Numbers 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were on the face of the earth.) How beautiful a grace is meekness! It may be somewhat difficult to define; but whenever we see we cannot fail to know and to feel its gentle and winning power. It is a grace that implies so very much in the heart. It is the beautiful result of many other graces; whilst its place in the beatitudes shows that it is the root on which others grow. Meekness is quite consistent with power and authority; for Moses had great power and authority in Israel, and yet, altogether unspoilt by it, he was the meekest of men. But we may look to another example, far greater than Moses, who said, "All power is given to Me in heaven arid on earth"; and yet added, "I am meek and lowly in heart." It is in such lofty places that meekness is the most beautiful, because it then can, and does, stoop very low. But though this grace is evidently consistent with any power and authority, however exalted, it is altogether inconsistent with the love of power and with the love of authority. Meekness can only grow upon the ruins of selfishness in all its forms, whether it be selfishness towards God — that is, unbelief — or whether it be selfishness towards man, either in its form of pride, love of our own way, love of ease, love of money. But we may trace another feature in meekness from the example of Moses, and learn that this grace is not the attribute of a weak character, but the ornament of a firm and comprehensive spirit. Indeed, we seldom find real meekness in vacillating characters; for such yield when they ought not to yield, and then, rebuked by conscience for yielding, they become angry. Meekness will more often be found in the resolute character when it is sanctified by the Spirit of God, and obstinacy is purged out. Moses was a beautiful example of extraordinary strength of character. His one will was stronger than the united wills of all Israel. And yet amongst them all there was not one to be found so meek as he; and the reason was, because his will rested on the will of God. It was an unselfish will, and therefore it was that its uncommon power did not exclude meekness. We all need this grace in every relationship of life. As parents, for meekness should be the border and fringe of every act of authority; as mistresses, for in the carlessness and want of conscientiousness of servants your spirit may be tried nearly every day; as Christians, for St. Peter exhorts us (1 Peter 3:15) to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear"; as teachers, for St. Paul says (2 Timothy 2:24, 25). In these days of collision between system and system, and of sad confusion of views of Divine truth, we specially seem to need the spirit of meekness. For it is not rude attacks upon error, but truth spoken in meekness and love that avails and has most power. Meekness should be the handmaid of zeal. All of us must feel, if we have only made the experiment, how difficult of attainment is this grace; and yet there is great encouragement to seek it. It appears in the cluster of graces described as the "fruit of the Spirit." It is the last but one, perhaps to show us the height at which it grows. There is a beautiful promise of guidance to the meek "The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way" (Psalm 25:9); and in Psalm 149:4 is a larger promise still — "He will beautify the meek with salvation." And then we cannot forget the beatitude uttered by the lips of Him whose meekness never failed — "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth!" (G. Wagner.) Parallel Verses KJV: (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)WEB: Now the man Moses was very humble, above all the men who were on the surface of the earth. |
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