Joseph the man
Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly (Matthew 1:19, NIV).
I remember as a child being told about the capture of Richard the Lionheart. He was caught shortly before Christmas, 1192 at an inn near Vienna. He was discovered because his royal bearing was inconsistent with his lowly disguise. Joseph was a man stripped of all the privileges and blessings of his ancestors, who were kings. Still, his lowliness never disguised his spiritual and moral attributes. It was these attributes that God had always sought in the men who became kings over His people. Many kings, like Herod, were amoral. Joseph shone in the midst of such darkness.
Matthew tells us Joseph was not willing to make Mary a public example. He was not only a just man, but he was a loving and protective man. There is no doubt Joseph loved Mary, and although deeply hurt and confused by the circumstance he was in, he would not harm her. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (vv. 4-7).
I think Joseph demonstrates these beautiful features of love as he comes to terms with his situation. He sought to protect the woman he believed had betrayed him by quietly ending their betrothal. There is no sense of rage and revenge in Joseph. He had a quietness of spirit and a desire to act protectively and discreetly. Discretion does not appear to be greatly valued in our society today. Information about the private lives of people is broadcast in the most detailed way across the whole world, and nothing is left to the imagination. But Solomon, one of Joseph’s greatest ancestors, wrote:
Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. (Proverbs 10:12)
and
He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. (Proverbs 17:9)
Joseph was also a man who sought to deal with problems in the most thoughtful and caring way. He gave significant consideration to the situation he and Mary faced. Joseph didn’t rush into a decision. And once he had clarified what he was going to do, he continued to reflect on it before taking action. His actions speak volumes about his character. He wanted the best possible outcomes for Mary and himself, and even when he identifies the steps to take to achieve these, he still wanted to be sure he was making the right decision. It is so important in our lives as Christians that we learn from this process. Decision-making is such a vital issue, and we should reflect in the presence of God on the steps we take before rushing into action. Reflection is critical because it allows time to review our thought processes and for God to direct us along the path He wants us to take. This is especially important when our decisions affect the lives of others.
Joseph’s story also shows how God exercises Joseph’s faith and then intervenes to explain what he did not know The concept of “waiting upon the Lord” is woven throughout the Old Testament. It describes the habit of going into the presence of God in prayer, committing our way to Him, and waiting for His direction. In the words of Proverbs 3:5-6:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
God was about to respond to Joseph’s faithfulness.