Bible Studies in the Gospel of Matthew

Bible Studies in the Gospel of Matthew
VIII

Matthew 5:5; 1 Peter 3:3-6 and 2:18-19; Philippians 4:5: Being meek is to be quiet and still, to accept what is coming, to be reconciled to grief and injustice, and to wait trustingly on God who is the just Judge who rewards. It is the opposite of being impetuous and having a quick temper, being angry and irritable, impatient and anxious; it is the opposite of arguing and quarreling, striking and rebelling; it is the opposite of hiring a lawyer to go after your neighbor.

One would think that those who make the most noise to lay hold of the greatest amount possible of earthly things would inherit the most, but it is the exact opposite: the meek shall inherit the earth.

Meekness is required to be able to keep God’s laws. The meek shall inherit all things, including heaven.

Meekness is also part of submission. Truthfully, the woman does not lose anything by being in submission; neither does anyone else. On the contrary! We win both earth and heaven by being submissive.

Meekness is mentioned in connection with the Lord being at hand. Phil. 4:5. When the Judge of all is at hand, whose eyes are like flames of fire, meekness immediately appears. Then all quarreling, the desire to argue, the desire to judge and conceitedness cease.

We are called to die with Christ, and when death enters in or is close at hand, we usually become quiet. Meekness is precious in God’s eyes, and in the eyes of all spiritual and God-fearing people. Our meekness is to be made known when it concerns us personally—our honor and gain—but not when we have to defend the truth of the gospel or when we must save the sheep and lambs from the wolf. Then we shall fight like men on the day of battle.