When I was a young person, meek was seldom used among my friends and I, but when the word was heard, it seemed to me that it was usually associated with weakness (meek/weak) or one who was bashful and introverted. “To be old and wise you must first be young and ignorant” (anon).
After becoming a young man and somewhat smarter, even religious, I began seriously reading the scriptures, and while reading in Matthew, verse 5 stood out because it included that meek word, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” The first thought that came to my mind was, ‘am I going to have to become introverted and change my whole ‘somewhat outgoing nature’ to inherit the earth or to become worthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.’
In the relatively new, English Standard Version of the New and Old Testament (which I am not very well acquainted with), changes the wording significantly; “God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” That did not sound right, even to me a novice.
While waiting for a plane one day I read this newspaper column written by Bill Farmer, which stated that a man by the name of “J. Upton Dickson was a fun-loving fellow who said he was writing a book entitled Cower Power. He also founded a group of submissive people. The group were called DOORMATS. That stands for “Dependent Organization of Really Meek And Timid Souls — if there are no objections.” Their motto was: “The meek shall inherit the earth — if that’s okay with everybody.” Their symbol was the yellow traffic light. It was probably meant to be funny but it portrays very well the common misunderstanding many people have, generally, of the word ‘meek’ as found in the beatitude.
One of the definitions of humble I found, (as used in the English Standard Version, above) did use meek as a synonym. But the more common and broadly used definitions do not. They defined humility thus: “Humility comes from the Latin word humilis, which literally means low. If you feel humility in front of someone, you feel small in the scheme of things—that you are just a simple, insignificant person. Someone who spends his life taking care of others shows humility. Although it’s related to humiliation (which makes you feel low in a bad way), humility is usually used to talk about a lack of ego.” (.Com Dictionary)
After becoming fairly well acquainted with the scriptures generally, I also became aware that meek and humble were far from the same meaning. I have concluded, that the modern interpretation of the scriptures (English Standard Version) have misused or mistranslated the word meek, at least as it is used in the King James Bible, the original translation, or more appropriately, the commonly used version of it. There and everywhere ‘meek’ is used, it is hardly describing that person as humble but rather ‘quietly strong and powerful,’ rather than meekness being an attitude of allowing others to walk over you because you will cower before them. The meek that are described in the New and Old Testaments are hardly described as weak; Moses, for example, stood up to the most powerful leader in the known world at the time, (Pharaoh Ramses). He led God’s people for forty years through the wilderness to the promised land. He is described this way in Numbers 12:3, “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” And we have Jesus himself who said; “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.” He could stand up to the winds and the waves. What great courage He had to submit Himself to torture and to be crucified when He knew that all He had to do was command and an army of angels would have been there to deliver Him from the agony. But with great courage and fortitude He fulfilled His mission to save mankind as He had promised the Father that He would do. He said, “I am one that beareth witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.” (John 8:18) “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” ( John 8:29). May God bless us too, that we will always desire to do those things which please the Father and to have the kind of meekness (strength and fortitude) it takes to inherit the earth.