Dominion

 Devotion: The Blessing to Replenish, Subdue, and Have Dominion

Scripture:
"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion..."
— Genesis 1:28 (KJV)

Personal Reflection:
As I continue to meditate on God’s first words of blessing, today I come to His command to replenish the earth, subdue it, and have dominion. Once again, the Hebrew meanings bring depth and clarity to words I may have too lightly passed over before.

Replenish means to fill, to be complete, to bring to satisfaction. God’s intent is not for us to live in emptiness or lack, but in fullness and wholeness. In His design, His people live fruitful, meaningful lives, fulfilling His purposes on the earth. But sadly, Gnostic ideas — both ancient and modern — have led many Christians to view enjoyment of God’s good creation with suspicion or even guilt. The Hebraic understanding reminds me that while the world is fallen, it is still God’s creation, to be received with thanksgiving and managed with wisdom.

Subdue and have dominion point me to God’s calling for mankind to exercise righteous authority in the earth. As Jewish scholarship shows, dominion carries the idea of ruling, not as tyrants, but as stewards under God’s authority. Whether in leadership, work, family, or ministry, God’s design is that His people reflect His order, His wisdom, and His justice.

Yet I am also warned: dominion and blessing are directly connected to obedience. Deuteronomy 28 reminds me that God desires His children to be the head and not the tail, but that position comes through hearing His voice and obeying His commandments. Disobedience disrupts blessing; obedience restores and multiplies it.

Contemplation:
Am I walking in God’s blessing of dominion today? Do I live in the fullness of His provision, or am I weighed down by man-made religious rules that rob me of the joy of present salvation? Have I allowed Gnostic thinking, legalism, or fear to make me feel guilty for receiving God’s good gifts?

Have I submitted fully to His lordship so that I can exercise righteous dominion in the spheres He’s entrusted to me — my family, my work, my ministry, my finances?

Today's Confession:
"I have been blessed by God to replenish the earth, to subdue it, and to walk in dominion. I receive His blessing with thanksgiving. I reject legalism and embrace the freedom and fullness found in Christ. I walk in obedience, and the blessing of the Lord rests upon me."

Prayer:
Father, thank You for blessing me with the power to succeed and prosper according to Your Word. You have called me to replenish the earth, to enjoy Your creation, and to rule with wisdom and justice under Your authority. Search my heart, Lord, and reveal any disobedience that would hinder Your blessing. Teach me to walk in holiness, not according to man-made rules, but according to Your Word. May I reflect Your righteousness in every area of dominion You entrust to me. I receive Your blessing today by faith, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.