LESSON THREE
Blessed Are the Gentle
THIS LESSON Cross references
INCORPORATES Word Studies
How is it that so many saints down the years
have
been
able
to live in triumph behind
the [prison] bars? It is because they have discovered the secret of freedom. When a man thinks
and moves
independently of God, life is brimming with frustrations.
Everything that does not serve his purpose is deemed a hindrance.
He is always
a victim of circumstances; he knows nothing of their mastery. He is at enmity with God and moving contrary
to His laws and will. He is a man hemmed in and
even in attempting good must find there are chains about his feet and fetters in his soul. What is the secret of freedom? It is in the
conscious co
operation with the living
God in the fulfillment of the pure design for which He made us. Thus "all things work together
for good to
them that
love
God, to them who are
the
called according to
His purpose." Then, however restricted
and however straitened, we can glory
in the end
He
is
working
to achieve. Our emancipation is in our choosing to obey.1
"Blessed are the gentle, for
they
shall inherit the earth."
DAY ONE AND
DAY
TWO
J )
As you begin this week's study
with prayer, ask God to show
you the peace and power that belong
to "the gentle,"
or as the King James, New King
James, and New International Bibles translate it, "the meek."
1. "BLESSED ARE THE GENTLE,
FOR
THEY
SHALL INHERIT
THE
EARTH." When we study the Bible, it is important that
we
keep
from inserting modern meanings of words instead
of discovering what the original languages intended. Words such
as gentle
or meek often mean very different things to the modern
mind
than
they did years ago. Sometimes, there is no single equivalent word in our language
that adequately translates
a Greek or
Before you
begin,
here
is a warning
so you will not become
confused:
In the New
American Standard Bible, this word is often translated humble or
afflicted, while in the King James Version
it is translated meek.
a. Numbers 12:3-humble (meek, KJV) From this chapter, note how Moses manifests this quality of gentleness.
b. Psalm 25:9- humble (meek, KJV) c. Psalm 37:11-humble (meek, KJV) d.
Psalm
45:4-meekness
e. Psalm 76:9-humble (meek, KJV)
£ Psalm 147:6-affiicted (meek, KJV)
g. Zechariah 9:9-humble (lowly, KJV)
l )
Hebrew word in every context. To see the true meaning,
we need to do word studies.
a. Look up the Greek
word
translated gentle (meek,
KJV) in Matthew
5:5.
Record what you learn.
b. Now, in your own words, write a brief definition of gentleness.
It will help you crystallize your thoughts and make this information your own. When you can verbalize a truth in your own words,
it shows that you understand it.
2. Now that
you have the definition of gentleness,
can you better understand the placement of this third characteristic of those who belong to the kingdom of
heaven? What do the gentle
inherit?
3. The Old
Testament was written in Hebrew
and Aramaic, but there is an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint that was circulated in the first
century and is helpful
in seeing which Greek
words were used to translate the Hebrew. We can
then study the various contexts in which a Hebrew word was used in the same sense.
The Septuagint uses a form of the Greek word translated gentle in Matthew 5:5
in the following verses. Look up each reference and next
to each record what you learn about gentleness or being gentle. Be sure to check the context. Do not just look for information; rather
ask God to show you how to learn from the
One who is "gentle and humble in heart"
(Matthew 11:29) so that you
will be "transformed into the
same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
4. At the end of this lesson, you will find a chart entitled, "The Characteristics, Benefits, and Exhortations
Regarding Gentleness." You can use this to summarize
all you learn about this concept of gentleness as used in Matthew 5:5.
5. Using these Scriptures, take
what you have learned and write out a prayer to
God. Make it personal.
DAY
THREE
1. Look
up
the following Scriptures from the New Testament using the same
procedure as you did on DAY ONE AND DAY TWO. They all use the same Greek word as Matthew 5:5 for gentle, although the English translation can be different. Remember to
check the context of the verses, because in some cases it will be vital for a clear understanding of gentleness.
Gentle or gentleness can also be translated
humility or consideration in the NAS.
gentle (meek, KJV)
a. Matthew
5:5
b. Matthew 11:29
d. 1 Peter 3:4
gentleness (meekness, KJV)
e. 1 Corinthians
4:21
f 2 Corinthians 10:1 g. Galatians 5:23
h. Galatians 6:1
I I
1. Ephesians 4:2
J. Colossians 3:12
k. 1 Timothy 6:11
l. 2 Timothy 2:25
m. Titus 3:2-consideration (meekness, KJV)
n. James
1:21-hurnility (meekness, KJV)
p. 1 Peter
3:15
2. If you prefer, record your insights on the chart, "The Characteristics, Benefits, and
Exhortations Regarding Gentleness."
DAY
FOUR
1. In Matthew 11:29
Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR
SOULS." From what you know about Jesus' life, how was this gentleness manifested?
2. Gentleness is accepting everything that comes into
your
life as corning
from the hand of God ... accepting it without resentment or retaliation. But where
can it be found? How can it be attained?
How is it hammered
out on the
anvil of life? Now, Beloved, considering all
you have
learned about gentleness, how would
you answer
these questions?
Blessed are the· gentle, ---------------------
Let's study what it means to inherit the earth.
a. In the Old Testament the land of Israel represented to the people hope and blessing from God. Go back to Psalm 37 and make a note of characteristics of those who will "inherit the land." It's used five times in the psalm, and you've already seen that]esus quoted verse
11 in Matthew 5:5.
b. Now read Revelation 5:8-10
and note some more characteristics. Does the promise in verse 10 agree with that in Matthew 5:5?
c. According to 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, what
are some of the characteristics of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God?
d. Explain the verb were in 1 Corinthians 6:11. While it may be possible for a believer to commit adultery, is it possible
for a believer to be an adulterer (practicing adultery)? Who
breaks the habitual patterns of sin (John 8:36)?
4. Read what your commentaries have to say about this third beatitude,
"Blessed are the gentle. ..."
How do the insights you gleaned from your commentaries
compare with what God has shown you in His Word? Record any new insights.
DAY
FIVE
Today's
assignment is strictly application. Second Timothy
3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate,
equipped for every good work." Has God reproved us? Shown us how
to correct
our behavior? Instructed
us by His Spirit?
1. We have
clearly seen what God's Word teaches about gentleness, but has God's Word been used to reprove you? How has it encouraged,
convicted, or rebuked you? What has it shown you personally about gentleness in your own life?
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