The Gospels do not tell much about Joseph. What we do see in Joseph is a simple, honest, hardworking, warmhearted, obedient, God fearing man of integrity. Joseph was a carpenter by trade who strictly observed Jewish law and custom. Joseph’s character is further revealed in his reconciliation to Mary after learning she was with child amid probable hostility and slander by his neighbors. Matthew 1:19, 20 says, “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. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’”
The conception and birth of Jesus Christ was definitely beyond any human logic or reasoning so God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream. God sent angels when supernatural events were to occur to help people understand the significance of these messages. In Matthew 1:24, 25 we are told, “When Joseph work up he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” Joseph willingly obeyed God’s will no matter the consequences.
Luke, writing to a predominately Greek audience, was the only Gospel writer to detail accounts of the political situation at that time. Palestine was now under the rule of the Roman Empire with Caesar Augustus the Emperor. He issued a decree for a census or registration to be taken of the entire Roman world. This was a mandatory military conscription or enrollment or a tax collection. While Jews did not have to serve in the Roman army, they did have to pay taxes to the government in their own town.
Luke 2:4-7 explains, “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Since God is in control of all history, this decree by Caesar Augustus forcing Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem fulfilled the prophecy in Micah 5:2 of a “ruler over Israel” to come from Bethlehem. Mary wrapped the baby in cloths presumably to protect internal organs and provide a sense of security.
Traditionally, the mention of a manger leads us to the belief Jesus was born in a stable. Often stables were caves with feeding troughs carved into rock walls, dark and dirty places. Luke shows the contrast of Roman emperors who considered themselves gods and the birth of a baby placed in a manger who was truly God in the flesh.
The conception and birth of Jesus Christ was definitely beyond any human logic or reasoning so God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream. God sent angels when supernatural events were to occur to help people understand the significance of these messages. In Matthew 1:24, 25 we are told, “When Joseph work up he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” Joseph willingly obeyed God’s will no matter the consequences.
Luke, writing to a predominately Greek audience, was the only Gospel writer to detail accounts of the political situation at that time. Palestine was now under the rule of the Roman Empire with Caesar Augustus the Emperor. He issued a decree for a census or registration to be taken of the entire Roman world. This was a mandatory military conscription or enrollment or a tax collection. While Jews did not have to serve in the Roman army, they did have to pay taxes to the government in their own town.
Luke 2:4-7 explains, “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Since God is in control of all history, this decree by Caesar Augustus forcing Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem fulfilled the prophecy in Micah 5:2 of a “ruler over Israel” to come from Bethlehem. Mary wrapped the baby in cloths presumably to protect internal organs and provide a sense of security.
Traditionally, the mention of a manger leads us to the belief Jesus was born in a stable. Often stables were caves with feeding troughs carved into rock walls, dark and dirty places. Luke shows the contrast of Roman emperors who considered themselves gods and the birth of a baby placed in a manger who was truly God in the flesh.
Joseph’s character and obedience to God is shown in his complete self-sacrifice leaving everything behind when fleeing to Egypt after the Magi visited them. Matthew 2:13-15 references second appearance of an angel to Joseph in a dream. “When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’
So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’” Joseph’s saving his infant son reveals action indicative of someone worthy to fulfill the role imposed upon him by God. Joseph was Jesus’ legal father and made responsible for his safety and well-being.
No comments:
Post a Comment