Sermon on the Mount – Blessed are the Meek • Founded in Truth Fellowship

In a teaching delivered at Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els explored the meaning behind the third beatitude in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land” [Matthew 5:5]. The discussion began by examining the common understanding of the word “blessing” and contrasting it with the original Greek term used, *makarios*.

Vander Els explained that while many associate blessing with positive outcomes like winning the lottery, having a family, or possessing a divine gift, the word *makarios* carries a different historical weight, particularly within the context of the Old Testament. *Makarios* was often used to describe the seemingly good lifestyle of someone else, particularly those who appeared to have wealth, power, or security, leading others to exclaim, “Man, they sure are *makarios*! Look at the good life those people have!”

Understanding this nuance of *makarios* infuses the Beatitudes with irony and a deeper significance. It suggests a contrast between worldly perceptions of a good life and the values of God’s kingdom. To say “Blessed are the poor in spirit” or “Blessed are those who mourn” takes on a different meaning when viewed through this lens of *makarios*. It prompts reflection on whether Yeshua’s words are truly words of encouragement and hope, which Matthew Vander Els affirmed they are, albeit delivered with a form of “twisted humor” to reach a profound understanding.

The focus then shifted to the meaning of “meek.” Initially, the understanding of meekness might be equated with humility, the absence of arrogance. The promise that the meek “will inherit the land” or “inherit the earth” [Matthew 5:5] could then be interpreted as a reward for those who are not prideful. It might seem straightforward: if one desires power and ownership like a landowner, one simply needs to avoid being arrogant.

However, the teaching delved deeper into the original languages to uncover a richer understanding. By examining the Greek Septuagint, the authoritative Greek translation of the Old Testament predating Yeshua, the speaker highlighted the use of the word “meek” in Psalm 37:11, which states, “But the humble will inherit the land and enjoy abundant prosperity.” The connection to Yeshua’s words is evident, but the crucial insight lies in the Hebrew word translated as “humble” in Psalm 37: *anav*.

Matthew Vander Els explained that *anav* in Hebrew carries a meaning beyond simply not being arrogant. Its root word, *anah*, implies being wretched, suffering, or forcefully made to submit, humiliate, or oppress. This understanding shifts the interpretation of “blessed are the meek” from a call to mere humility to a profound statement about those who have been oppressed and humbled by force. These are the “nobodies,” those whose value has been reduced to what can be extracted or taken from them by the powerful structures of the world.

Considering the historical context of first-century Judea, this interpretation resonates deeply. The Jewish people lived under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire, subject to violence, colonization, and economic exploitation. Even the religious elite, while holding some influence, were ultimately under Roman control, exemplified by the daily sacrifices required in the temple in honor of Caesar. In such a context, the promise that the *anav*, the forcefully humbled, will inherit the land becomes a powerful message of hope and future justice. It suggests a reversal of power, where those who have been dispossessed will ultimately gain control and manage the land with righteousness and justice, akin to the Garden of Eden.

The teaching clarified that this meekness, this state of being *anav*, does not imply passivity or resignation to oppression. Rather, it describes a disposition of those who, despite suffering, do not seek revenge but place their trust in God’s timing and justice. Meekness in this context is not characterized by anger, violence, thievery, or rapaciousness. Instead, it involves absorbing unjust conditions through non-violent, non-retaliatory resistance, creating a counter-cultural community grounded in love, justice, and God’s peace. It is a hope that stands against evil.

The speaker drew parallels between this understanding of meekness and various historical and contemporary situations. The plight of James William, a formerly enslaved man facing the Ku Klux Klan’s terror after the Civil War, was presented as an example of someone to whom this message of hope would resonate. Similarly, the history of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, subjected to violence, displacement, and systemic oppression, illustrates a community to whom the promise of inheriting the land offers profound hope. Even in the context of modern issues like corporate greed and its harmful consequences, the message of blessed are the meek speaks to those afflicted by forces beyond their control.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Recognize true blessing: Shift the understanding of blessing away from mere material success and towards the deeper, often ironic, blessings of God’s kingdom, particularly in times of hardship.
• Embrace non-violent resistance: In the face of injustice and oppression, choose to respond in ways that do not mirror the violence and exploitation of the oppressor, embodying love, justice, and peace.
• Stand with the mourning: Identify with and support those who are suffering and experiencing the brokenness of the world.
• Cultivate hope: Even in the midst of difficult circumstances, maintain hope in God’s justice and the eventual establishment of His kingdom.
• Resist injustice: Actively push back against systems and actions that cause harm and oppression, becoming an ambassador for God’s kingdom.
• Trust in God’s timing: While actively resisting evil, trust that God’s justice will ultimately prevail.
• Reject revenge: When wronged or oppressed, resist the urge to seek personal retribution, focusing instead on God’s glory and the well-being of others.

References

• Matthew 5:5
• Psalm 37:11
• Numbers 12:3
• Psalm 9:12

Resources Mentioned

• The Bible by Various Authors