Meekness does not mean remaining quiet when we see injustices take place in the world around us or simply sitting back and taking abuse in our families, in our church, and in our world. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. 'Blessed are' in the Bible. 7 Blessed … Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 6 Hughes, R. K. (2001). A very good example of true meekness was Moses. Eventually the kingdom of Messiah will move to the new earth ( Matthew 21:1). Or is my prosperity the driving force in my life? We must cry out for the Holy Spirit to bear the fruits of humility, self-control, and gentleness in our lives. But Jesus preaches a different message here. “Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount so that his Father would get the glory for the way the disciples lived,” preached John Piper, “His aim was to create a lifestyle in his disciples that would make people think about the value of God.”, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. The supreme παράκλησις is Christ. In Matthew 5:5, Jesus referred to Psalm 37:11, which says, “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.” The meek “humbly acknowledge their dependence on the goodness and grace of God” (NIV Study Bible). Application Question: How is God calling you to pursue growth in meekness? Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural. First, we must understand what it means to be blessed. This means that people intellectually recognize that there is nothing in them that would commend them to God. This concept is also reflected in Psalm 37, in which Matthew 5:5 was originally quoted. When people attacked his own interests he left it in the Lord’s hands. Not altogether. For the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:4-7) when we seek to imitate our Savior. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. Matthew 5:5 is included in the well-known Biblical text called the Beatitudes, “virtues that should characterize those who are ready for the kingdom and to assure them of blessing and reward when it comes” (Moody Bible Commentary). I will advise you as I look you in the eye. humble. This caused great strife in his family—strife which continues today between Jews and Arabs. It is not the profession which makes us like Jesus- but imitation” (thegospelcoalition.org). Note that most translations, regardless of the time period, keep very similar wording – with one modern exception. — Matthew 5:5. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. "Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable". We see multiple examples in Scripture of Christians speaking and acting boldly. A deeper look at its true meaning explains why such a characteristic is a rare commodity. At least, it fits the bill for the Roman emperors during the time of Jesus. "Commentary on Matthew 5:5". We’ll twist and pervert Scripture to make it fit our desires, or we’ll reject it outright. We begin to understand that in God’s economy, the first will be last and the last will be first. The blessedness is from God’s perspective, not our own. The point is, however, that if a gentle/meek spirit is not at least imperfectly present in your life, if it is not incipient and growing, you may very well not have the smile of Christ, which is everything.6. "Commentary on Matthew 5:5". Paul said in Ephesians 4:15 that we must speak the truth in love. The world is constantly ruled by the spirit of more. Proverbs 16:32 says, “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” When we pursue Christ, He challenges us to replace our pride with meekness. When Faith Passes the Test (Gen. 22:1-19), The Bible Teacher’s Guide, The Sermon On The Mount: Experiencing God’s Kingdom On Earth. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. God has blessed them and made them meek, and it is because they are the blessed ones of God that they will ‘inherit the earth’, both in terms of enjoyment in this earth, and, in the final consummation, in the new earth. It is a spiritual prosperity, not necessarily an earthly happiness. We are not naturally inclined to meekness because of the fallen world we live in and the sinful nature we are born with. Besides writing, she leads a Bible Study for Women and serves as a Youth Ministry leader in her community. Sustain us when the waters threaten to sweep us up and steal our focus. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. But there is also a present inheritance that abundantly enriches our earthly existence. What Does Jesus Mean by "Blessed Are the Meek" in Matthew 5:5? That the meek should find a foremost place in the kingdom of heaven is very intelligible, but “inherit the earth”—the land of Canaan or any other part of this planet—is it not a delusive promise?