Learn How to Use a Sword
Will we be ready when God calls on us? Will we be able to wield a sword when it is needed? If the answer is yes, then we are demonstrating Christ-like meekness.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”1
This is yet another example of a Biblical truth which I have initially been at qualms with, but after wrestling and searching, I have come to see its veracity. The truth didn’t change - I did.
Christians are often stereotyped as weak, obsequious, and sheepish people who are chiefly concerned about being nice. This is largely due to the misinterpretation of verses like the above one, but also because some Christians are actually the stereotype.
The problem I had with this verse was the word meek, which means “quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive.” I couldn’t imagine Jesus, or any other great protagonist, being easily imposed on or submissive. Surely there’s more to it than quietness and gentleness!
The Hebrew word for meek is anava, which also means humility and modesty.2 But there is more indeed.
Anava is used to describe Moses as “a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.”3 Bear in mind that this was a man who defied the most powerful nation, the Egyptians, and who led his people through the Red Sea and a great wilderness. This is a highly competent and dangerous man.
Anava is also used when God called Abraham in the night,4 and when He called Moses from a burning bush.5 Both men answered with hineni (here I am).6 Anava describes our ability to rise to the task when we are called and needed. It describes our readiness to take action - our alacrity.
In an interview with Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson said he was also puzzled as to why Jesus would raise meekness up as a moral virtue.7 But after doing a lecture series on the Gospels, he found a deeper meaning of Christ-like meekness.
Meek people are those who have swords and know how to use them but keep them sheathed until they are needed. Such people will inherit the earth.
Rogan went on to quote the Chinese proverb that it is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war. The most dangerous are those who have power that is controlled.
Meekness is not a virtue if there is no sword to sheath. Jesus perfectly demonstrated this.
“Jesus Christ, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.…”8
Jesus' humility made Him "King of kings and lord of lords."9 Christ told His disciples that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven are those who humble themselves like children.10
But Jesus was not easily imposed upon, and He was definitely no push over. Being God incarnate, we can be sure that He was a dangerous man. When Christ saw thieves disrespecting His Father’s temple, “he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.”11
This incident is seen by scholars as the final trigger which initiated Jesus’ crucifixion. He stood up for the truth and was killed for it. How often do we appreciate that?
It is my observation that there are lots of nice Christians around today who are too afraid to offend people, who preach a superficial and lacklustre Gospel about living a good life, and who don’t stand up for God when His temple is being disrespected.
In front of certain people, why do I get squeamish uttering the name Jesus? In public spaces, why are Christians constantly pretending not to notice blatant evils? Why does our desire to be nice supersede our desire to take action?
It’s because Christ-like meekness is difficult. It’s because many Christians do not know how to use a sword, and even more basic, they do not know that we are at war against a real enemy.
And we can’t go to battle against this enemy with niceties. We need swords.
The day will come when God will call on us in the night. We need to be ready, and we need to know how to use a sword.
When that time comes, we must reply Hineni!
“I have often laughed at the weaklings who thought themselves good because they had no claws.” - Friedrich Nietzche
“Someday, when all your civilization and science are likewise swept away, your kind will pray for a man with a sword.” - Robert Howard
Matthew 5:5
jerusalemprayerteam.org
Numbers 12:3
Genesis 22:1
Exodus 3
rabbidavidjaffe.com
Jordan Peterson on The Meek with Joe Rogan 2018 #1070 - YouTube
Philippians 2:6-9
Revelation 19:16
Matthew 18:4
John 2:13-16
Great insight Michael
Your interpretation is so clear and so profound . You write so well