1. Matthew 11:29 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does it mean to be gentle?

Matthew 11:29 (ESV)

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Gentleness in the Bible refers to being meek because you surrender your cause to God. Moses is mentioned in the Bible as a very meek and gentle man—more than all other men. Was he a softie? No, in fact, he sometimes tended to be aggressive. He killed someone in Egypt (see Acts 7:23–29). God sent him into the wilderness and there he learned that God will act for his cause. When his brother and sister mistreated him (see Numbers 12:1–16), Moses’ reaction was gentle: he trusted the Lord to act and God did. Moses was very meek, but the great example of true meekness is Jesus, our Lord. Read about Jesus’ meekness in 1 Peter 2:19–23.