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 the hometown of Nazareth in Galilee. There he and Mary raised their family. -Matthew 2:19-2.

They led a simple life-but not an 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 it for use in building houses, boats, 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 that he worked by pulling a bow back and forth, various glues, and perhaps  some nails, though they were costly.

Next time: Conclusion of Joseph Provided for His Family

From the Watchtower magazine, 2012