Hello ,
Joseph is espoused to be married to Mary. In America we get engaged and then we marry. A Jewish marriage had four stages.
1. The friendship between the man and woman was approved of by the
family.
2. Engagement. This contract was arranged by the family.
3. Betrothal. This was a public ratification of the engagement. It lasted for one
year, during which time the couple officially "belonged" to each other, but didn't have the rights of actually living together. The only way a betrothal could be terminated was through a divorce. If the husband happened to die before the actual wedding, the girl was called a "Virgin who is a Widow."
4. Marriage.
Taking place after a one year betrothal.
Being espoused to someone was a very big deal according to the customs of the day. It was not taken nearly as lightly as it is in America today. As we watch the story unfold, several attributes about Joseph, Mary's espoused partner rise to the surface:
1. Joseph was a righteous man. It was clear that Joseph was not just righteous in word, but in his deeds as well.
2. Joseph was an honorable man. When it was revealed to Joseph that Mary was pregnant, he had plans to privately divorce her
so that she would not be under public scrutiny.
3. Joseph was a just man. According to the law of that day, Joseph could have dragged Mary to the local religious authorities and have her stoned for being pregnant prior to their marriage. His unwillingness to do that, and to guard her "secret" speaks of his sense of
mercy towards her, (even when he didn't understand what was happening, and why she was pregnant.)
4. Joseph was open to God's leading. I am a father of two young ladies. One is 24, and the other is almost 22 years of age. One of my greatest desires for each of them has been that they find life partners who will
be men of God. I'm not nearly as interested in their spouse's abilities to dazzle others, grace the cover of GQ magazine, or have incredible athletic prowess. My greatest hope is that they will be sold out to God, and in turn be sold out to my daughters and to their families. Being open to God's leading in their lives, and in the lives of their families is the highest goal that they could ever achieve. Joseph is willing to listen to the voice of God despite his own
misunderstanding of the situation.
To say that the earthly parents of Jesus were "hand-picked" by God would be am accurate statement! These two young people are about to take an incredible journey together, as they prepare to welcome the Messiah into their family.
More tomorrow. Have a great day and God bless!
Pastor Mike
