“And she will bring forth a Son. A d you shall his name Jesus. For he will save his people from their sons.” (Matthew 1:21, NKJV)

Joseph and Mary were not yet married, but Joseph was shocked to learn that Mary was pregnant. Since she was betrothed to him in marriage, Joseph had the right, in accordance to Jewish laws and custom, to report to authorities and have Mary face the punishment for marital unfaithfulness.

Image courtesy of http://www.olivetree.com

But Joseph, though silent, was morally upright, compassionate, and responsible. He tried to protect her from public disgrace by breaking the engagement discreetly. God then intervened and told Joseph that Mary’s pregnancy was not scandalous but rather miraculous, pure and of the Holy Spirit. The Son to be born to her would be Israel’s long-awaited Messiah, whose mission was not to save his people from foreign domination but to save them from sin (Matt. 1:18-21).

Being a man of faith, Joseph believed God. He took Mary as wife, but did not have any sexual relations to her while she was pregnant.

References:

MySword for Android. Riversoft Ministry, 2011-209.

Olive Tree Bible Software. http://www.olivetree.com

Published by Pastorbluejeans Unplugged

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