Joseph – A Good Man
This is a repost of a blog written in August 2020
Disclaimer: Please be aware, these are just my thoughts and my points of view. I do not have the authority to judge anyone, to preach to anyone or to try and convince anyone of anything. If you are offended by Religion, Faith or God please do not read this blog. If you are not a Christian please read this with an open mind or do not read it at all. if this blog offends you in any way, please accept my apologies, it was not meant for you.
Have you ever sat back and thought about Joseph? Joseph who was Jesus’ earthly dad? Joseph who married Mary, even though she was pregnant, supposedly to God, the Holy Spirit. If you read his story, you will realise that Joseph is a good man. A really good man. 🙂
Each morning I go into my Bible App and work my way through a few plans. One of the plans I am doing at the moment is called ‘Starting The Journey – Disciple Makers Series #1’. It is walking me through how Matthew walked God’s people on a journey that will take them from where they are to be Disciple Makers.
Today’s lesson was called ‘The Picture of a “good man”’. It talks about how Joseph was a person of integrity, he was going to divorce Mary and could have shamed her publicly or done it quietly, but he chose to do it quietly. THEN he heard God speak to him and he walked in 100% obedience to God. He took the public shame of Mary being pregnant to someone else and married her anyway.
This is the Scripture – Matthew 1:18-25
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
This really touched something in me, so I decided to do some investigations in Joseph. Boy, did that lead me down a few rabbit warrens 😛
Did you know there are at least 12 different Jospehs in the Bible!!!!! I thought this investigation was going to be easy – open the Bible App, type in Joseph and read the verses that pop up!!!!! I start to scroll through the verses, there were so many, I mean seriously, I didn’t think the name Joseph was that popular 😛 So I googled ‘How many Josephs are in the Bible’ and there were so many articles on this subject, but it seems the consensus is that there are around 12…
It is also interesting to note that Joseph (Jesus’ earthly father) is only mentioned by name in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament. Even though the Gospel of Mark is believed to be the first gospel to be written and also written after the Epistles of Paul, these books did not mention Joseph.
Joseph in more detail
Let’s look at Joseph in more detail 🙂
Joseph lived in Nazareth – Luke 2:4
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”
Josephs Genealogy – he comes ‘down the line’ from King David, through his son Solomon – Matthew 1:6-18
“And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
Joseph Genealogy also ‘comes down the line’ from King David’s son Nathan – Luke 3:23-31
“And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,”
Joseph is Betrothed to Mary – Matthew 1:18
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
Joseph considers ‘walking away’ from Mary – Matthew 1:19
“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.”
An Angel talks to Joseph – Matthew 1:20-21
“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Joseph follows what God wanted with 100% faith – Matthew 1:24
“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:”
Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem – Luke 2: 4-5
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”
Jesus was born to Joseph and Mary – Matthew 1:25 & Luke 2:6-7
“And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Mary and Joseph present Jesus to the Lord – Luke 2:22-24
“And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
Another Angel appears before Joseph and tells him to flee – Matthew 2:13-14
“And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:”
Another Angel appears to Joseph and tells him to return to Nazareth – Matthew 2:19-21
“But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.”
Joseph settles his family in Nazareth – Matthew 2:22-24 & Luke 2:39
“But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”
“And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.”
Joseph & Mary travelled to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover every year – Luke 2:40-42
“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.”
Joseph & Mary accidentally leave Jesus in Jerusalem – Luke 2:42-45
“And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.”
Joseph & Mary found Jesus in the temple – Luke 2:46-50
“And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.”
Joseph & Mary took Jesus back to Nazareth – Luke 2:51-52
“And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
Joseph’s Occupation & Family
There is only a small part of the Bible that talks about Joseph’s family and his occupation, although it does not mention Joseph by name, we all know who they are talking about 🙂
Matthew 13:54-56 tells us that Joseph was a carpenter, he married Mary and he had 4 sons, James, Joses, Simon and Judas. He also had daughters, although it is not mentioned how many or what their names were.
“And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?”
Death of Joseph
After the Gospel of Luke chapter 2, it appears that Joseph isn’t mentioned by name again. I could not find anything on his death, but after reading many articles, it seems that they believe he was dead before Jesus crusifiction as he is not mentioned – John 19:25-36
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!”
BUT – How amazing was Joseph
Just think of the type of person Joseph was, he married Mary who was already pregnant to the Holy Ghost. He received multiple messages from Angels telling him what to do and he followed them 100% without argument. He brought up a very special person and allowed him to do whatever he needed to do.
He was also a father who provided for at least 6 other children (4 boys and the word ‘sisters’ in Matthew 13:56 indicates that there were at least 2 girls as well).
He put his family and their reputation before himself and worshipped and followed everything God asked him to.
Who can say that they would do this today? What would you do if the person you were betrothed to told you they were pregnant to the Holy Ghost? How would you respond? Would to stand by them?
Many people bring up their spouses children as their own nowadays, but many don’t, many resent those children, many do not connect with them. How would you respond in these circumstances?
I love Joseph, I think he was truly an amazing person 🙂
Author: Sonya Noonan
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