Fear of God on the Job

“And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:” (Genesis 42:18)

   Joseph was one of Jacob’s twelve sons. He was Jacob’s favorite. His brothers hated him for that. One day they threw him into a pit and later sold him. They let their father Jacob believe he had been killed by a wild animal. Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an Egyptian military officer.

   Joseph was a great worker; but then more trouble. Mrs. Potiphar started to hit on Joseph. He kept telling her no. Then she accused him of trying to molest her. He was imprisoned on a false sexual assault charge. Yet even there, “…the LORD was with Joseph,” (Genesis 39:21)

   Two of Pharaoh’s servants were also in prison. Both had dreams that Joseph interpreted. One servant was restored to Pharaoh’s service. Two years later, Pharaoh had troubling dreams. The servant told him about Joseph. Pharaoh summoned Joseph and told him the dreams. Joseph said God was warning him of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine.

   Pharaoh was impressed with Joseph and gave him the job of supervising food-gathering in the good years. He said, “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the spirit of God is?” (Genesis 41:38) He told Joseph, “…according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled:” (Genesis 41:40) Joseph went from slavery to prison to the second-highest office in Egypt.

   When the famine hit and Joseph’s brothers showed up for food, he didn’t use his power for revenge. He was merciful because, as he told them, “…I fear God:” God had been with Joseph through all his trials. Joseph also feared God and trusted in Him, even as an Egyptian leader.

   Fear of God will help you as a cop. It helps you realize God put you where you are: “…he [God] putteth down one, and setteth up another.” (Psalm 75:7) It helps you realize God knows even your thoughts: “…I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.” (Ezekiel 11:5) It also helps you see you’re accountable to Him for what you do: “…Fear God, and keep his commandments:…For God shall bring every work into judgment,” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

   Fear of God helps you have integrity: “He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD:” (Proverbs 14:2) Fear of God helps you seek His Word for guidance: “Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD:” (Psalm 115:11) Fear of God helps you act wisely: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:” (Proverbs 9:10)

   Most importantly, fear of God helps you understand how God forgives sins and gives eternal life to those who receive Jesus, God the Son, as their personal Saviour: “Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him;” (Psalm 85:9) If you want to know how to have God’s forgiveness of sins and eternal life by receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”

Brian Miller 8/16/2021

Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216-671-2822