In defining the word "meek" a dictionary gives two distinct meanings. One is, "Gentle; kind; . . . patient; forbearing; . . . humble;" the other, "Tamely submissive; spiritless; easily cowed." Now meekness, in its spiritual meaning, is a divine quality, and is so used throughout the Scriptures. Synonymous with true humility, this quality must not, therefore, through a misconception of its true import, be considered as in any sense allied with the mortal beliefs of self-condemnation and weakness. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 360) Mrs. Eddy has written, "Meekness, moderating human desire, inspires wisdom and procures divine power." Again, in her Message to The Mother Church for 1902 (p. 19) she says, "Meekness is the armor of a Christian, his shield and his buckler." Thus it signifies a willingness to exchange the mortal beliefs of animal courage and human will-power for such divine qualities as gentleness, patience, humility, and forbearance, which indeed constitute real meekness.
Moses, who became a true exponent of moral law and moral courage, was also characterized as "very meek." When God called him to lead the children of Israel out of bondage to error, a sense of timidity and weakness sought to possess his thought; and in this state of self-depreciation he cried, "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" His plaintive declaration was that of human weakness, and was in no sense an expression of the meekness and humility which shortly afterwards was to characterize him. His fear and the belief of personal responsibility were quickly dispelled when there came the assurance from on high that God would be with him in his righteous endeavor. Setting out upon his God-appointed task, Moses learned a lesson in true humility or meekness; for it was shown to him that God alone was the source of the power which would lead these children of Israel out of bondage.
When the rod (a token of power), which had been in the hand of Moses, was transformed into a serpent, the error of personal leadership through will-power was symbolized,—the serpent denoting active evil or animal magnetism. But God directed Moses to handle this serpent, error; and behold, "it became a rod in his hand," because of his understanding of God as alone omnipotent. In this realization Moses' seeming inability and helplessness were displaced by the divine qualities of true meekness and moral courage,—the God-bestowed strength and power to fulfill the important commission of liberating a nation. In this experience of Moses may be seen the hand of God as ever present to overthrow the enemy, evil, both from within and from without.
