Untitled Sermon (9)

Meekness

Every single book in the Bible was written FOR us for application and understanding, but none of them were written TO us.

Every book in the Bible is a personal letter, a history book, or writing by a Prophet or an Apostle to a particular people at a particular time and for a particular reason.

To put it another way, we are reading other people’s mail.

Whenever someone today says, “Here’s what this Scripture means to me”, we should be the first to say, “It doesn’t matter what it means to you. It only matters what it meant to the original audience.” That is where we find out what the Bible truly means. Only after we do that can we then apply it to ourselves.

Scantlebury, Michael. Heaven and Earth: A Biblical Understanding (pp. 47-48). Word Alive Press. Kindle Edition.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 5:5.

11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 37:11.

3 Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Nu 12:3.

Definition

• The Greek word for meek, is praus, and was used to refer to domesticated animals. The word does not refer to a wild, unruly animal; it refers to a strong and powerful horse or an ox that was trained and disciplined so that it could be controlled by a human.

• The word meek used in Matthew 5:5 refers to a strong person who is under control—in essence a Holy Spirit led or controlled person. A meek person is a man or woman of God whose strength is controlled by the Lord. He or she is controlled by the Lord in thought, word, will, emotion, and action. The meek man is one who submits, not to his own will or to the will of the world, but to the great and gracious will of God.

• Meekness is the spirit of the New Covenant; as spoken about in Ezekiel 36:24-27. In the Hebrew this word is translated “WORN OUT”. It carries the understanding of someone who has exhausted all human strength. One who the fight has gone out of. Making one willing to now have the King to rule over us.

• A meek person is not a weak person. He is not wishy-washy, effeminate or timid. He is not someone who you can walk all over. A meek man is not passive and spineless. In fact, the meek man is just the opposite.

The one who has put their faith and their trust in Jesus Christ will be meek before God, but mighty and bold before the world and before satan. To the sinful world and to satan the meek person will be far stronger than they are.

• A meek person is the one who by faith sees God as great, and himself as nothing. And because of that, he submits to the righteous will of this great God.

• A meek person is the one who proclaims, “Not my will but Thine will be done.” He submits to the will of his Heavenly Father and does not argue with the Holy Scriptures where God’s will is clearly revealed.

Therefore, the meek Believer that is being led by God is having this quality of meekness

This is recorded for our admiration and instruction in Hebrews 11:24-26. Moses turned his back on worldly honours and earthly riches, deliberately choosing the life of a pilgrim rather than that of an aristocrat or a noble, which he was brought up under. He chose the wilderness in preference to the palace.

The humbleness of Moses is seen again when Jehovah first appeared to him in Midian and commissioned him to lead His people out of Egypt. “Who am I,” he said, “that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11). What lowliness these words breathe! Yes, Moses was very meek.

Scantlebury, Michael. Understanding the Kingdom of God and the Church of Jesus Christ (p. 82). Word Alive Press. Kindle Edition.

The word meek takes us into humility but lets analyze futher Moses case.

God comes down to describe why Moses is the most meekest man in the earth at that time.

God describes there relationship first – Its amazing that God doesn’t describe the way Moses was this deliverer but he makes mention of the intimacy of the relationship.

God says to them Listen to my words- God comes to Moses defense in His meekness.

He described his relationship with Prophets and Moses

One is based on visions and dreams – the other is based on Faithfulness in God’s House

His relationship is based on a face to face relationship.

Faithfulness is the characteristic of meekness

Faithfulness is seen as an attribute of God - And because God Himself is faithful, so are all His works faithful (and just, Ps. 111:7). His works are done in faithfulness

9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Co 1:8–9.

We know God is Faithful and that is His character and nature.

Faithfulness is worked out through a process of patience.

5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Heb 3:5–6.

If we search the Scriptures to find people that God used mightily you will see a common denominator in all of their lives – they were people that were proven faithful. Here are just a few examples: • Abraham proved himself faithful when he was willing to offer God his only son. • Noah proved himself faithful when he continued to seek God, even though he was surrounded by a world of heathens. • David proved himself faithful while he was a shepherd boy and protected his sheep from a lion and a bear. • Elisha proved himself faithful to serve Elijah for many years before he received his anointing. And the list could go on.

Scantlebury, Michael. Understanding the Dual Aspects of Faith (p. 10). Word Alive Press. Kindle Edition.

• Happiness is only available when something good happens, and then only for a temporary period. Once happiness is over, it is over. • However, joy is a by-product of the presence of the Holy Spirit and is always available to those who are Born-Again. When unbelievers face difficulties they have to endure them without having the ability to tap into happiness. On the other hand, Believers can face difficulties with the Holy Spirit and can therefore tap into Joy. A Believer can always rejoice (Philippians 4:4), but an unbeliever can never be in a state of happiness all the time, specially in difficult/trying circumstances.

Scantlebury, Michael. Understanding the Dual Aspects of Faith (pp. 10-11). Word Alive Press. Kindle Edition.

13 So Moses cried out to the LORD, “Please, God, heal her!”

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Nu 12:13.

