1:19 And her husband Joseph, since he was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.
1: 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he named Him Jesus.” (NASB)
Joseph had the moral and spiritual strength God honors. Joseph was prepared to take upon himself the yoke of marriage and of fatherhood, but he immediately runs into a problem. He and Mary are still in their year of engagement when she becomes pregnant. While God reveals Joseph as a righteous man, in that righteousness there was a touch of tenderness. So, he plans to divorce Mary privately. He could have done it publicly. The Law allowed that. According to Deut. 22 he could have her stoned for infidelity or at least a trial (Num 5).
A guilty woman was cursed and denounced by her people. Later rabbinic writings refer to a bill of divorce delivered before two witnesses. Because of the kind of character Joseph was, that would bring the least amount of embarrassment to Mary. To marry such a woman would dishonor a holy God. That is another reason why Matthew calls him a righteous and just man. He was sensitive to both the Word of God and what would honor God in a marriage.
When the crisis came he made a merciful choice. Although he had done no wrong, he cared for Mary’s feelings. He chose the kindness of a quiet divorce over cold legalism.
Tenderness is often viewed as unmasculine, but a righteous man is one whom God can use. A just man is not only concerned about doing the right thing, that can be legalism, but also the loving thing. Such a man is not concerned only about his wants and interests. That would be a selfish man. A righteous man is not concerned about making money over principles of honesty and integrity, such a man would be greedy, A righteous man is not concerned about his own reputation before others. Such a man would otherwise be prideful.
More important than having Jesus raised in a rich home, or a powerful home, or a pleasure-seeking home, God chose a father for our Lord who was honest, demonstrated integrity,was kind, tender, and loving. All the other things that we can offer our children don’t really amount to much if we ignore these most important qualities.
Joseph illustrated for us righteousness. He would not leave her behind when he, as head of the household, went to the City of David to be enrolled and when in Bethlehem the babe was born, who was not his own, he cared for Him as is own.
The kind of people God can use are those who seek to do the right and loving thing. From a theological point of view of course, we are made righteous by the faith available in Jesus Christ. The righteous character to be modeled to our wives and children serves as a challenge to live with gentleness, tenderness, courtesy, consideration and love.
God chose Joseph.
Application: Through faith and God's grace seek to live with gentleness, tenderness, courtesy, consideration and love.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live like that and to choose kindness over legalism. To respond to all things in a kind, tender and loving manner.
