Learning From Jesus' Human Family-Joseph-A Righteous Man

Joseph-A Righteous Man

When Joseph found out that his fiancee was pregnant "before they were united," he must have been torn between his love for Mary and his aversion  to even the appearance of immorality.  The whole situation seemed to be infringement upon his right as her future husband.  In his day, an engaged woman was engaged woman  was considered  as good as the man's wife. After considerable though, Joseph decided to divorce Mary secretly so that she would be spared being stoned as an adulteress.-Matthew 1:18; Deuteronomy 22:23, 24.

Then an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said:  "Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife home, for that which has been forgotten in her is by holy spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you must call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."  Upon receiving that divine direction,Joseph acted accordingly and took Mary home. -Matthew 1:20-24. 

With this decision, that righteous and faithful man became involved in the fulfillment of what Jehovah had spoken through the prophet Isaiah:  "Look! the maiden herself will actually become pregnant, and she is giving birth to a son, and she will certainly  call his name Immanuel."  (Isaiah 7:14) Joseph was surely a spiritual man who appreciated the privilege of becoming the adoptive father of the Messiah, despite the fact  that Mary's firstborn son would not be his own.

Joseph refrained from having intercourse with Mary until after she had given birth to her son.  (Matthew 1:25)   For the now newlywed couple, abstinence might have been a challenge, but they apparently did not want any misunderstanding as to who the Father of the baby was.  What a wonderful example of self-control!  Joseph put spiritual values ahead of his natural desires.

On four occasions, Joseph received angelic direction about raising his adoptive son.  Three of these were regarding where to raise the boy.  Prompt obedience was vital for the survival of the child.  In all instances, Joseph immediately acted , taking the young child first to Egypt and then back to Israel.  This protected young Jesus from Herod's massacre of babies.  Also, Joseph's obedience resulted in the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the Messiah. -Matthew 2:13-23.

Joseph taught Jesus a trade so that he could care for himself.  Thus, Jesus was known as "the carpenter."  (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3)  The apostle Paul wrote that Jesus was "tested in all respects like ourselves."  This naturally would have included working hard to help support the family. -Hebrews 4:15.

Finally, we see evidence of Joseph's devotion  to true worship in the last episode in which he appears in the Christian Greek Scriptures.  Joseph took his family to Jerusalem for the Passover.  Only males were required to attend, but Joseph made it a custom to take his family to Jerusalem "from year to year."  He made great sacrifices , for they had to walk some 65 miles from Nazareth to Jerusalem. On the occasion reported on in the Scriptures, though, Jesus got separated from the group.  He was found at the temple, listening to and  questioning the teachers  of the Law.  Though but 12 years old, Jesus manifested great wisdom and knowledge of God's Word.  From this incident, we see that Jesus' parents must have taught him well, bringing him up to be a spiritually-minded boy.  (Luke 2:41-50) Joseph apparently died some time after this, since there is no mention of him in later Scriptural accounts.

Yes, Joseph was a righteous man who cared well for his family, both spiritually and physically.  Do you, like Joseph,m put spiritual interest first in your life when you discern what God's will is for us today? (Oh, yes, I do put spiritual interests first)  (1 Timothy 2:4, 5) Do you willingly obey God's voice as expressed in the Word of God,m thereby showing Joseph like submission?  do you teach your children so that they can carry on spiritually meaningful conversations with others? 

Next time: Mary-An Unselfish Servant of God

The Watchtower, 2003