Intercession for restoration of Miriam to come back to the camp. Before they can move and progress as a people. Look at Miriam’s sin keeping the whole company from moving forward. Our intercession should bring restoration and healing so that the purposes of God can continue. We should not be living in delay.

15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Nu 12:14–15.

Meekness involve a certain type of relationship

Meekness is characterized through faithfulness

Meekness brings restoration through Intercession

Meekness wants to see mercy expressed through healing

Meekness ask for the reconciliation ministry to take place

The earth as a inheritance

Inheritance

κληρονομέω (klēronomeō). vb. to inherit. To receive rights or real property in perpetuity by means other than purchase or exchange.

This word is the most common Septuagint translation of יָרַשׁ (yāraš, “to take possession”). While in the Septuagint klēronomeō may translate to instances of yāraš in which the beneficiary receives real property and possibly uses force, in the NT klēronomeō is used only of inheriting rights or intangible blessing by bequest, never of inheriting real property. (The one possible exception to this principle occurs in Matt 5:5, where the meek “inherit” [klēronomeō] the earth.) The NT instance of a divine being as subject of klēronomeō occurs in Heb 1:4, where Christ inherits (klēronomeō) a name from God. Galatians 4:30 quotes Genesis 21:10, in which the Septuagint says that Hagar’s son Ishmael will not gain the inheritance (klēronomeō, translating yāraš) due Abraham’s favored son, Isaac. Hebrews 12:17 uses klēronomeō in a similar way (although not directly quoting the OT) to reference Esau’s inability to inherit the birthright from his father Isaac. All other uses of klēronomeō reference blessings that Christians receive from God. The blessing is usually eternal life (Matt 19:29; Mark 10:17; Luke 10:25; 18:18) or the kingdom of God (Matt 25:34; 1 Cor 6:9, 10; 15:50; Gal 5:21).

κληρονομία(klēronomia). n. fem. inheritance. Property possessed by a lawful heir.

This word is the usual Septuagint translation of נַחֲלָה (naḥălâ, “inheritance”). In the NT, Heb 11:8 follows the Septuagint usage in its discussion of the klēronomia of Abraham. The term refers to temporal property as well in the Gospels (e.g., Mark 12:7; Luke 12:13) and in Acts 7:5. The other NT uses of klēronomia refer to the present right of Christians to receive future spiritual blessings (e.g., Acts 20:32; Gal 3:18; Eph 1:14; Heb 9:15; 1 Pet 1:4).

συγκληρονόμος(synklēronomos). adj. coheir. A person who shares in an inheritance with someone else.

This word is used in the NT to describe multiple people who inherit together the blessings of a relationship with God. Temporal inheritances in the Bible are usually disproportionally divided in favor of a particular heir, usually the oldest son, but, judging from sources contemporaneous with the NT, the concept and practice of coheirs was generally familiar in the NT world. In Romans 8:17, Paul calls Christians coheirs (synklēronomos) with Christ. Ephesians 3:6 states that Gentiles are joint heirs (synklēronomos) with the Jews of God’s promise. Hebrews 11:9 joins together Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as coheirs (synklēronomos). First Peter 3:7 describes husbands and wives as joint heirs (synklēronomos).

John W. Herbst, “Inheritance,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

For they shall inherit the earth.

10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,

and they shall reign on the earth

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Re 5:10.

In fact, most scholars who teach the futurist view readily admit that this passage is used incorrectly by the more popular “science fiction” type of futurist teachers and novelists. It is the famous “Left Behind” passage in Matthew 24: “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. . . . there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” (Matt. 24:37-39) When we discussed Matthew 24 in section 1, we explained how this passage is not talking about a secret rapture of Christians, but the second coming of Jesus, when He will wipe the unbelievers off of the earth. To confirm this, we can note that the ones who are seen taken away in this passage are not believers, as some futurist teachers say. Jesus is explaining just the opposite. In Noah’s day judgment came suddenly and swept the ungodly away. Noah and his family were left behind to inherit the earth. If we apply this, as Jesus did to His coming in judgment, then we will see Christians being protected in the arms of Jesus, as Noah was protected in the ark. Then the ungodly are swept away. After that the righteous are “left behind” to rule and reign with Jesus on earth. This is exactly what Jesus had taught His disciples in Matthew 13 in the parable of the wheat and tares: “So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there

Eberle, Dr. Harold R.; Trench, Martin. Victorious Eschatology: A Partial Preterist View . Worldcast Publishing. Kindle Edition.

“So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matt. 13:40-43) Jesus is very clear. It is the ungodly who will be removed, gathered, taken. It is the righteous who will be left behind to shine as the sun. Contrary to what the futurist would have Christians believe, we want to be “left behind” so we can rule and reign with Jesus in His kingdom on earth. Or as Matthew 5:5 tells us, the meek will inherit the earth.

Eberle, Dr. Harold R.; Trench, Martin. Victorious Eschatology: A Partial Preterist View . Worldcast Publishing. Kindle Edition.