They Shall Inherit the Earth

 

NIV Matthew 5:5 

 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

 

 

NIV Isaiah 29:19-21

Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
The ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down—those who with a word make someone out to be guilty, who ensnare the defender in court  and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice.

Why is this ponderable?

When we hear the word inheritance today we think about riches from the estates of billionaires. So, taken out of context, it is easy to imagine ourselves possessing the symbols of wealth. But, that is not what Jesus or Isaiah had in mind when they proclaimed this message. 

Photo by Nate Johnston on Unsplash

 

 When we look at the earth as it is, we see humanity immersed in disease, anger, greed, violence, and abject poverty. From this perspective, any meek and humble person would not want this inheritance--especially if this were to be an eternal abode. So let's read between the lines and discern what both Jesus and Isaiah have in mind. 

Remember that most proclamations from Jesus are based on Old Testament scripture. In this case, it is based on the vision of a "new earth" presented by Isaiah. On this new earth,
the ruthless will be gone, the mockers will be gone, and all who have an eye for evil will be purged. The innocent will have justice and peace. It will be heaven on earth; quite suitable for an eternal abode. 

But, hold on!  Why is this new life limited to the meek and humble? Why won't it be available to the proud and boisterous?  

To understand the meaning of this beatitude, we need to place it in the context of the other seven beatitudes.

• Blessed are the poor in spirit,  
• Blessed are those who mourn,  
• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,   
• Blessed are the merciful,  
• Blessed are the pure in heart,  
• Blessed are the peacemakers,
• Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness

 Now, imagine a world in which every living person exhibited these qualities and none of those that tend to make our life a hell on earth. That is the vision that Jesus holds out for those who believe in him.