Insights into Joseph

In the Sunday morning youth class we have started studying through the gospel of Matthew. As I was looking through chapter 1, I was struck by the character of Joseph. No wonder the Lord chose him to be Jesus’ earthly father. Because there is so little mentioned in Scripture about him, much of this is simply my speculations. Here are some conclusions I drew about Joseph that I thought were interesting.

Perhaps he was a quiet man– Joseph is never recorded as saying anything in Scripture. It talks about what he did, but neither Matthew or Luke have him saying anything. I’d like to think that this was because he was a hard working, God-fearing, kind man who didn’t talk unless he really had something good to say. I’m thinking God would want His Son to be raised by a wise man, and one, unlike me, that doesn’t talk too much.

Joseph Truly Loved-I wonder how much emotional pain Joseph was feeling were when he first found out Mary was pregnant. I know he had to be devastated, and even angry. But he loved Mary enough that he didn’t want to make a public spectacle of her perceived “unfaithfulness” and embarrass her even further (Matthew 1:19). According to Jewish law he could have had her stoned. But when God told him in a dream that this is the Son of God conceived by the Holy Spirit, Joseph took on the task of being a loving husband and father. Imagine his joy, relief, and restored faith when he realized that his beloved Mary was truly faithful, faithful enough to be chosen to bring Christ into the world. I’m guessing he apologized to Mary a lot that next day.

Joseph was confident in the truth-It takes a lot of confidence to stand on the truth, especially when others don’t believe you. The situation between Mary and Joseph had to be good town gossip. Think of the conversation. Joseph-”No, he is not an illegitimate child. He is the Messiah, and He was born when Mary was a virgin, like the prophesy in Isaiah says.” Nazarene townsperson-”Yeah right, and I’m the prophet Elijah.” But Joseph knew the truth. He had the strength of character to endure ridicule and be confident in God.