Shalom, Mitspacha!
Justice - Boundaries of Authority
“You shall not rule over him with harshness, but you shall fear your Elohim.”
- Vayiqra (Leviticus) 25:43
“You shall not pervert the right of your poor in his dispute.”
- Shemot (Exodus) 23:6
“And the rulers said to them, ‘We shall not take authority over the nations as they do.’”
- Mattithyahu (Matthew) 20:25
“But among you it shall not be so; whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.”
- Mattithyahu (Matthew) 20:26
YHVH's Torah places boundaries around the exercise of authority. Having power, position or responsibility does not give a person permission to act unjustly toward those under their authority. Even where one person holds a recognised position of responsibility, that authority remains subject to the fear of YHVH.
The Torah also requires justice when disputes involve those who have less power or fewer resources. Authority must never become a means of manipulating judgement, exploiting vulnerability or denying another person's rightful treatment.
Yahusha likewise rejected the worldly model in which rulers demonstrate greatness by exercising domination over others. He taught His talmidim that greatness is expressed through service. Authority therefore carries a duty to protect, serve and act justly rather than to control for personal advantage.
Authority can reveal whether a person understands responsibility or merely enjoys power. It is easy to demand obedience when others are dependent upon us, but righteous authority recognises that every position of influence remains accountable to YHVH.
Boundaries are therefore necessary. Parents, teachers, employers, leaders and anyone entrusted with responsibility must recognise that their authority has limits. It must never become a licence for cruelty, exploitation, intimidation or injustice.
May we examine the authority entrusted to us and ask whether we use it to protect and serve or to control and benefit ourselves. May we also recognise when authority over us exceeds its proper boundaries and seek righteous ways to respond without abandoning justice or respect.
Let us remember that true strength is demonstrated not by how much power we can exercise, but by how faithfully we restrain that power and use it for the good of others.
Heavenly Father, YHVH, thank You for teaching us that all human authority remains under Your righteous authority. Help us to recognise the limits of every position of power and responsibility.
Keep us from abusing authority or using our position to manipulate, intimidate, exploit or oppress others. Give us humility to remember that those entrusted to our care are not possessions but people whose dignity must be protected.
Give parents, teachers, employers, leaders and all who hold responsibility wisdom to exercise authority with justice, patience and self-control. Help them to protect those who are vulnerable and to serve rather than dominate.
Give courage and wisdom to those who experience unjust or excessive authority. Provide righteous avenues for protection, accountability and justice, and keep them from responding to injustice with further wrongdoing.
Teach us to recognise the difference between rightful authority and domination. May every responsibility entrusted to us become an opportunity to serve, protect and strengthen others according to Your will.
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.