Blessed are the meek

[jsimms615]

I have been listening to some of John MacArthur's messages on the Beatitudes. Recently heard the one on "Blessed are the meek" Matthew 5:5. I looked up a couple of the words used in this verse:
Meek- Praus- mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit
Inherit- Kleronomeo- to receive the portion assigned to one.
Some relevant cross references are:
Ps 37:1- says the meek will inherit the earth
Ps 147:6- says the Lord lifteth up the meek
Is 29:19 the meek will increase in the joy of the Lord
Matthew 11:29- Jesus calls himself meek and lowly in heart
John MacArthur said that meekness is a quiet, willing submissiveness to God, it is power under control.

It made me think about who is really meek today. We don't seem to value meekness as a society. We are a society that says do what you want. Do we really submit our will to God? What would it really look like if we did as a people? What would have to change?

 

[TrevorL]

Howdy jsimms615,

Greetings. I enjoyed your comments on meekness and how our society does not teach this. Perhaps this reveals that many in our society are nominally Christian, but do not reflect the character of Christ and his disciples. We are not taught to wait for God, to have our hope in the future, or to trust in God to provide in our present circumstances. Our society applauds the human champion, the achiever, the orator, the wise of this world.

Your quotation is interesting:

"John MacArthur said that meekness is a quiet, willing submissiveness to God, it is power under control."

In other words meekness is not weakness, neither is it a reticent, weak, shallow character. Rather a meek person partakes of a strength that is greater than all the power, prowess etc of man, and as such his character should reflect the character of God's Servant / Son in whom God was well pleased Isaiah 42:1-7, Matthew 3:17, and who in his quiet way achieved the greatest victory over sin and all its effects, including death itself Matthew 12:18-21, and is soon to return to refresh and restore all things.

There are numerous examples of meekness in Scripture, and all the faithful ultimately will be the meek. One illustration is Abraham, who at first seemed to be promised greatness in this life Genesis 12:1-3, but found the outworking of this to be in God's hands and in God's time. Although the Divine blessing was to be channelled through Abraham, Abraham allowed Lot to choose the portion of the land, and Lot chose the fertile plain near Sodom. It was only then at the meekness of Abraham that the promise of the land was expanded or clarified in detail to include Abraham:
Genesis 13:14-15 (KJV): "14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever."

Paul expounds this promise showing that the seed here is Christ, and all the faithful who have believed these promises and are baptised into Christ will inherit this land promise:
Galatians 3:16 (KJV): "16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ."
Galatians 3:26-29 (KJV): "26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."

This is aptly summarised by Jesus:
Matthew 5:5 (KJV): "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."


Kind regards
Trevor

 

[plmarquette]

1 peter 3.4 special to God
Humility ...
sees a problem and takes care of it without fanfare , for it is the right thing to do Ecclesiastes 9.10

 

[OneOfTheMany]

1 peter 3.4 special to God
Humility ...
sees a problem and takes care of it without fanfare , for it is the right thing to do Ecclesiastes 9.10

 

[Beasley]

'willing submissiveness to God, power under control'

you have to know the Word to be submissive to it and you have to know you have access to the power of God to use it.

Christ lifted himself up to death, submitting to the will of the Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The believer has the same power. But, it is only operational under the filling of the Spirit, in fellowship with Christ. Without him we can do nothing and he does not fellowship with us when we are in sin. 1 John 1

Meekness, humility is being willing to learn the Word, who God is and how he operates and then taking what we learn and living by it.

 

[OneOfTheMany]

ummmmmm ok

You have to realize that you are nothing compared to God. That's it.

 

[A Brother In Christ]

I have been listening to some of John MacArthur's messages on the Beatitudes. Recently heard the one on "Blessed are the meek" Matthew 5:5. I looked up a couple of the words used in this verse:
Meek- Praus- mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit
Inherit- Kleronomeo- to receive the portion assigned to one.
Some relevant cross references are:
Ps 37:1- says the meek will inherit the earth
Ps 147:6- says the Lord lifteth up the meek
Is 29:19 the meek will increase in the joy of the Lord
Matthew 11:29- Jesus calls himself meek and lowly in heart
John MacArthur said that meekness is a quiet, willing submissiveness to God, it is power under control.

