Matthew 5:1-2 says, “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them…” Here, the Lord begins His Sermon on the Mount. This sermon is given to us in Matthew, chapters 5-7 and ends with the notation in Matthew 7:28-29, “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” The Lord taught with authority when He spoke. Nicodemus said to the Lord in John 3:2, “Rabbi, we know that thou art A TEACHER COME FROM GOD: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” However, the Lord Jesus was NOT a ‘teacher come from God.” He was much, much more. He was GOD COME TO TEACH! So, as we consider the words of the Lord, may we be aware that this is God Himself instructing us.

In Matthew 5:3-11, each verse begins with the word ‘Blessed’. This word literally means ‘Happy’. The Lord is instructing believers in this portion about how to be happy!

We read in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” We first read of this promise in Psalms 37:11 “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

Who are the meek? The word ‘meek’ comes from the Greek word ‘praus’ which means to be mild and humble. The meek are those who have gentle and forgiving temperaments. Those who are not easily provoked by personal attacks. Those who refuse to take offense, but are ready to endure anything rather than to give into any evil influence as we are instructed in Romans 12:21, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” The Lord Jesus said of Himself in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I AM MEEK and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” This meekness that is spoken of here is not a natural meekness, but is ours when we have Christ as our savior and yield to the leading of our Lord. Indeed, this meekness is supernatural and is so foreign to unbelievers in the world.

We read in Romans 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Meekness is not weakness, but true meekness manifests the power of God…the power to endure without seeking revenge.

The meek will “inherit the earth.” In our present dispensation, the meek have not inherited or received the earth. No, today the meek receive abuse, ridicule, etc. It is during the Lord’s 1000-year reign on the earth that the meek will then inherit the earth. We read in Matthew 25:31-34, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, INHERIT THE KINGDOM prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

While the time to inherit the earth is yet future, it is good to realize that meekness has its own rewards here and now. As we read in Psalm 37:11, the meek “shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Meekness creates peace in our souls so that no matter what we might have to endure, we can have the peace of God in our hearts at all times. Colossians 3:15 tells us, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (332.6)