Rafael L. Oriel, Jr.
17 Mar 2008

 

 

To find the meaning of words, our teachers told us to use dictionaries. Common sense will tell us that dictionary is not enough to give us the real meaning of some words. There is more in some words than meets the eye.

To discern the truth, we must use more than dictionaries to enlighten us, otherwise, we will be limiting our understanding, knowledge and wisdom.

Let us take, for example, two different individuals who discerned the meaning of the word “meek” differently.

The truth, according to Mr. Delfin. a meek person is like an overly submissive Filipino. He said, “The corrupt and thieving government headed by Arroyo and her cronies would love the overly submissive Filipino. Arroyo and her ilk could practice their arrogance and corruption with impunity. Don’t worry, be happy and be “meek” and all the problems will be solved. In fantasy land, maybe.”

The truth according to Rev. Dieleman, a meek person is like Abraham or David or John the Baptist or Paul the Apostle. He said, “Abraham is one person who springs to mind. Remember when the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot argued about water and grass? Abraham proposed a parting of ways. Abraham was the older of the two; it was to him that God gave the promise of the land; so Abraham had every right to choose first. However, Abraham yielded by giving Lot the first choice. And he does it without murmur and without complaint.”

About David, he said, “Remember him as a lad going out to meet mighty Goliath armed only with a sling and 5 pebbles? He slung one stone and killed Goliath. I think you would agree with me that this was one of the greatest moments of David’s life. Did you ever notice that David never describes this victory over Goliath in all of the psalms? He talks about everything else that has happened: enemies, sins, trials, lessons. But he never talks about Goliath. That is meekness.”

About John the Baptist, he said, “He was such a powerful figure that Josephus, the great Jewish historian, reports when John’s name was mentioned many years later people still trembled at the thought of him. Jesus’ eulogy of John was that “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (Mt 11:11). Yet, John was one of the meekest men in history. When asked who he was, John the Baptist simply said, “I am nobody. I am to be heard, not to be seen. I am just a voice” (John 1:23). When John saw the Christ, instead of giving a speech about his own great accomplishments, he sent his disciples to Jesus telling them, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). Another time John said that he was not worthy to untie the thongs of Christ’s sandals (John 1:27). His humility, his meekness, could scarcely be greater.”

Lastly, about Paul the Apostle, Rev. Dieleman said, “What a mighty man of God. Yet he calls himself the worst of all sinners and the least of the apostles (1 Tim 1:15; 1 Cor 15:9).”

Obviously, Rev. Dieleman came up with his understanding, knowledge and wisdom using the Holy Bible, whereas, Mr. Delfin used dictionary.com.

Here is something to ponder for all of us who are Christians in observance of the Holy Week. If we go to dictionary.com and look for the word “Meekness”, we will find at the bottom of the webpage the following: Meekness is the quality or state of being meek, a calm temper of mind, not easily provoked (James 3:13). Peculiar promises are made to the meek (Matt. 5:5; Isa. 66:2). The cultivation of this spirit is enjoined (Col. 3:12; 1 Tim. 6:11; Zeph. 2:3), and is exemplified in Christ (Matt. 11:29), Abraham (Gen. 13; 16:5, 6) Moses (Num. 12:3), David (Zech. 12:8; 2 Sam. 16:10, 12), and Paul (1 Cor. 9:19).

Those who are very observant or sharp-eyed will notice immediately that the online dictionary is directing us to the Holy Bible. The online dictionary is telling us loud and clear that we must use the Holy Bible just like Rev. Adrian Dieleman if we want to know the truth, di ba? Isn’t that amazing?