A GODLY VIEW OF MORAL CLEANNESS

Joseph-Blessed for His Moral Conduct

Likely you are familiar with the Bible example of Joseph, the son of Jacob.  At the age of 17, he found himself a slave belonging to Potiphar, chief of the bodyguard for Pharaoh of Egypt.  Jehovah blessed Joseph, and in time was appointed  over all the house  of Potiphar.  By the time he reached his 20's, Joseph had become "beautiful in form and beautiful in appearance."  He attracted the attention of Potiphar's wife, who tried to seduce him.   Joseph  made clear his position, explaining that to consent would be not only a betrayal of his master but also a "sin against God."  Why did Joseph reason as he did? -Genesis39:1-9.

Evidently, Joseph's decision was not based on fear of being found out by humans.  Joseph's family  lived far away, and his father thought  he was dead.  If Joseph engaged in sexual immorality,  his family would never know of it.  Such a sin could probably also be concealed from Potiphar and his male servants, since there were times when they were not allowed in the house.  (Genesis  39:11) Yet, Joseph knew that  such conduct could not be hidden from God.

Joseph must have reasoned on what he knew about Jehovah. Doubtless he knew what Jehovah had proclaimed in the garden of Eden: "That is why a man will never leave  his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become  one flesh." (Genesis 2:24)  Further, Joseph was likely aware  of what Jehovah had told a Philistine king who was bent on seducing Joseph
  great-grandmother Sarah.  Jehovah told  that king:  "Here you are as good as dead because of the woman whom you have taken, since she is owned  by another owner as his wife . . .And I was also holding you back from sinning against me.  That is why I did not allow you to touch her."  (Genesis 20:3, 6) So while Joseph had not yet provided a written law, his feelings about marriage were clear.  Joseph's moral sense, along with his desire to please Jehovah, made him reject immorality.

Potiphar's wife, however, was persistent, imploring him "day after day" to lie with her.  Why did Joseph not simply avoid her?  Well, as a slave, he had duties to perform  and could do little to change his situation.  Archaeological evidence suggests that the design of Egyptian houses made it necessary to pass through the main part of the home to reach the storerooms.  Hence, it may have been impossible for Joseph to avoid Potiphar's wife. -Genesis 39:10.

The day came when they were alone in the house.  Potiphar's wife reached for Joseph and cried out:  "Lie down with me!"  He fled.  Stung by his rejection , she accused him of attempted rape.  What were the consequences?  Did Jehovah immediately reward him for his course of integrity?  No.  Joseph was thrown into prison and bound in fetters.  (Genesis 39:12, 20; Psalm 105:18)  Jehovah saw the injustice and eventually elevated Joseph from a prison to a palace.  He became the second most powerful person in Egypt and was blessed with a wife and children.  (Genesis 41:14, 15, 39-45, 50-52)  Further, the account of Joseph's integrity was recorded 3,500 years ago for the consideration of God's servants ever since.  What wonderful blessings for adhering to God's righteous laws!  Similarly, we today may not always wee the immediate benefits of maintaining moral integrity, but we can be assured that Jehovah sees and will bless us in due time. -2 Corinthians 16:9.

Next time: Job's Covenant With His Eyes

Watchtower, 2000

Trust in an Imperfect World

Integrity and the Christians Ministry

Is integrity a quality that Jehovah esteems just for his own satisfaction? No, integrity has an intrinsic value for us humans. It was for our benefit that Jesus admonished us to 'love Jehovah our God with our whole heart and with our whole soul and with our whole mind.' Truly, this is "the greatest and first commandment," and it takes a man, woman, or child of integrity to keep it. (Matthew 22:36-38) What is involved, and what are the rewards?

A man of integrity can be trusted, not just by his fellow man but, more important, by God. His purity of heart is seen in his actions; he is free from hypocrisy. He is not devious or corrupt. The apostle Paul put it this way: "We have renounce the underhanded things of which to be ashamed, not walking with cunning, neither by adulterating the word of God, but by making the truth manifest recommending ourselves to every human conscience in the sight of God." _ 2 Corinthians 4:2.

Notice that Paul mentions attitudes that have to do with the Christian ministry. How can a Christians minister serve others if his hands are not pure, if he is not a man of integrity? The head of an Irish religious order who recently resigned well illustrates the point. He admitted that he "allowed a paedophile priest to continue working with children long after his child abuse became known," according to The Independent newspaper. The account explained that the abuse extended over 24 years. The priest was jailed for four years, but think of the suffering imposed upon the children because his overseer lacked the moral integrity to take action!

Next time: Integrity-The Rewards

Watchtower, 1997

Trust in an Imperfect World

The Integrity of Job

Job's stand, maintaining his integrity under test, is well-known. Interestingly, Job did not understand why disaster came upon him. He did not know that Satan had imputed false motives to him, alleging that Job served God for selfish reasons and claiming that to save his own skin , Job would willingly break his integrity. God allowed Job to undergo some very trying experiences so as to show that Satan was wrong. -Job 1:6-12; 2:1-8.

Three false friends entered the picture. They deliberately misrepresented God's standards and purposes. Even Job's wife also unable to see the issue, failed to encourage her husband in his time of extreme need. (Job 2:9-13) But Job stood firm. "Until I expire I shall not take away my integrity, from myself! On my justness I have laid hold, and I shall not let it go; my heart will not taunt me for any of my days." -Job 27:5, 6.

Job's sterling example, along with the integrity of many other faithful men and women, as recorded in the Bible, proved Satan a liar.

Next time: Integrity and the Christian Ministry

Watchtower, 1997

Trust in an Imperfect World

The Basis of Integrity

King David of Israel made many mistakes including his well-documented adulterous relationship with Bath-sheba. ( 2 Samuel 11:1-27) David's many failings served to highlight that he was far from perfect. What, though, did Jehovah see in the man? Addressing David's son, Solomon, Jehovah said: "Walk before me, just as David your father walked , with integrity of heart and with uprightness." (1 Kings 9:4) Despite his may mistakes, David's basic trustworthiness was recognized by Jehovah. Why?"

David gave the answer when he told Solomon: "All hearts Jehovah is searching, and every inclination of the thoughts he is discerning." ( 1 Chronicles 28:9) David made mistakes, but he was humble, and he wanted to do what was right. He consistently accepted reproof and correction-indeed, he asked for it. "Examine me, O Jehovah, and put me to the test; refine my kidneys and my heart: was his request. (Psalm 26:2) And refined David was. The constraints resulting from his sin with Bath-sheba, for example, lasted until the end of his life. Still, David never tried to justify his wrongdoing. (2 Samuel 12:1-2) More important, he never swerved from true worship. For this reason, and because of David's genuine, heartfelt contrition and repentance, Jehovah was prepared to forgive his sins and accept him as a man of integrity. -See also Psalm 51.

Next time:Trustworthy Under Test

Watchtower, 1997