Joseph: A Righteous Father
By Shirley Mitchell
“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”
Matthew 1:18-19
Joseph and Mary were engaged to be married. According to their Jewish customs, the marriage contract was written and signed by her father. Joseph had been to her home. He had offered her the betrothal cup. She drank from it. Later, he learned that she was pregnant. Joseph knew instantly that the baby was not his, but he didn’t know immediately the identity of the father. At this time, he only knew the logical and righteous thing to do. He wouldn’t expose her publicly, but he would handle it privately.
What do you imagine the thoughts were flying through Joseph’s mind at this point? Here are my ideas of Joseph’s possible thoughts based on Jewish culture:
Joseph agonized over the circumstances of the situation. His betrothed…He had already been to her father’s house to ask to marry her. The marriage contract was written and signed. She had already drunk from his cup that he offered to her signifying her consent to the betrothal. He was building a home for them. She was supposed to be preparing herself for him along with her clothes and her jewelry. How thankful he was to be saved from the final act of marriage. He might have never known that Mary was not carrying his child. He might have never known that he was marrying such a loose woman…Loose woman? Mary? She seemed so innocent and sweet. What should he do with her? This could mean death for her. She had slandered his name, but he would not expose her to the community. Yes, he would divorce her quietly.
Joseph of Nazareth didn’t know we would be talking about him 2,000 years later at that point in his life. He had no idea these agonizing circumstances would turn into the most glorious thing that ever happened to him. A little while later, an angel appeared to him and told not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, and the baby was conceived from the Holy Spirit. The angel said Mary would give birth to a Son with the precious Name of Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.
Isn’t it amazing how God corrected this righteous man? The angel delivered to Joseph a message from God that changed Joseph’s decision. When we are on the wrong road, God corrects the righteous. God sends a warning to tell us that we are on the wrong road. He also sends assurance when we are on the right path. We must have ears that are willing to hear Him and not radio jammers that block out something that we don’t want to hear!
Joseph obeyed immediately as the angel had told him…Without Hesitation…Without Doubt…Without Denial…Without Analysis. Did he walk calmly to Mary’s home? Or did he race through the streets until he stood outside her home? Inside, Mary could have chosen despair over her circumstances, but I believe that even though it seemed hopeless that she chose to keep believing her God. I wonder if she prayed something obedient like, “I don’t know what You are doing, but I trust You, Lord. I must not need to know yet.”
Joseph told Mary the angel’s message. He believed the child was from God and told her they were not going to separate. He would provide for Mary and her baby. Did her hands go first to her heart that suddenly began to beat quickly, then to her face as tears rushed to her eyes? Did Joseph tenderly hug her? They married. Later, she gave birth, and they gave Him the Name that the angel told Joseph. It is the Name that welcomes, comforts, mends, divides, and soars believers’ spirits. It is the Only Name by which we are saved! JESUS! Sweet Jesus!
Pray with me: Dear Heavenly Lord, what a wonderful story of a righteous man. You knew how Joseph would respond. You knew he wouldn’t have Mary harmed but quietly put away. You also knew to send the angel to proclaim the good news. It must have been such a tender moment when Joseph told Mary about the angel. How we can’t wait for You to play it for us on Your home DVD recordings!
Father, correct us when we are on the wrong road. Maybe we have chosen logic and the natural thing the world would do. However, sometimes LORD, You are looking for some people who are willing to receive that You will do supernatural things in their lives. May we never be close-minded to Your power displayed in our lives. May we never refuse an encounter with You. You are the sweetest part of all of life! It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, we pray. Amen.
Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study,