The Power of Meekness

Let me set before you the scripture of Zephaniah 2:3 as an example of the 16 scriptures in both the old and new testaments dealing with the term "meek".

Zephaniah 2:3  Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek (humble - amp.) of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness (humility - amp.) (inquire for them, require them as vital - amp.): it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.

In "Webster's New World Dictionary” - the 1979 edition - the term "meek” seems to agree with the descriptive references of the Bible. "Patient and mild" are the definitions used, but then it gets worse - "too submissive and spiritless", are the further descriptions in the dictionary. My Merriam-Webster Thesaurus expands the term with these words; gentle, mild, tame, forbearing, lenient, tolerant, long-suffering, patient - all words which would make a good teacher or parent shudder. Without authority to back up those characteristics, anyone he or she was trying to teach would soon be out of control.

One thing we could agree on is that Jesus, who was described many times as "meek", is not a Lord who demonstrates any lack of control. In fact, Jesus sent His Holy Spirit into the earth as his omnipotent (Rev. 19:6) replacement. The word "omnipotent" is described in the Dictionary as having unlimited power or authority - a description which is so far removed from the term "meek” that we might quickly find ourselves in total confusion, trying to find any conjunction of these two forms of character. In plain words, the term "meek" could easily be replaced with the word, "impotent”.

But we know God's Word is true so we must readjust our thinking about the term, "meek" which is a term offered by the translators. May I offer this definition instead, Mr. Webster - "Easily taught." Let me reveal more of my premise.

Jesus teaches us about his requirements for His fellow Heavenly citizens in Matthew 3:18

Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

What do we adults know first and foremost about little children? Little children are not meek, according to the Bible's current descriptions. They are not naturally gentle, patient, long-suffering, poor and afflicted, oppressed and humble. As a grandmother, I have often made this observation - babies are learning machines. As a baby grows up, he generally becomes harder and harder to teach - consider the two year old - "Me do it!" which is just a mild example of the teenager and adult who will grow out of that two year old. We all know how hard-headed and hard-hearted teenagers are until they become adults and learn to disguise their willfulness.

No wonder Jesus teaches us in John 3:3  … Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Adults need to give up their "me do it" ways so they can be taught how God's Kingdom works. The mature adult needs to abandon his intellectualism and worldly ways to assimilate the character which God designed and demonstrates to us in the person of His Son, Jesus the Christ. Jesus referred to himself as "meek" as a way of teaching us that He is easily taught, obedient to His Father, ready to learn what problems need to be addressed and how to remove or destroy those problems.

Can we do that? Can we be born again, become a little child again so that we may be easily taught? Can we sustain that character without guile? Heaven knows we can't pretend to be easily taught. Can we learn what God's Word, Jesus himself says, without deception? Jesus tells us in Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

My fellow Kingdom dwellers, are we trying to deceive ourselves? Do we like to call ourselves "Christian" but indeed demonstrate a very unchristian character? Are we meek, humble, mild, easily taught? Or do we dwell in a spirit of pride, setting aside any teaching about God and His Kingdom as we revert back to that two year old character - "me do it!"

As we perceive within ourselves any spirit of pride, being stiff-necked, stubbornness, inability to learn, let us admit to these willful, and even sinful characteristics so that we might indeed be reborn as little children. Let us be ready to learn what God has to say about any situation and let us be sensitive to the leading of His Holy Spirit. God is our Father and Jesus is our Lord. The Holy Spirit lives within us and leads us into all truth. We can't let ourselves ever again be willful and disobedient, setting aside God's Word and saying to our Heavenly Father, "Me do it!"

Those who are to inherit the Kingdom of God, the meek of the earth, are those who are not only willing but eager to learn. Those who study themselves to spot and correct any error and those seek to honor God with childlike trust and agreement with His Word - Jesus, are those who are worthy to inherit God's Kingdom and able to deal with God's system, His way of doing things.

When we are not only willing but eager to learn, we can then say of ourselves that we are meek and agree with Jesus that we will inherit the earth. We are able and willing to continue learning what needs to be done and then we will do it. What better form of intelligence could we aspire to? When we acknowledge and use the intelligence God has built into our spirit, we can receive then the authority God wants to give us. Meekness is then indeed the ultimate intelligence and we do have that power to use as we honor God.

By the Holy Spirit, to the Glory of God
Merrellee Moore 10/1/2004

Numbers 12:3  (Now the man Moses was very meek (gentle, kind, and humble - amp.), above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

Psalms 22:26  The meek (poor and afflicted - amp.) shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

Psalms 25:9  The meek (humble -amp.) will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

Psalms 37:11  But the meek (in the end - amp.) shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Psalms 76:9  When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek (and oppressed -amp.) of the earth. Selah.

Psalms 147:6  The LORD lifteth up the meek (humble and downtrodden): he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

Psalms 149:4  For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek (humble) with salvation.

Isaiah 11:4  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek (the poor and downtrodden) of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Isaiah 29:19  The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 61:1  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek (poor and afflicted -amp.); he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Amos 2:7  That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek (those who are too humble to defend themselves - amp.): and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name:

Zephaniah 2:3  Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek (humble - amp.) of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness (humility - amp.) (inquire for them, require them as vital - amp.): it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.

Matthew 5:5  Blessed are the meek (mild, patient, long-suffering -amp.): for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek (gentle -amp)and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 21:5  Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek (lowly - amp.), and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

1 Peter 3:4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet (gentle and peaceful -amp.)spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.