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Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
The Gentle
Many translations replace the word “gentle” with the word “meek.” I like the word “gentle” as it is more commonly used and understood today. Meekness carries a connotation of weakness—an association that the word gentle does not have.
But what does Jesus mean here? Consider its opposite—violence. Consider the raw exercise of power to conquer the earth. Consider the gentle folk at the mercy of those in power.
To be gentle is not to weakly roll over in the face of such, but to have confidence that the path of gentleness wins out in the end.
It is being the gentle task master and not the hard task master.
It is Boaz (from the book of Ruth) who instructs his harvesters to leave whole stalks of grain to make it easier for the poor gleaners who would come after.
It is the servant or employee who serves with eagerness and joy.
And it is the one who can bring the wayward back—as Paul notes in Galatians:
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1,2)
What qualities are here?
A desire to restore and not condemn. This flows from the second beatitude by which we mourned for our sin. Now we can come alongside others and help them mourn with a sorrow that leads to repentance.
A spirit of gentleness. In Romans, Paul wrote, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:3) A spirit of gentleness is also a spirit of kindness, tolerance, and patience.
Humility. An understanding that we all can fall into temptation.
Sharing to Load in love
If we can be gentle to those who fall and guide them back, how much more will our gentleness have a positive effect in our community both in and outside the church? It is not a passive gentleness—it is active, outgoing, and other focused.
Inheriting the earth
Picture a prosperous land owner with servants and family. The owner prospers because there is co-operation instead of strife amongst all who work for the prosperity of the enterprise. The land owner is gentle and fair in his dealings with all.
This is the image that carries into the blessings of the gentle inheriting the earth. The earth is to be tilled and cared for and thus bring forth a rich harvest to be shared.
The gentle inherit the earth because the earth is blessed by the gentle.