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| Joseph sought to do what was best for Mary Photo Source ➚ |
MATTHEW 1:19-25
I've been contemplating what Joseph's feelings might have been during all of this. He is not mentioned a whole lot, but we do get a glimpse into his thoughts during this part of the story. Keep in mind that he was betrothed to Mary, but had not yet consummated their marriage, yet she was found to be with child. This put him in a rather difficult position.
I've been contemplating what Joseph's feelings might have been during all of this. He is not mentioned a whole lot, but we do get a glimpse into his thoughts during this part of the story. Keep in mind that he was betrothed to Mary, but had not yet consummated their marriage, yet she was found to be with child. This put him in a rather difficult position.
Matthew's account does not tell us whether Mary confessed to Joseph the means by which she had become pregnant, or if she's even the one that told him of her condition. One might assume that, when she got back from her three month visit with her cousin, Elisabeth, Mary did just that. However, he might have discovered it from a mutual acquaintance or noticed that she was starting to show. Remember that she was not yet living in his house, and we don't know how frequently they saw each other or conversed, or even how well they knew one other by this time. A betrothal did not necessarily equate to a longstanding affection, although it may have in some cases.
It is really hard to say exactly what Joseph thought of this news. Surely he was aware that she had been away for three months. He may have initially thought that his betrothed had been with another man while she was gone, for he knew that he had not lain with her himself. He likely would not have agreed to marry her in the first place had he not thought her to be a virtuous woman, so one could assume that he was rather shocked, to say the least, to think that she had committed adultery. Perhaps he even briefly feared that Mary had been raped. Did possible adverse reactions from his peers worry him? Would they look down upon him for marrying an unchaste woman, or would they think he had lain with her before she left for Elisabeth's? Obviously, Mary was not going to be able to hide her condition for long. Even if she remained in confinement, a baby would be forthcoming, and community members would soon realize the baby had arrived earlier than they would think acceptable.
Even not knowing yet at who's hands she had become pregnant, I would guess that Joseph felt let down. The bright future he looked forward to with her must have suddenly become so clouded. It seems that he didn't fully understand at first the bigger picture, and thought it wouldn't be right to follow through with marrying her, a woman pregnant with a child he had not fathered. Perhaps he even thought it would be a sin to do so. He was described, after all, as a just man. From this it could be concluded that he sought to follow the laws of God carefully.
Even not knowing yet at who's hands she had become pregnant, I would guess that Joseph felt let down. The bright future he looked forward to with her must have suddenly become so clouded. It seems that he didn't fully understand at first the bigger picture, and thought it wouldn't be right to follow through with marrying her, a woman pregnant with a child he had not fathered. Perhaps he even thought it would be a sin to do so. He was described, after all, as a just man. From this it could be concluded that he sought to follow the laws of God carefully.
According to the Law of Moses, which Joseph would have still felt loyal toward even though they were living under Roman rule by this time, he had several options. He could take her as his wife anyway, he could divorce her and leave her in the care of others, or he could bring the situation before the authorities and have her tried and possibly stoned to death. Becoming pregnant prior to marriage is very common now, but in ancient times it was unacceptable. This was not something to be taken lightly. Joseph was within his rights, maybe even duty bound, to see to it that justice was served.
Yet he thought less of his own shame and disappointment, and more of how to protect Mary from pain. The fact that Joseph chose a very lenient option tells us a lot about his character. Matthew stated the following: "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily." (Matthew 1:19) In other words, he didn't want to bring attention to the situation, which would cause her punishment, shame or death. I think this speaks of his merciful, gentle personality. How many would have, instead, become angry and seen her held accountable to the fullest extent of the law? However, Joseph opposed severity in this matter and sought a consequence that was along the most lenient allowed, a private divorce in which the specifics need not be brought to light.
Yet he thought less of his own shame and disappointment, and more of how to protect Mary from pain. The fact that Joseph chose a very lenient option tells us a lot about his character. Matthew stated the following: "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily." (Matthew 1:19) In other words, he didn't want to bring attention to the situation, which would cause her punishment, shame or death. I think this speaks of his merciful, gentle personality. How many would have, instead, become angry and seen her held accountable to the fullest extent of the law? However, Joseph opposed severity in this matter and sought a consequence that was along the most lenient allowed, a private divorce in which the specifics need not be brought to light.
The power of divorcement was given to men only in Biblical times. The betrothal was considered binding, very similar to a marriage. Thus, legal means had to be pursued in order to dissolve it and still preserve Mary's life. A private divorce is what Joseph figured was best, but he had some thinking to do before going through with it. I would think that even a private divorce would have had some public aspect to it. If it was common knowledge that the two of them were betrothed, the community would need to be made aware that the agreement had been dissolved. Perhaps, at the least, it would have been done in front of a small number of witnesses. Undoubtedly, it was still a matter that weighed heavily on his mind, for he wished to spare her any shame.
