Mary and Joseph

Mary likely did not wait for her pregnancy to reveal itself. She no doubt had to speak to Joseph. Beforehand, she may have wondered how this decent, God-fearing  man would respond  to what she had to tell him. Nonetheless, she approached him and told him all that had happened to her. As you might imagine, Joseph was deeply troubled. He wanted to believe  this dear girl, but what she  told him about was something that had never happened before. The Bible does not say what thoughts went through his mind or how he reasoned. But it does say that he decided to divorce her, for engaged couples were then viewed as being married. However, he did not want to expose  her to public shame or to punishment, so he chose to divorce  her in secret.  (Matthew 1:18,19)  It must have pained Mary to see this kind of man agonizing over this unprecedented situation. Yet, Mary was not embittered. 

Jehovah did not let Joseph go ahead with what seemed to him the best course. In a dream, God's angel told him that Mary's pregnancy  was indeed miraculous. That must have  been a relief !  Joseph now did what Mary had done from the start-he acted in harmony with Jehovah's leading. He took Mary as his wife, and he prepared to take on this unique responsibility of caring for  Jehovah's Son. -Matthew 1:20-24.  

Married people-and those contemplating marriage-do well to learn from this young couple of 2,000 years ago. As Joseph saw his young wife fulfill the duties and cares of motherhood, he was surely pleased that Jehovah's angel had directed him.  Joseph must have seen the importance of leaning on Jehovah when making major decisions.  (Psalm 37:5; Proverbs 18:13) He no doubt remained careful and kind in making decisions as the family head.

On the other hand, what can we surmise from Mary's willingness to marry Joseph? Although at fist he may have found her story difficult to comprehend, she waited on him as the  man who would be the family head. That certainly was a good lesson for her, as it is for Christian women today. Finally, these incidents likely taught both Joseph and Mary much about the value of honest and open communication. 

That young couple certainly started their marriage off on  the best of foundations.  They both loved Jehovah God above all and yearned to please him as responsible, caring parents. Of course, greater blessings  awaited them-and greater challenges too. Before them lay the prospect of raising Jesus, who would grow up to be the greatest man the world has ever known. 

Next time: Help Your Child to Cope With Grief

From the Watchtower magazine, 2008