It made me think about who is really meek today. We don't seem to value meekness as a society. We are a society that says do what you want. Do we really submit our will to God? What would it really look like if we did as a people? What would have to change?

this is a jewish promise

hebrews 8:6,11:40 church has the best promise

on this earth we are suppose tobe pilgrams and stranger .. 1 peter 2:11

col 3:1-3 promised the heavens with Christ

 

[Ino]

I can't help but think of Monty Python everytime I hear the verse "blessed are the meek"
LOL!

 

[Proact]

What would have to change?

Attitude. This all starts at a very young age. Teach the children to respect and love their elders, parents, teachers etc not to mock them as you see on TV. Also teach them to be decent with others at home, in the highways, school etc. That will sum up in a sense of humbleness and meekness and respect of others.

 

[billychum]

I like the dispensational position (promise to Israel as stated above) or the position that one recieves the Holy Spirit through meekness which in turn blesses the believer.

Billy <><

 

[jsimms615]

this is a jewish promise

hebrews 8:6,11:40 church has the best promise

on this earth we are suppose tobe pilgrams and stranger .. 1 peter 2:11

col 3:1-3 promised the heavens with Christ

So, are you saying that if it is in Psalms that it is only a Jewish promise?
When I think of someone who is meek the immediate idea comes to mind as someone who allows himself to be pushed around. That is the world's definition of meek. Someone who allows themselves to get swindled and cheated and doesn't fight back. But, being meek doesn't mean lacking in power. It doesn't mean that we can't assert who we are as believers.
There is a lack of gentleness in the church today that was not a part of who Jesus was. Most of the time, he was very patient and gentle. I think of the time when Jesus' disciples are arguing about who is the greatest. Instead of a harsh rebuke, Jesus (who is walking ahead of them) turns and says, "What are you discussing?" That is so gentle compared to what they deserved. He saw it as a teaching opportunity though he had said something before about leadership and servanthood.

 

[A Brother In Christ]

this is a jewish promise

hebrews 8:6,11:40 church has the best promise

on this earth we are suppose tobe pilgrams and stranger .. 1 peter 2:11

col 3:1-3 promised the heavens with Christ

So, are you saying that if it is in Psalms that it is only a Jewish promise?
When I think of someone who is meek the immediate idea comes to mind as someone who allows himself to be pushed around. That is the world's definition of meek. Someone who allows themselves to get swindled and cheated and doesn't fight back. But, being meek doesn't mean lacking in power. It doesn't mean that we can't assert who we are as believers.
There is a lack of gentleness in the church today that was not a part of who Jesus was. Most of the time, he was very patient and gentle. I think of the time when Jesus' disciples are arguing about who is the greatest. Instead of a harsh rebuke, Jesus (who is walking ahead of them) turns and says, "What are you discussing?" That is so gentle compared to what they deserved. He saw it as a teaching opportunity though he had said something before about leadership and servanthood.

So do ... as Jesus did in Matt 23....

this is His work not the churches

we are called to love as He love the church .. john 13:34-35 , gal 6:10

Matt ... is written to the Jews

John 13-rev 4 is the church

 

[Tractor1]

Years ago in farming circles the term "meeked" was used in reference to the training a plow horse went through. A young powerful, untrained horse wasn't of much use in service, therefore, the younger animal was paired with an older one in an attempt to bring its power under control. Once the process was complete the animal was termed "meeked."

Christ asks us to do the same, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me..."(Matt. 11:29). Believer's strengths should be brought under Christ's control for useful service.

In Christ,
Tracey

 

[A Brother In Christ]

Years ago in farming circles the term "meeked" was used in reference to the training a plow horse went through. A young powerful, untrained horse wasn't of much use in service, therefore, the younger animal was paired with an older one in an attempt to bring its power under control. Once the process was complete the animal was termed "meeked."

Christ asks us to do the same, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me..."(Matt. 11:29). Believer's strengths should be brought under Christ's control for useful service.

In Christ,
Tracey

amen