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“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. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’” (Matthew 1:20-21).

Joseph, the father of Jesus, is one of the most influential, yet obscure, people in all of scripture. Who was this man that God the Father entrusted to raise His only Son while He was living here on our planet? Out of all of the men God could have picked from, why did He select Joseph?

I believe there may be several reasons, but the key may be Matthew 1:20-21.

What a position Joseph was placed in! His betrothed wife told him she was expecting a baby. He had no doubt it was not his child. We meet Joseph in the middle of a crisis and Matthew 1:19 states, “But while he thought about these things…”

Joseph lived in a time when he could have had Mary killed for being unfaithful to him. He could have handed her over and not have had to deal with any of the fallout of these unexpected circumstances. He could have shrugged his shoulders, walked away, started over and shook his head in disbelief at how she had treated him. He could have yelled and screamed and shamed Mary. But he did not.

The Bible tells us that he paused and he thought.  He did not react. This does not mean he was not disappointed or hurt or shocked. It means he did not react to his emotions, which we can imagine were pulling him every direction.

While Joseph was contemplating his choices, thinking he would allow Mary to quietly leave town to avoid the shame that was sure to follow, he gave time for the Lord to work. Scripture tells us that the angel came and explained what was going on and that God had chosen him to raise the King of Kings!

Self-control, integrity, and wisdom are all displayed in the little we know about Joseph. We never hear a word from Joseph himself in scripture. He is not quoted and he is briefly mentioned.  Yet, his impact on the world through His stepson, Jesus, is eternal.

“Lord, help me practice the pause, and give You a chance to work in every circumstance.”

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson
TRBC Women’s Life