remember when he broke the tablets of the law, and when he struck the rocks at the Waters of Mara? Then there’s Job. Job had plenty of reason to complain — but under pressure “Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

In his little book “The Quest for Meekness and Quietness Of Spirit”, Matthew Henry offers the following hints (I’ve updated the language a bit):

It’s a great list isn’t it? I’m working on it. Would you like to join me? Maybe you’ll progress faster than I do?