Shalom, Mitspacha!
According to the Gregorian calendar, today is Derech Olam's founding anniversary, established in 2020.
We began as a standard WARNING ministry, later added SHABBAT messages separately, then added DAILY messages to the SHABBAT messages, and eventually joined the two services together. Along the way, the ministry also went through two name changes as YHVH continued to guide its development.
Today we give thanks to YHVH for the journey, for every lesson learned, and for every person who has been reached through the ministry. May Derech Olam continue to serve according to His purpose and remain faithful to the path He has established.
Restraint over Domination
“Do not rule over him with harshness, but fear your Elohim.”
- Vayiqra (Leviticus) 25:43
“But among you it shall not be so; whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.”
- Mattithyahu (Matthew) 20:26
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
- Mishle (Proverbs) 16:32
YHVH's Torah places limits on the exercise of power. Even where authority or ownership exists, it does not give a person permission to dominate another through harshness, cruelty or oppression. The command concerning the treatment of a fellow Yisraelite servant shows that authority remains subject to the fear of YHVH.
The Renewed Covenant carries this principle further by rejecting the worldly model in which greatness is measured by domination over others. Yahusha taught His talmidim that true greatness is expressed through service rather than control. Authority therefore carries responsibility, and strength must remain under righteous restraint.
Restraint is not weakness. It is the disciplined refusal to use power merely because we possess it. YHVH calls His people to exercise authority with justice, humility and self-control rather than seeking to dominate those who are weaker or dependent upon them.
Power reveals the character of the person who possesses it. It is easy to control others when we have the ability to do so, but righteousness is demonstrated when we deliberately restrain ourselves from using strength for selfish purposes.
YHVH does not measure greatness by how many people we can control. His Torah teaches us to fear Him even when we have authority, while Yahusha teaches us that greatness is found in serving others. True strength therefore includes the ability to stop ourselves from becoming harsh, controlling or oppressive.
May we examine the ways in which we exercise influence over others. May we never confuse authority with ownership of another person, or strength with the right to dominate. Let us allow the fear of YHVH to govern our actions so that our strength becomes a means of protection and service rather than domination.
Heavenly Father, YHVH, thank You for teaching us that authority must remain under Your righteous rule. Help us to exercise whatever influence or responsibility You entrust to us with humility, wisdom and self-control.
Keep us from harshness, pride and the desire to dominate others. Teach us to recognise the dignity of every person and to remember that all authority ultimately remains accountable to You.
Give us strength to restrain ourselves when we could impose our will upon others. Help us to use our abilities to protect, serve and strengthen those who are entrusted to our care rather than to control or oppress them.
Teach us the kind of greatness that Yahusha demonstrated - greatness expressed through service, humility and love. May the fear of YHVH govern our hearts and may our strength always be brought under righteous restraint.
Baruch YHVH. Emet.
“YHVH bless you and keep you;
YHVH make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
YHVH lift up His countenance upon you,
and give you peace.”
- Bemidbar (Numbers) 6:24-26
Shalom until tomorrow.