Joseph Provided for His Family

It seems that the family did not stay long in Egypt, for soon the angel informed Joseph that Herod was dead.  Joseph led his family back to their homeland.  An ancient prophecy had foretold that Jehovah would call his son "out of  Egypt."  (Matthew 2:15) Joseph helped to fulfill it, but where would he lead his family now?

Joseph was cautious.  He wisely feared Herod's successor, Archelaus, who was likewise vicious and murderous.  Divine guidance led Joseph to take his family up north, away from Jerusalem and all its intrigues, back to his hometown Nazareth in Galilee.  There he and Mary raised their family. -Matthew 2:19-23.

They led a simple life-but not and easy one.  The Bible refers to Joseph as the carpenter, using a word that embraces many ways of working with wood, such as cutting down timber, hauling it, and seasoning for use in building houses, boats and small  bridges, carts, wheels, yokes and all kinds of farm implements.  (Matthew 13:55)  It was hard physical work.  The carpenter in Bible times often worked near the doorway of his simple house or in a shop adjacent to it. .

Joseph used  a wide range of tools, some likely handed down from his father.  He may have used a square, a plummet, a chalk line, a hatchet, a saw, an adze, a hammer, a mallet, chisels, a drill he worked by pulling a bow back and forth, various glues, and perhaps some nails, though they were costly.  

Imagine Jesus as a small boy watching his adoptive father at work.  His eyes wide and intent on Joseph's every movement, he no doubt admired the strength in those broad shoulders and sinewy arms, the skill of the hands, the intelligence in the eyes.  Perhaps Joseph began showing his young son how to perform such tasks as smoothing rough spots on wood with dried fish skin.  He likely taught Jesus the differences between the varieties of wood that he used-the sycamore fig, oak or olive, for example

Next time: Conclusion of Joseph Provided for His Family

The Watchtower, 2012