Read Matthew 1:18-24
Matthew 1:24 - When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife…
From reading this story in the Bible, it is clear that the year of engagement was not yet up. But Joseph was so convinced of God’s message that he immediately obeyed. He brought Mary to his home as his wife, where he could protect her from what others might say or do. It is very possible he became a man who was mocked and even charged with doing wrong things as a result of his action. But Joseph would not be kept from doing what God had asked him to do.
By obeying God, Joseph took full responsibility for both Mary and the child she carried. Jesus became Joseph’s legal child even though He was not Joseph’s blood-child. Genealogy was very important to the Jews of his day; in Joseph’s case, he was considered the rightful heir to the throne of David. By accepting Jesus as his legal son, Joseph passed on to Jesus this position of rightful heir to the throne of Israel. Through Mary (see the ancestry in Luke 3) Jesus’ ancestry is traced not only to David, but back to Adam.
How difficult is it for us to obey God when we know we will face scorn or hatred from those around us? God did not promise Joseph an easy life, but through obedience Joseph gained a blessing no other man in history would ever have – he was chosen to be the earthly father of the Messiah.
*When have you chosen to obey God, no matter what? How did God bless you for your obedience?
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