Why Did God Choose Joseph?

Why Did God Chose Joseph?

Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise. When his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to 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. 21. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins. 22. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23. 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. 24. Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife, 25. And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son, and called his name Jesus.

We often put emphasis on Mary as the virgin mother of Jesus, and this is appropriate. But what about Joseph. He too was remarkable. First, he was of the line of David, which was necessary for a Jewish king. God had promised the kingship to the Davidic line, and Jesus would be in line as King of the Jews through his line.??

Of course, he was also the husband of Mary. In the Jewish custom of that time, two individuals were promised to each other, often at a young age, and at times even without knowing each other. At an appropriate time, the families would legally make the arrangements for marriage, at which time they were considered legally married although not living and sleeping together. The husband would prepare a room or rooms for his wife and when the father decided, he would send him to fetch his bride, and the wedding celebration would be made. Joseph was in that time before living together. They were legally bound together, and it would take a divorce to separate them.

At this time, he discovered his wife pregnant. This was considered adultery and could be punishable by death by stoning, with the husband casting the first stone. Joseph was a righteous man, and he rejected this possibility. He was planning to have a quiet divorce when the angel of the Lord came to inform him that his wife was the chosen virgin who would bear the messiah. His name would be Jesus, which speaks of his work – to save from sins. He was also Emmanuel, which speaks of his essential nature. He is God with us.

The angel of the Lord instructed Joseph to take Mary as his wife. Joseph knew, of course, that Jesus was not his biological son. This marriage would result in much shame and loss of face before their neighbors, and even over 30 years later, when Jesus was talking with Pharisees about the fact that they were not children of Abraham, they replied: “We were not born in fornication…” But Joseph obeyed promptly. We find later that this quality of quick obedience was needed to preserve Jesus’ life. The angel of the Lord warned Joseph about 2 years later that Herod was about to kill the young child. At night, Joseph arose and fled to Egypt, where he remained until after the death of Herod.

Joseph was a poor man. We know this because his offering at 40 days after birth was not two lambs but two turtle doves, a poor man’s offering. He worked with his hands as a carpenter. He had a large family – four other sons named, and multiple daughters (no names or numbers given).??God chose him and gave him the rare privilege of rearing the Lord Jesus in his home.?

Joseph is a great example for us to follow – a direct example for us men, and for the women, an example of the sort of spouse to choose… godly, righteous, obedient to the Lord. Joseph was also the choice by his legacy from David. We too can have a great legacy, this time as children of God himself through adoption and the new birth. The indwelling Christ ruling in our lives can help us to be godly, righteous, and obedient to the Lord. Let us apply this example to our lives.