Meek Inherit the Earth
This passage turns the normal order of life completely on its head. It's counter-cultural today and even more so in the context that it was delivered. Who was inheriting the earth in the original context? The Romans, the powerful, those who "made things happen"...the ones who "took life by the horns" and "made a name for themselves."
We hear echoes of the "Law and Prophets"...
Psalm 37:9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
Psalm 37:11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.
"Not those who try to bring in the kingdom politically or militarily but those who humbly wait on God will "inherit the earth." (Keener)
The Jews of this time believed that one day God's people would rule over all the land. The temptation would be to think that it's those who are loud and forceful would be the ones who would inherit this right. But Jesus says that in his King om, it will be the meek. It will be those who humbly submit themselves to God's will and not their own who will be the greatest--who will "inherit the earth." This is in line with the idea of the first will be last and the last will be first.
We hear echoes of the "Law and Prophets"...
Psalm 37:9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
Psalm 37:11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.
"Not those who try to bring in the kingdom politically or militarily but those who humbly wait on God will "inherit the earth." (Keener)
The Jews of this time believed that one day God's people would rule over all the land. The temptation would be to think that it's those who are loud and forceful would be the ones who would inherit this right. But Jesus says that in his King om, it will be the meek. It will be those who humbly submit themselves to God's will and not their own who will be the greatest--who will "inherit the earth." This is in line with the idea of the first will be last and the last will be first.
