"Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." Numbers 12:3.Before I had gained much experience in the school of Christ, an individual shared the above text with me. I was not surprised that the prophet Moses was a "very meek" man. What astonished me was that he wrote the Scripture about himself. I had not yet attained a full understanding of the meaning of MEEKNESS. In this brief study we will look at the subject from YAH's perspective.
"The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way." Psalms 25:9.
The person possessing the quality of MEEKNESS will be easily guided and taught by the Holy Spirit. The first principle of truth, a prerequisite to entering the kingdom of God, is a "teachable spirit." "...Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven" (Matt. 18:3). "...Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
An entrance to the "strait gate" does not depend on the possession of riches or learning, but it does depend on the possession of a teachable spirit. We are to search the Scriptures with a determined purpose to know the will of God. He who comes to the Bible with a humble, teachable spirit, with a heart that prefers truth to error, and the favor of God to the friendship of the world, will know if the doctrine is of God. He will not be left to be deceived by the enemy, or to be swayed to and fro by false theories. Christ will guide him day by day, and he will enter the "strait gate" to walk the narrow path that leads to life eternal.
Those who desire to become intelligent in spiritual things also have a desire to dwell on Heavenly subjects. One method to assist in this effort is to commit to memory texts or portions of the Scriptures, and thus train your mind to meditate upon things that are pure and lovely. The heart that is stored with the precious truths of God's word, is fortified against the temptations of Satan, against impure thoughts and unholy actions. The promises of God are for your healing. It is essential that we search the Scriptures for ourselves; for we want to understand what is the truth as it is in YAHSHUA. The student should read the Bible thoughtfully and prayerfully, having a purpose in mind. In this goal they will desire to understand the sacred instruction of Christ. Whoever comes to the Bible with such a spirit, will receive the pure light of truth, full of inspiration; and the soft, subduing power of the Holy Spirit will cleanse and sanctify the heart of the honest seeker. The angels of God will be near to instruct him who is of a teachable spirit.
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5.
The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much lessened by MEEKNESS which hides itself in Christ. If we possess the humility of our Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances to which we are daily exposed, and they will cease to cast a gloom over our spirit. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who under abuse or persecution fails to maintain a calm and trusting spirit, robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character. Lowliness of heart is the strength that gives victory to the followers of Christ; it is the token of their connection with the Heavenly courts. Christ's Sermon on the Mount declares who are the truly blessed. "Blessed are the meek...": those who are gentle and forgiving, who, when reviled, will not revile again, but who manifest a teachable spirit, and do not hold themselves in high esteem. Those are contented in whatever surrounding or with any Providential circumstance. The humble unimportant work is just as significant to their efforts as the larger and more exalted task. Constantly they are learning of the Good Shepherd, and constantly they reach higher, and still higher degrees of excellence, yet all the time feeling a sense of their weakness and potential inefficiency. They are drawn upward by their strong, loving admiration for their Savior. They practice His virtues; for their life is assimilated to His. Ever they move onward and upward, a blessing to the world and an honor to their Redeemer. Every man who is a Christian is a gentleman; and every woman who is a Christian is a gentlewoman. The law of kindness is ever on the lips of the Christian. There are no hasty words spoken. Gentle words are offered in response to provocation, making the path of life a smoother walk.
The reward for MEEKNESS: The New Earth. The earth promised to the meek will be a better one than our planet. It will be purified from all sin and defilement, and will bear the image of the divine. Satan has placed his throne in the earth; but where the usurper has set up his rule, there will YAHSHUA place His throne, and there shall be no more curse. The glory of YAH is to cover the earth as the waters cover the seas. Christ desires to give His children a home where there will be no more sin, no more sorrow, no more death, but all will be joy and gladness. He says: "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of YAH, and the excellency of our God." (Isa. 35:2). "And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith YAH." (Isaiah 66:23).
The Heavenly Father has hallowed His sign of creation and redemption, and pronounced His blessing upon all who keep holy the Sabbath day. His commandments are relevant to a thousand generations, and when the new earth is given to the meek, the redeemed host shall be in the city of God and come up to worship YAH from Sabbath to Sabbath and from one new moon to another. "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month [or new moon]..." (Rev. 22:1,2). The meek will partake of the emblems of life forever, as they drink the life-giving water and eat the life-sustaining fruit each new moon festival. Those who inherit the earth know the Author of salvation, and now, while the curse yet remains, they "eat the flesh and drink the blood" of the One who created them for happiness and fellowship and redeemed them from the slavery of sin and fear of death.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, MEEKNESS, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22,23.
MEEKNESS is a portion of the fruit of the Spirit, and an evidence that we are branches of the living God. The abiding presence of MEEKNESS is an unmistakable evidence that we are branches of the True Vine, and are bearing much fruit. It is an evidence that we are by faith beholding the King in His beauty and becoming changed into His likeness. Where MEEKNESS exists, the natural tendencies are under the control of the Holy Spirit. This quality is not a species of cowardice. It is the spirit which Christ manifested when suffering injury, when enduring insult and abuse. To be meek is not to surrender our right; but it is the preservation of self-control under provoking circumstances. There is no hint of the spirit of retaliation. MEEKNESS will not allow emotions and passion to take the reins of the heart.
Many will not have zeal and earnestness to seek God for themselves, and know for themselves that Christ is formed in them "the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27). Should they have the heart work, they can, if any man ask them, give "a reason of the hope that is [within them] with MEEKNESS and fear"(1 Peter 3:15). With MEEKNESS, because Christ died for them as sinners that they might have eternal life; with MEEKNESS because there is no virtue or goodness in them. They are dependent upon Christ every moment for this great salvation from the bondage of sin. With fear, lest they fail to represent their faith in a manner which would convince unbelievers of the truth. The "MEEKNESS of wisdom" (James 3:13) will be seen in their deportment. They have the evidence that they "are built upon the [sure] foundation" (Eph. 2:20), and will stand even in the perils of the last days. They purify their "souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren" (1 Pet. 1:22). The fires of affliction may kindle upon them, and although the removal of imperfections from their characters may be to them a severe process, yet they will endure the test and trial so essential to their eternal destiny.
MEEKNESS is the inward adorning, which God estimates as of great price. The apostle Paul speaks of this as more excellent and valuable than "gold or pearls or costly array" (1 Timothy 2:9). While the outward adorning beautifies only the mortal body, the ornament of MEEKNESS adorns the soul and connects finite man with the infinite God. This is the adornment of YAH's own choice. He who embellished the heavens with the bodies of light has by the same Spirit promised that "He will beautify the meek with salvation" (Psalms 149:4). Angels of Heaven will register as best-dressed those who put on the Lord YAHSHUA and walk with Him in MEEKNESS and lowliness of mind. The Master says, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:29).
Now I understand better the attitude of Moses as he wrote of himself being the meekest man upon the earth. He knew himself, and he knew Christ. Choosing the life of God, he had acquired the spirit of a learner. Moses never thought more highly of himself than he ought; therefore, he could write accurately about himself by God's leading. Note, this statement made by Moses, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, would not have been regarded by the people of his time as a commendation. Being considered as a weakness in character, it would rather have excited pity or contempt in their perverted minds. But Moses was called of YAH the meekest man upon the face of the whole earth.
How is it with you? Does "the Spirit [Himself] bear witness with [your] spirit, that [you ] are the [child] of God" (Rom. 8:16)? Is Christ formed within you "the hope of glory"? Is there a "crown of righteousness" laid up for you, and do you "love His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8)? YAH places MEEKNESS among the very first qualifications for His kingdom. Are YOU meek? We invite you to unite with the meek, "for they shall inherit the earth". Amen.