July 12, 2019 -- Numbers 12:3 - - Meekness or Weakness

Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.

Numbers 12:3 ESV

The original language in which this verse is written is: Hebrew. The word “meek” is actually used two times in a row. Since the Hebrew language does not have an exclamation point, the doubling up of a word means it is emphatic. The context and remainder of the sentence confirms this, that Moses is more meek than all the people who were on the face of the earth. What an unusual word: “meek”.

Recently I was reading something written by Eric Liddell, the British Olympic Champion of 1924 who refused to run his best competition race, the 100 meter, because the Olympic trials were to be held on a Sunday. Instead, he then registered for the 400 meter trials because these were not held on a Sunday. His biography is the basis of the movie: “Chariots of Fire.” Liddell was also a very well-known missionary to China.

Liddell sketched out a wonderful, simple way to distinguish what it is to be meek. When reading his bible he asked himself what is the difference between “meekness” and “weakness”? Here is what he wrote:

What is the difference? Both may be kind and gentle. Is the difference the element of fear?

Meek—kind and gentle and fearless.

Weak—kind and gentle and led by fear.

Meek—is love in the presence of wrong.

Liddell “Sermon on the Mount: For Sunday School Teachers”

That’s a great aid in discerning what meekness is. I found this very helpful. There are many instances in my life when I am faced with the wrong and it is tempting to get angry—as if a show of anger or temper will help me get my way. But to be kind and gentle, fearless and to speak in love in the presence of wrong, what divine power that has.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus taught: “blessed are the meek”, also written as “blessed are the poor in spirit”. Here meekness is to be filled with the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His victory over our sin, His punishment in our place for all our wrong-doing, and humble willingness then to serve Him in every place and every situation we find ourselves in so that Jesus is lifted high and His Name is credited.

Sometimes I have thought being meek is like being a doormat to everyone in every situation. No way. It is the holy boldness in Jesus Name to stand up for the right in the presence of wrong with and to do so with gentleness and kindness and without fear. Jesus is our Captain. Jesus has our back. Jesus will bring us to the place of Victory whether or not in that particular moment we were able to win the day, by our holy meekness we were able to guard the reputation of Jesus, making His reputation great in our own eyes and before the watching eyes of the world.

Holy Jesus, enable us to walk in meekness before the majesty of Your greatness and live out meekness in every situation You place us in. Remind us that the circumstances of our lives are not happenstances or accidents, but You know all things, direct all things so that we will grow in grace and the people around us will be presented with the glory of Who You Are by how we act. Jesus, forgive us for our willfulness. Forgive us, King Jesus, for the times we have been weak, rather than meek. As the Lord of our lives we ask You to direct our words and actions by Your Spirit living in us and the instruction of the Bible so that in all things we will bring praise and credit to our Father in heaven. Amen.