Joseph, not wishing to be hasty or to make the wrong decision, took some time to ponder their precarious situation. Surely he was torn by what he felt he had to do. Even if Mary had told him that her pregnancy was of the Holy Ghost (we don't know if she did or didn't), she had no proof. The only way for Joseph to know for himself with complete certainty was for the message to come from God. That night or one soon thereafter, something very merciful happened, which put an end to Joseph's questions as to what to do. An angel appeared to him in a dream, telling him that he need not fear following through with taking Mary as his wife. It was then that he was told that her pregnancy was of the Holy Ghost, not man, and that her son was to be named Jesus, because He was to "save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
This was a direct fulfillment of prophecy that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14), something that Joseph and his people had watched for with hope. Obviously, Matthew drew this connection as well. "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Matthew 1:22-23) The name "Jesus" basically means "God is salvation". "Emmanuel" means "God with us". So, really, these two names explain a very similar meaning as to who Jesus is. He is our God and it is through Him that salvation is possible.
Imagine how Joseph "son of David" felt! He was to rear the Son of God! His betrothed had been chosen to bring Him into the world! The long awaited prophecy was soon to be fulfilled! It appears that he did not even hesitate after this. There are no more "while he thought on these things" (Matthew 1:20) phrases in this portion of the text, but the following instead: "Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife." (Matthew 1:24)
The last verse of the chapter reads, "And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus." The phrase "knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son" means that their marriage was not consummated until after she gave birth. This showed his great restraint. Perhaps we tend to gloss over this aspect of the story, but it was no small sacrifice, I am sure.
In the coming months, as Mary's condition became more noticeable, Joseph stood by her. Mary was undoubtedly in confinement for much of her pregnancy, meaning that she would have remained largely out of sight, but how did family members in the community, aware of the situation, treat them? Were they supportive or judgmental?
This time period in their relationship probably bound them together in a union of trust. Mary trusted Joseph to protect her from shame, and Joseph trusted that Mary had been faithful to him and would continue to be. Both trusted God to see them through, and to allow them to raise up the Messiah, that He might fulfill his great mission. They undoubtedly had conversations about what the future might look like for their family and, specifically, for Jesus. Come what may, they would get through it together. What a great example of what marriages are meant to be like.
Joseph's reaction speaks of pure obedience and faith. He was slow to anger, reluctant to judge harshly, and was careful and thoughtful in his actions. He simply did what God wanted him to do, as soon as he knew what He expected of him. The more I think about it, the more I realize how much of "a just man" he really was. He sought to follow the law and to follow God, and was naturally kind toward the woman to whom he was espoused, even when all might have seemed against him. There is much to be learned from Joseph. He truly was a humble, obedient and just man.
This was a direct fulfillment of prophecy that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14), something that Joseph and his people had watched for with hope. Obviously, Matthew drew this connection as well. "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Matthew 1:22-23) The name "Jesus" basically means "God is salvation". "Emmanuel" means "God with us". So, really, these two names explain a very similar meaning as to who Jesus is. He is our God and it is through Him that salvation is possible.
Imagine how Joseph "son of David" felt! He was to rear the Son of God! His betrothed had been chosen to bring Him into the world! The long awaited prophecy was soon to be fulfilled! It appears that he did not even hesitate after this. There are no more "while he thought on these things" (Matthew 1:20) phrases in this portion of the text, but the following instead: "Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife." (Matthew 1:24)
The last verse of the chapter reads, "And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus." The phrase "knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son" means that their marriage was not consummated until after she gave birth. This showed his great restraint. Perhaps we tend to gloss over this aspect of the story, but it was no small sacrifice, I am sure.
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| Joseph's kindness toward Mary Photo Source ➚ |
This time period in their relationship probably bound them together in a union of trust. Mary trusted Joseph to protect her from shame, and Joseph trusted that Mary had been faithful to him and would continue to be. Both trusted God to see them through, and to allow them to raise up the Messiah, that He might fulfill his great mission. They undoubtedly had conversations about what the future might look like for their family and, specifically, for Jesus. Come what may, they would get through it together. What a great example of what marriages are meant to be like.
Joseph's reaction speaks of pure obedience and faith. He was slow to anger, reluctant to judge harshly, and was careful and thoughtful in his actions. He simply did what God wanted him to do, as soon as he knew what He expected of him. The more I think about it, the more I realize how much of "a just man" he really was. He sought to follow the law and to follow God, and was naturally kind toward the woman to whom he was espoused, even when all might have seemed against him. There is much to be learned from Joseph. He truly was a humble, obedient and just man.