Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Joseph's reaction

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.
Digital Painting, Corel Painter


Over a thousand years before the birth of Christ, David wrote this Psalm.  This verse seems to fit what Joseph and Mary had to deal with.  It would be amazing to be visited by an angel. 
Psalm 19:7
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
NKJV
Matthew 1:18-25
18 After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
Joseph seemed to have the same reaction to this as Mary, "What!!?  Wait a minute..."   Joseph, like a lot of men, came up with a plan in his mind and knew how he was going to fix things.  By this time, Mary knew she was carrying a baby.  She trusted God, believed Gabriel, and now she would've felt incredibly alone.  It's important to realize that during this time period women were stoned to death for adultery.  Joseph didn't want this to happen to Mary so he was thinking about hiding her.  He must've loved her.  


This is how God worked it out: 
20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."  (Isaiah 7:14)
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Joseph strikes me as a simple man, a carpenter.  He's honorable and keeps his word.  Obviously he has great strength and faith that God would choose him to take care of Mary and Jesus.  Joseph and Mary were asked to believe and do the unacceptable, the impossible.  But the purpose behind what God had in mind is beyond comprehension. Both Mary and Joseph were from the lineage of David fulfilling this prophecy about Jesus:
Isaiah 9:7
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
NKJV

I'm so glad they took God at His Word and didn't give up.  I can only imagine what Joseph was thinking through all of this :  )

4 comments:

  1. I have and will always admire Joseph's simplicity and how he kept his word. I have to admit i never really thought about what Joseph must have thought with all these things happening to him...hhhmmm makes me want to really reflect on all of it. Thanks Karen for all the lovely posts and inspiration this year. You have been a blessing! :) Happy Holidays!

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  2. Thank you Murugi! I have a soft spot in my heart for Joseph, he had the future all planned out. And then this happens. But it's so like our lives- "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Prov. 16:9 I appreciate your encouragement very much : ) God bless you!

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  3. Hi Karen,
    It is so true, men try to be fixers. I like how you take each verse and break it down with your commentary! The Holy Spirit breaths such life into these scriptures that we have read many times!
    Thank you so much for the wonderful work you are doing for the Kingdom with this blog, It is such a blessing to many!
    ~Merry CHRISTmas & May God pour out His blessings to you and your family in 2012~
    Lisa

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  4. Oh bless you Lisa! Thanks so much for the encouragement. Merry CHRISTmas to you and your family too.

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