Bridging the Testaments: The Fulfilment of Old Testament Scripture – Matthew 5:5
Matthew 5:5 (NKJV):
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
This verse is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, delivered in the early days of His ministry (around AD 27-30). His audience includes His disciples and a crowd that gathered to hear His teachings on a hillside in Galilee. The Sermon on the Mount introduces the values of the kingdom of heaven, and in this beatitude, Jesus speaks of meekness as a characteristic of those who will inherit the earth.
Psalm 37:11:
“But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
This psalm, attributed to David, was written around the 10th century BC and promises that the meek will inherit the land, a sign of divine favour and security. The original audience includes the people of Israel, who were instructed to trust in God rather than relying on their own strength.
Key Themes and Keywords
Meekness: Refers to humility, gentleness, and a submissive spirit, not in weakness but in controlled strength and reliance on God.
Inheritance of the Earth: Symbolises divine reward and the fulfilment of God’s promises, representing both material blessing and spiritual abundance in God’s kingdom.
Blessing: The state of being favoured by God, leading to both present and future reward.
Old Testament Scriptures
Psalm 37:11:
This verse expresses the same promise found in Matthew 5:5. It highlights that the meek, those who trust in God’s ways rather than their own strength, will inherit the earth. This inheritance reflects both the present and future reality of God’s blessings.
Isaiah 29:19:
“The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.”
This prophecy highlights the joy and fulfilment that awaits the humble, emphasising the connection between humility and divine blessing.
Numbers 12:3:
“Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.”
Moses is described as meek, which exemplifies how humility before God leads to divine favour. Moses’ life shows that meekness brings God’s guidance and blessing, further illustrating the theme of inheritance and reward.
How Matthew 5:5 Reflects and Fulfils Old Testament Scriptures
In Matthew 5:5, Jesus echoes the promise found in Psalm 37:11 by declaring that the meek will inherit the earth. This beatitude reinforces the Biblical concept that true power and blessing come not through aggression or force but through humility, trust, and submission to God’s will.
In the Old Testament, the promise of inheriting the land was often associated with God’s covenant blessings to Israel. However, Jesus expands this promise to a more universal level, where the meek, not just the Israelites, are the ones who will inherit the earth. This “inheritance” is not merely physical land but also represents the full enjoyment of life under God’s reign, both now and in the future kingdom of heaven.
The reference to meekness is not new in Scripture. Psalm 37:11 and Isaiah 29:19 both speak to the blessings that come to the humble. Jesus’ words align with these prophecies, showing how God’s favour rests on those who are gentle and lowly of heart. This beatitude also points to the eschatological hope, where the meek will ultimately reign with Christ in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1).
Scholars often highlight that Matthew 5:5 introduces a paradoxical value system: in God’s kingdom, it is the meek, not the powerful or assertive, who will inherit the earth. Jesus redefines what it means to be “blessed,” teaching that the world’s values of dominance and self-promotion are overturned in God’s reign.
Meekness is understood as a controlled strength, rooted in dependence on God rather than self-assertion. This beatitude encourages believers to trust in God’s justice and timing, knowing that He will reward those who patiently wait for His deliverance. Scholars see this as a direct fulfilment of the Old Testament theme of God’s preference for the humble and His promise to reward them.
The phrase “inherit the earth” can be interpreted in both a spiritual and eschatological sense. It speaks to the present experience of God’s peace and provision for the meek, as well as the future fulfilment when they will share in the renewed creation.
Meaning of:
Meek: (Greek: πραεῖς – praeis): Refers to those who are gentle, humble, and patient. Meekness, in a Biblical sense, is strength under control, marked by trust in God rather than relying on one’s own abilities or force.
Inherit: (Greek: κληρονομέω – klēronomeō): Means to receive an inheritance, often as a sign of familial blessing. It denotes a promise of reward, both in this life and in the life to come.
Earth: (Greek: γῆ – gē): Can refer to land, the physical earth, or the broader concept of the world. In the context of this verse, it suggests both the material and spiritual blessings that come from being part of God’s kingdom.
Application for Today’s Christians
For modern Christians, Matthew 5:5 challenges conventional ideas about power, success, and leadership. It calls believers to cultivate meekness, trusting that God’s promises will be fulfilled in His time.
Practical applications include:
Cultivating Meekness: Encourages Christians to develop humility, patience, and gentleness in their relationships and in their spiritual walk. This includes submitting to God’s will and refraining from self-promotion or aggression.
Trusting God’s Promises: Reminds believers that God’s reward is sure, even if it doesn’t come through worldly means. The promise of inheriting the earth points to both present blessings (peace, security) and future rewards (eternal life with God).
Living Counter-Culturally: Calls Christians to embrace a value system that contrasts with the world’s focus on power, competition, and self-reliance. Meekness becomes a virtue in God’s kingdom, leading to lasting fulfilment.
In conclusion, Matthew 5:5 reflects the deep Biblical tradition of God’s favour resting upon the meek. Jesus reiterates the promise from Psalm 37:11, emphasising that those who exhibit humility and gentleness will inherit the earth. This beatitude assures Christians that meekness is not weakness but a path to divine blessing and participation in God’s kingdom, both now and in the future age.
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