What Does "Blessed Are the Meek" Really Mean?
I hated this idea. “You are in your happy place when being quiet and easily imposed upon?" Please! Then I found a definition that flipped my understanding.
When Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” I was not a fan.
“You are in your happy place when you are quiet and easily imposed upon?”
REALLY?
Happily, no.
My favorite site for research, BlueLetterBible.org said that “meek” does mean “mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit.”
But then, for those of us who struggle with that, the site added a brief, unusual commentary.
Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT [Old Testament], the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time (Isa 41:17, Luke 18:1-8). Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God’s goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will (Gal 5:23).
“You are in your happy place when you accept the Lord’s dealings with you as your greatest good.”
We get to live without trying to be the one who’s controlling the universe.
When Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” that does seem backwards to the world’s ways. We shouldn’t bother trying to push our way ahead? Our inheritance comes to us as we trust that what the Lord does is good?
Okay!
Lord, thank you that when we read the scripture, we don’t see a bunch of compliant, submissive folks who happily allow themselves to be imposed upon. Ha!
Rather, we see so many beautiful, varied personalities: the bluntness of Peter, the strength of Elijah, the sweetness of Dorcas, the determination of Paul.
Thank you that you love all of us, in whatever state you find us, and that you offer us your goodness. Amen.
Do what is right,
Amy Joy
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