Honoring God by David Jeremiah

Honoring God Then Judah came near to [Joseph] and said: “O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh.” Genesis 44:18 Submitting to earthly authorities is only one step removed from submitting to God Himself. At our jobs, we are to work for our employer as if we are working for God (Colossians 3:23). And when we submit to civil authorities, it is like submitting to God since He established their authority (Romans 13:1-5). One of the things Joseph’s brothers did right was submitting to Joseph as if he was the Pharaoh.

Recommended Reading: Romans 13:1-5

Submission is a hard thing to do—at least with reverence and honor. Joseph’s brother, Judah, slowly sensed that God was doing something unexpected in their relationship with Joseph (whom they had not recognized). Because of this, Judah bowed in honor before Joseph in recognition of the authority of Joseph’s position. He humbled himself before the one who ultimately would save Jacob’s family. There is a lesson there for us. Humility and honor for authority figures is always appropriate since God is at work in our life through them. Agreement is not the immediate point—honor is. Reverence and boasting cannot be found on the same platform.  A. W. Tozer