THE MEEK

KEY VERSES:

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Mat 5:5)

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

  Jesus said the first blessing. David, inspired by God, observed the same blessing in the psalm. Each have two parts. Part one in each are the promise of blessings, and part two are the blessings. The blessing is for the meek (part one), and the blessing is inheriting the earth. The Psalm explains the inheritance: delight in the abundance of peace. “Peace” is bliss!
  “Blessings” are things which further complete happiness. Such a state is one of “bliss.” Blessings, then, are a promise of bliss, and that state only exists in Paradise.
  Jesus indicated that the meek will have bliss, obviously in Heaven. Where does the part about “earth” come in? “Earth” without the capital “E” refers to “land” according to Strong’s Dictionary for Psalm 37:11 and is not necessarily on the planet Earth. In the Greek, in Matthew 5:5, the meaning is “soil.” Therefore, the blessing is not necessarily for Paradise on Earth, but ownership of land some place.
  Jesus included his blessing on meekness in a list of several others. Jointly, they are referred to as “The Beatitudes,” each representing states “of utmost bliss” (Merriam-Webster  Dictionary).
The key verse is for one particular attitude which is blessed – meekness, which is possessing humility, meaning not prideful nor arrogant. Meekness very well describes rebirth. Jesus said, “Marvel not; you muse be born again (John 3:7), then referred to the story of Moses, the vipers, the Jews, and the brass serpent on its pole (Num 21).
  With the example of that occasion long ago, Jesus meant to explain meekness with Old Testament symbolism. The Jews who looked up at the dead serpent realized that God had the power of life, and that they did not. They diminished themselves and elevated God. That is meekness – knowing our place relative to God. He is Supreme; we are not. He can save us; we cannot save ourselves.
David used some other “lyrics” to define meekness:

·         “Depart from evil, and do good” (Psalm 37:27), and “Trust in the Lord, and do good” (Psalm 37:3)

·         “Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness” (Psalm 37:3)

·         “Delight yourself also in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4)

·         “Commit your way to the Lord” (Psalm 37:5)

·         “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7)

·         “Wait on (perhaps “serve’) the Lord” (Psalm 37:9)

·         “Shows mercy and gives” (Psalm 37:21)

·         “Delights in His (God’s) Way” (Psalm 37:23)

·         “The righteous shall inherit the land” (Psalm 27:39)

·         “Speaks wisdom” (Psalm 37:30)

·         Is just. (Psalm 37:30)

·         Obey God’s Will willingly (Psalm 37:31)

·         Endure to the end (Psalm 37:31)

  That is quite a responsibility; no - a proper attitude; a beatitude. David wrote:

·         “They are preserved forever.” (Psalm 37:28)

·         They “shall inherit the land.” (Psalm 37:29),

·         And “dwell in it forever.” (Psalm 37:29)

  That’s sufficient. The promise of the bliss for meekness in “the land” called Heaven wherein the meek is “preserved  forever.” Just as with Abraham who was looking at the land of Paradise, and not really Israel, the “earth” or “land” to be inherited by the meek seems to be in the City of God.
Jesus said, “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). The meek shall inherit a mansion from their Father in Heaven. Our focus must not be on the Earth, but on obtaining Heaven. I believe that’s where Abraham, Moses, and David looked, not so much at the land of Israel. In other words, “The Promise Land” is in Heaven, not on Earth.
  However, “Earth” can also be taken literally:

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Rev 21:1-2).

  The “mansion” in the City of God will come back to its foundation in Jerusalem. Ironically, the meek are blest with “land” in Heaven and on Earth, but it will be the same land! I believe that New Jerusalem will sit on the same foundation as the Garden of Eden, but with a large population, it is no longer a “garden” for two but a City for those who follow the Way through the Straight Gate!