Throughout the bible there is a emphasis on inheritance on land, and while earth could be translated land, this quote from Jesus puts inheritance talk into a great perspective. Maybe you have not, but I have heard of inheritance arguments and feuds. When grandpa dies everybody is fighting to get their share. Jesus suggests a different style of inheritance. Meekness. What? I thought if you want something be bold about it. Make a plan and plow through so that you can get what you want. Don't let people plow over you, you plow over them. "NO," says Jesus - it is the meek one who will get it, the pushover, the one who is plowed over.
The two other times this word "meek" is used in the book of Matthew, it is used for Jesus himself as he is talking about himself. The only other time it is mentioned in the New Testament is in 1 Peter 3:4 talking about a "meek" and quiet spirit, which is great value in God's sight. Who will inherit the earth? The meek, those walked on and crucified like Jesus, and the best non-Jesus example (the only one) in the Bible is the meek spirit of a woman.
Inheritance was often tied to men throughout the Bible, and Zelophehad's daughters in Numbers 27 are the exception to the rule. The world and most of the societies of this world reward boldness and assertiveness and dominance. God's inheritance is given in a different way - to the meek, the spat upon, the overlooked.
Ah, the meek - they will inherit the earth.
Me: I thought the rich families and CEOs inherited the earth.
Jesus: No, it is the meek, the humble, the lowly.
Me: So you are flipping the way we do inheritance on its head.
Jesus: Turning it back rightside up - the way you do it is turned on its head.
Me: I do not know if that will work out in the real world Jesus.
Jesus: Oh yes it will, for I am the real world, and I am the meek who will inherit the earth, and I share with the meek ones who come to me, for no one comes to me but in a meek way. The proud will never admit their need of me, unless they let my meekness rule their proud hearts.
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