Other versions of this scripture say, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Ohhh…kay.
(What’s humble mean?)
Yeah, I turned to other translations to learn that, too. Yes, I understand the word humble as we use it today, but I wanted to be sure I understand Jesus’ use of the word translated to “humble” or “meek.”
The classic (read older) version of the Amplified Bible says it this way, “Blessed – happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions – are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth!”
The newest version of the Amplified Bible uses these words, “Blessed – inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect – are the gentle, the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled, for they will inherit the earth.”
We see that both lay out a fuller translation of “ashrey” beyond the word “blessed.” It’s good to see that Jesus said we would be happy, joyous, spiritually prosperous, and have satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation REGARDLESS of our outward conditions. Being blessed is to be inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, and worthy of respect.
I’d love to spend the morning right here, but we wanted to explore what humble means.
Going back to the Amplified, we see “anavim“ translated to “mild, patient, and long-suffering” and “kind-hearted, sweet-spirited, and self-controlled.”
Do you see that actions are not described, but the internal is? Once again, God looks at the heart. He knows better than we do when we’re putting up a front and pretending to be humble or kind or sweet.
This is a work of the Holy Spirit who lives in us after our reconciliation to God through Christ Jesus. We can’t conjure up patience that endures every test. That’s a God-trait, not a me-trait. We can pretend for a bit, put on a mask and seem so mild and self-controlled, but the Lord looks at our hearts, and before too long, those around us will see glimpses of the real us. Surrender to the Lord, allowing the Spirit to reign, is the only way to know this blessing or any of those mentioned in the Beatitudes.
I would be remiss if I ended this without mentioning motive. That’s a heart thing, too. If we strive to be this humble person, IN ORDER TO receive the blessing and inheritance, we need to check ourselves. We should be surrendered to the Lord because we know what He has done for us, and have experienced His love, mercy, grace, and salvation. As we mature in our faith, we let go of our rights to think and act on our own. Not everyone is there yet. That’s okay for the moment, as long as you keep moving toward Him and full surrender to Him.
Let’s be brave today and ask God to show us any ways we’re being fake in our walk with Him, realizing we’re not fooling Him at all, only ourselves and sometimes those around us. When we know those ways, we should take our courage one step further and choose to surrender all we are, all we say, all we think, and all we do to Almighty God.
May we each step into true humility today.
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
