Matthew 5:5

As I started to dig a little deeper into the text I learned some neat and I may say humbling stuff about the meek. Stuff that, when I look in the mirror I wonder if I’m meek at all. Of course I want to be and try to be but am I? I think this is one of those virtues that you can’t see in yourself though. It’s kind of like humility. Nobody can say, “look at me, I’m so humble” it’s a self refuting statement. Humble people don’t boast about being humble. They probably actually see themselves as pride beings. Only someone from without can see this virtue. I think meekness is very closely related to humility in this sense. However this blog post isn’t about meekness, I would refer you to John Gill, Matthew Henry, and John Calvin’s commentary for insight into this portion of the text but be ready to be humbled.

My thinking on this verse was more on the inheriting the Earth portion of it. I will say that I didn’t feel satisfied after consulting every commentary I have access to. This is not normal for me and I was hoping that as I looked at the next one it would confirm what I was thinking but it didn’t. Maybe I’m wrong on this and I very may well be but I don’t feel like I am. I will say that I don’t feel comfortable disagreeing with what I would consider giants of our faith. I will also say that it wouldn’t be the first time. It also wouldn’t be the first time I would be wrong in that disagreement, but once again I don’t think I’m wrong.

Here is my thinking.

The meek here are obviously Christians as all the beatitudes are aimed at Christians. It say’s that the meek will inherit the Earth. One commentator mentioned our current temporary inheritance of a piece of Earth. Another commentator mentions that this is a future expectation that will be fulfilled on the New Earth after God burns up this Earth. I have many reasons to disagree with these expostions of the text.

Let’s start with where I think Jesus had in mind to start when He said it. Jesus is simply quoting an Old Testament text, Psalm 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 

I don’t think Jesus would just want to take half a verse out of context and us not understand the immediate context. This is what we call the “analogy of faith” or simply “sacred scripture is it’s own interpreter.” Meaning we can’t take one verse and make it mean something that the context doesn’t mean.

So let’s look at the context. This Psalm is giving consolation to the saints of God by showing that they will prosper and the wicked will be cut off! Though it may look like the wicker are prospering God will destroy them! It tells the saints to do things such as “delight in God,” “trust in God,” “rest in God,” and “wait upon the Lord.” We are to do this because we know that God will build His Kingdom!

In this Psalm God also say’s, “The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.” So where is their inheritance? We know because this Psalm tells us and Jesus reiterates it in Matthew! Our inheritance is on Earth and according to this verse in the very same Psalm this inheritance is forever!

Now I know that we know what forever is but let me expound a little more on this. I know their are Calvinist’s that will fight tooth and nail that eternal life means eternal life. Not that we can have eternal life, then not have eternal life, then once again have eternal life. That’s not eternal by nature! This Hebrew word is the same word that was used in Genesis 3 after Adam ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God said, “and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.” That’s the same word! Do you think God meant that Adam would live for a time then die or that meant that if he ate he would live forever? Meaning never ceasing to live! I argue the latter. Just as I’d argue that we have already begun to have our inheritance on the Earth and it will never end!

Now before I get burned at the stake for people thinking I’m teaching heresy let me explain a little! Do I reject that Heaven exists? Absolutely not! Do I believe that as a Christian if I die today I will be IN Heaven? Of course I do! What I believe it’s talking about here is that the meek are Christians in general. Not necessarily just me! I don’t think Jesus is saying that each individual Christian will be forever on their inheritance which is this Earth but that Christians in general will inherit this Earth and at the consumation we will inherit every bit of it! Kind of an already, not yet dynamic. We are already inheriting the Earth but we have not yet completely inherited the Earth.

In closing I have one last thing to mention about this. I believe this is part of the New Covenant blessing of the gospel going forth to all nations! In the Old Covenant the ordinances of God remained in one nation in their little piece of land in the middle east. However, by the blood of the Eternal Covenanter, He has promised that He will save to the uttermost. People from every kindred, tribe, tongue, and nation! By the spread of the Gospel God’s people will inherit the Earth for His name’s sake. May the Lamb who was slain receive the reward of His suffering!

For His Glory!

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