Posted on January 25, 2021 at 9:00am
Blessings
Jesus calls out those held high in the Kingdom
Matthew 5:3-12 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Commentary
The Beatitudes are often seen as the "New Law" given by Jesus, but they are deeply rooted in the soil of the Old Testament. Rather than replacing the Hebrew Scriptures, Jesus uses the Beatitudes to fulfill and expand upon themes found in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms.
1. The New Moses on the Mount
The setting itself is a deliberate link to Exodus. Just as Moses went up Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments (the Law) for the people of Israel, Jesus goes up a mountain to deliver his foundational teaching.
The Connection: While the Ten Commandments often focus on outward behavior (the "thou shalt nots"), the Beatitudes focus on the inner heart and the character of the believer.
2. Direct Scriptural Echoes
Many of the specific Beatitudes are almost direct citations or paraphrases of Old Testament passages:
"Blessed are the meek" Matt. 5:5
This is a nearly verbatim quote from Psalm 37:11, which says, "But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace." In the Old Testament, this referred to the Promised Land; Jesus expands it to "the earth."
"Blessed are those who mourn" Matt. 5:4:
This echoes Isaiah 61:1-3, where the Messiah is sent to "bind up the brokenhearted" and "comfort all who mourn" in Zion.
"The Pure in Heart" Matt. 5:8:
This links to Psalm 24:3-4, which asks, "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? ... He who has clean hands and a pure heart."
3. The Reversal of Fortunes (Anawim)
The Beatitudes celebrate the Anawim, a Hebrew term used throughout the Psalms and Prophets (like Zephaniah) to describe the "poor of the Lord."In the Old Testament, the Anawim were those who were socially marginalized and had no helper but God.Jesus validates this Old Testament tradition by declaring that God’s favor rests precisely on those the world overlooks—the poor, the peacemakers, and the persecuted.
4. The Fulfillment of the Covenant
In the Old Testament, the "blessing" was often tied to physical prosperity and the security of the nation. Jesus shifts the focus to the Kingdom of Heaven.The Link: Jesus isn't saying the Old Testament was wrong; he is showing the ultimate goal of the Covenant. The "righteousness" that the Prophets demanded is the same righteousness Jesus calls for in the Beatitudes—a life aligned with God's will and justice.
Summary Comparison
| Beatitude Theme | Old Testament Root | Key Concept |
| Poverty of Spirit | Isaiah 66:2 | Humility before God |
| Meekness | Psalm 37:11 | Trusting God over force |
| Mercy | Hosea 6:6 | Desiring mercy over sacrifice |
| Peacemaking | Isaiah 9:6-7 | The "Prince of Peace" |