Living In The Kingdom Part 2 Series

Living In The Kingdom Part 2

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-12; Galatians 5:23; Numbers 12:1-2

This is part two of my current series “Living in the Kingdom”, which comes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This week we will continue with the beatitudes looking at verses five and six of Matthew chapter five.

In Matthew 5:5, Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Some people hear the word meek and they immediately think of someone who is weak. This is far from the meaning of this word. Meekness is the opposite of being out of control. It is not a weakness, but supreme self-control empowered by the Spirit of God dwelling within us. Meekness is patience in the presence of being wronged. It is neither meanness, nor a surrender of our rights, nor cowardice; but it is the opposite of sudden anger, of malice, of long-harbored vengeance. Meekness is receiving the wrongs done to us with a belief that God will vindicate us. Romans 12:19 says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.’” If you are constantly losing control or seeking vengeance against those who have wronged you, then not only are you not meek, you are not allowing the Holy Spirit to operate through you in those circumstances. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:23) The word translated as meek (or gentle) in this verse carries the meaning of someone with a good blend of spiritual poise and strength; it is the gentleness of strength. This verse is talking about having a sense of humility as you walk in your spiritual strength. It is referring primarily to our attitude towards God which, in turn, is reflected in how we treat people. A good example of someone demonstrating this trait was Moses. Moses walked and talked with God just as we walk and talk with one another but he never thought of himself as anyone special based on his relationship with God. With everything Moses experienced while in the presence of God he never lorded his authority over the people. He was always meek even as he angrily addressed the Children of Israel’s rebellion. This was proven when Moses’ brother and sister rose up against him because he chose to marry an Ethiopian woman who was not an Israelite. This story was recorded in Numbers the twelfth chapter. Turn there as I want you to witness the gentleness of Moses.

Let’s begin reading at verse one. “And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2And they said, ‘Has the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? Has He not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.” (Numbers 12:1-2) Since Miriam’s name appears first, it seems she was the leader of this rebellion and Aaron followed her lead. We need to be careful how we complain about one another. When you consider what Miriam says in her complaint, jealousy was the real reason they had a problem with the woman Moses chose to marry. Maybe they didn’t like the fact that she was Ethiopian and not an Israelite, but the complaint itself is saturated in jealousy. This is proven when they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? Has He not spoken also by us?” These words signify the jealousy that was in their hearts and they used this opportunity to level charges against Moses. Not wanting to expose themselves as being jealous of their younger brother and possibly his success, they hid behind this complaint of whom he chose to marry. They felt that they were just as important as Moses was as it related to the leadership of the people - but that was not how God felt. God heard their complaints. Now look at verse three.

“Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.” (Vs. 3) In God’s eyes, there not a man on earth more humble than Moses. Even though Miriam and Aaron came against him, Moses did not answer their charges or lash out against them. He did not defend his action nor did he try to fight with them over the leadership of the people. (Isn’t it interesting that when Jesus faced all of the accusations from the religious leaders He also did not respond them?) From all accounts, he said nothing. This verse records that Moses was very humble, the most humble man on the earth. Now we do not have time to read all of what happen, but when you have time, go back and read it. Because Moses was who he was; God defended him. God called a meeting and invited Miriam and Aaron to attend with Moses. How would you like to be called into a private meeting with God so that He can set you straight about something or someone you’ve been complaining about? This is what happened with Miriam and Aaron. You can read the story to find out the rest of it. And what happened to Miriam as a result was not pretty. She got leprosy. And guess who went to God to plead for her deliverance? Moses.