The Meek (Part 3)

By Clifton Angel       “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). Meekness is not weakness; it is strength controlled. What is it that the meek shall inherit? Jesus certainly was not speaking of the physical earth or a physical kingdom. We have noted the possibility that this inheritance refers to the Christian’s physical blessings; however, the context of Matthew 5:5 and the citation of former scripture in the passage points to a spiritual inheritance more than a physical inheritance.     Jesus’ statement at Matthew 5:5 is indeed a recitation of Old Testament Scripture. “Those that wait for Jehovah, they shall inherit the land” (Psalm 37:9b, ASV). “The meek shall inherit the land” (Psalm 37:11a). “For such as are blessed of him shall inherit the land” (Psalm 37:22a). “The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell therein for ever” (Psalm 37:29). “Wait for Jehovah, and keep his way, And he will exalt thee to inherit the land” (Psalm 37:34). Indeed, David’s psalm is written after the promised land was allotted and inhabited by the Israelites (cf. Deuteronomy 7:1; Joshua 14:1–19:51; Psalm 78:55; 136:21–22; Acts 13:19); however, they continued to struggle with enemies of the region. When Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” He was speaking to descendants of the Israelites. He was speaking to students of the Old Testament who were familiar with the words of Psalm 37, and whose minds would certainly think of the land of promise given to their ancestors. Also, “earth” could be translated “land,” even at Matthew 5:5.     Furthermore, the old law contained “shadows of good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1). The passover lamb was a shadow of Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7). The passover feast was a shadow of the memorial of Christ (Matthew 26:26–29; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26). Could the promise and inheritance of the land of Canaan be a shadow of the church whose final destination is heaven? The church is called: “the house of God” (1 Timothy 3:15); “the temple of God" (1 Corinthians 3:16); “the body” (Colossians 1:24; Ephesians 1:22, 23); “the kingdom” (Colossians 1:13); “the bride” (Ephesians 5:21-33). Could it be called the promised or inherited land, also?     Finally, an inheritance is given by a paternal figure, a father. Through Jesus Christ, God the Father adds us to the church (Acts 2:47) and blesses us with all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3). Paul wrote, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:12–13).     Are you blessed? Are you meek? Are you a “partaker of the inheritance of the saints”?

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/