Meekness Brings Favor

Background Scripture: Nehemiah 2
Lesson Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-10

Introduction

Meekness is an attribute of the true Christian and portrays the spirit of humility that every child of God possesses. It could be said that it is the visible or interactive part of humility, that which is sensed by others. Because of its beautiful witness, meekness has a rightful place in the fruit of the Spirit.

Key Verse

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace (Ps. 37:11).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The events in our lesson took place in the years 444-445 BC, or about ninety-five years after the Jews began to return from exile. Work on the wall had languished, and it was still in ruins from the attacks of the Babylonians 140 years earlier, not only bringing shame and humiliation to the Jews, but also inviting and giving their enemies freedom to attack. Looking at the timelines of biblical history, it appears that God does not get in a hurry to bring about his purposes. We must have hearts that are meek to accept his timeline for our lives.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. It was customary for the king to have numerous cupbearers, and to be one was considered a great honor. In their culture, it was felt that servants should be happy to serve their king. The Scriptures imply that Nehemiah was faithful in his duties to the king, although he certainly was not aligned with the king’s religion.

This background helps us see Nehemiah’s character as he received the news that Jerusalem’s walls were still in ruins. He could have protected his good job and position of honor in the king’s court, but his heart was saddened when he heard of the plight of his countrymen, and he was willing to sacrifice whatever it took to go to help.

Nehemiah prayed for God to open the door for an audience with the king (Neh. 1:11), and that prayer was answered. Of course, he wanted to help his people, but in helping them he did not want to incur the disfavor of the king. As he allowed God to lead, the opportunity came through the king’s question, and then Nehemiah had a choice. He could question or belittle the opening God gave him, but instead with a prayer in his heart, he stated his request to the king. Nehemiah’s years of meek and humble service before King Artaxerxes now stood in his favor as God softened the king’s heart.

Meekness is also seen in his response to the king’s questions. No doubt as he answered, he was praying that God would guide his speaking, and with great prudence he laid his situation before the king. He did not demand but with respect spoke his request to the king.

Practical Truths for Today

Meekness is defined as a mild, moderate, humble, or submissive quality. It is felt and sensed by others and, like humility, the feelings of being better or superior are absent. Meekness is not a put on or practiced attitude but comes from a heart that has a right relationship with God. It is not expressed by an inferior, subservient attitude, but rather by a genuine desire to put the wants and requests of others first. Though personal needs and interests may be ignored or overridden, a meek person does not feel entitled. Quietly suffering wrong and bearing accusations without defending oneself reveal the beauty of a meek spirit. Meekness is also displayed when we patiently await our turn while standing in a long line, or should someone take advantage of us in a business deal, we do not retaliate. In these everyday situations, we prove to be the quiet people of the land and leave a favorable witness for Christ.

Meekness is not weakness. People of the world are often afraid to be meek because they feel it shows weakness and gives others an opportunity to take an advantage. A common refrain is that one must stand up for his rights, or he will lose something of position or power. On the other hand, a Christian who is willing to trust God can remain calm and untroubled despite adversity and will find favor with God. More strength of character is evidenced by meekness than by asserting one’s rights. This goes against human nature and takes a lot of courage, and though it is not always apparent, a silent, unspoken approval follows those who are meek.

A meek person will still have firm convictions on spiritual matters. Our martyr brethren were excellent examples of this. Often they were taken before the authorities, treated roughly, tortured, and mocked, yet they did not defend themselves; rather, they expressed love to their oppressors. When asked to deny the faith or when promised rewards to apostatize, they stood firm and unshakeable, willing to be led to slaughter rather than deny their Lord and Savior. A meek person is not soft or fainthearted; he simply chooses to follow his Lord’s example and not mistreat others.

Weakness is not meekness. A person lacking strength of character may not offer outward resistance but may inwardly feel rebellious. His lack of resistance then is not a spirit of meekness but a spirit of fear. An outward show of meekness for some selfish benefit—such as the praise of other people or maintaining a supposed reputation when hidden in the heart is a feeling of superiority—is pride. An example of this could be a businessman who manifests a long-suffering and kind spirit to an ill-willed, wealthy client when he is only trying to maintain a relationship for financial gain. He is not serving his client from a heart that wants to help but rather to please him so that he will not take his business to a competitor. An attitude that is tolerant of insincerity and overlooks it when good principle is ignored is not part of meekness, though it may appeal to some people. On the surface it seems attractive, but it will not bring the favor and blessing of God.

Meekness is imperative in our care of each other. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). A meek spirit is needed for the work of reproof to be redemptive. A brother can share a concern, but if he carries a spirit of righteous exclusiveness instead of a heart full of love, the encouragement is likely to be met with a stiffened back and a cool heart. But when a brother goes in meekness, considering his own needs and realizing that he is also weak and tempted, the reception will be much better. The spirit of meekness causes the concerned brother to reach out, not in a position of strength but in a spirit of brotherly love.

May we as Christians be humble in our hearts so that meekness shows forth. Let us remember these two verses in our everyday practice: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay” (Rom. 12:19), and “A soft answer turneth away wrath” (Prov. 15:1).

Illustration

The Bible says that Moses was the meekest man upon the face of the earth. It appears that in his younger years, it was not so. He was brought up in the Egyptian court and given all the things that go along with royalty—education, wealth, and luxury. Secular history indicates that he was given military training and became a general in the Egyptian army. Through his prowess he won numerous battles, thereby setting him up to become big in his own eyes.

But even in this position Moses remembered his people, and one day as he was out visiting his brethren, he became angry as he saw their burden and how they were being treated. When he saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, his smoldering anger burst into outrage, and thinking that no one was looking, he killed the Egyptian. When he found out this was known, he felt compelled to flee to the land of Midian. There his real training began, an exercise that taught him how small he was and the need to let God rule in his heart and control his life.

Becoming a shepherd was perhaps part of Moses’s training. In his former life with the Egyptians, shepherds were despised and considered low class. It may have been humbling for him to accept the job of keeping Jethro’s flocks. It seems, however, that as he accepted this work, his heart began to mellow. Surely in the lonely night watches, he meditated on God and his plan. After the “burning bush” experience, the Bible’s testimony of Moses is that he did as God commanded him.

The evidence of Moses’s meekness lies in this: in the various times his authority was challenged, he did not selfishly use the power God had given him, nor did he use the advantages his Egyptian training had given him. Rather, he let the Lord speak for him. An example is when Miriam and Aaron spoke against him and claimed they also had the ability to lead the Israelites. Moses did not defend himself but allowed the Lord to speak to Miriam and Aaron (Num. 12).

Questions

1. Is there ever a time and place for righteous indignation?
2. “The meek shall inherit the earth” (Ps. 37:11; Matt. 5:5). How should this be interpreted?
3. Jesus was very meek, yet He did not hesitate to denounce wrongdoing and hypocrisy. What should be our response when we recognize hypocrisy in someone?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).