Joseph's Dilemma and the Angel's Dream: A Study in Righteous Obedience
The Christmas narrative often centers on the birth of Jesus Christ, the angelic announcements to Mary and the shepherds, and the journey of the wise men. Yet, a crucial, often overlooked figure in this divine drama is Joseph, the carpenter from Nazareth. His story, particularly his initial dilemma and the subsequent angelic intervention, offers profound insights into righteousness, divine guidance, and the nature of true obedience. Faced with an unimaginable personal crisis, Joseph's response illuminates a path of faith that remains profoundly relevant for believers today.
The Righteous Man's Predicament
Joseph was betrothed to Mary, a union that, in Jewish custom, was as legally binding as marriage, though the couple had not yet cohabited. It was during this period of betrothal that Mary was found to be with child, and the Holy Ghost was the cause. For Joseph, this presented an immediate and overwhelming crisis. His betrothed, to whom he was legally bound, was pregnant, and he knew the child was not his. According to Mosaic Law, an unfaithful betrothed woman could be subject to severe penalties, even stoning (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). However, Joseph's character is immediately revealed in the Gospel of Matthew:
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
The term "just man" (Greek: dikaios) here implies more than mere adherence to the letter of the law; it speaks of his moral integrity and his compassionate nature. While the law permitted a public divorce, which would have brought public shame and potential severe punishment upon Mary, Joseph's justice was tempered with mercy. He sought a way to uphold the law without causing undue harm or public disgrace to Mary. His intention to "put her away privily" meant a quiet, private divorce, protecting her from public humiliation and the full legal consequences. This decision, though born of righteous intent, was based on his limited human understanding of the situation.
God's Divine Interruption: The Angel's Dream
As Joseph wrestled with this profound dilemma, contemplating the difficult path he felt compelled to take, God intervened. The divine plan, far grander than Joseph could conceive, required a direct revelation. This came not through a public pronouncement or a miraculous sign, but through a dream – a common means of divine communication in the Old Testament, often to key figures like Abraham, Jacob, and Daniel. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph with a message that would radically alter his life and the course of salvation history:
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto 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.
The angel's address, "Joseph, thou son of David," was highly significant. It immediately connected Joseph to the royal lineage from which the Messiah was prophesied to come (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 11:1). This was not merely a personal message but a confirmation of the divine heritage of the child to be born. The angel then directly addressed Joseph's primary concern, assuring him that Mary's pregnancy was not the result of infidelity but was "of the Holy Ghost." This supernatural conception affirmed the child's unique divine origin. The angel continued, revealing the child's identity and mission:
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
The name "JESUS" (Greek: Iesous, from the Hebrew Yeshua or Yehoshua) means "Jehovah is salvation" or "the Lord saves." This name was not chosen arbitrarily but was a direct declaration of His purpose: to save His people from their sins. This was the ultimate spiritual deliverance, far surpassing any political or earthly salvation. The angel's message transformed Joseph's understanding from a personal scandal to a divine miracle, from a potential legal problem to a pivotal moment in God's redemptive plan.
Prophecy Fulfilled: Emmanuel
The inspired narrative in Matthew emphasizes that these events were not random but were the fulfillment of ancient prophecy, demonstrating God's meticulous and sovereign control over history. The angel's message to Joseph was a direct echo of words spoken centuries earlier by the prophet Isaiah:
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
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.
The prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 explicitly foretold the virgin birth and the child's name, "Emmanuel." This name, meaning "God with us," encapsulates the very essence of the Incarnation – the astounding truth that God, in the person of Jesus Christ, condescended to take on human flesh and dwell among His creation. This was the ultimate demonstration of God's love and His commitment to redeem humanity. Joseph's dilemma was not just about a personal relationship; it was intricately woven into the fabric of God's eternal purposes, culminating in the physical manifestation of God Himself among men.
Joseph's Obedience: A Model of Faith
The true test of Joseph's character came not in his initial righteous dilemma, but in his response to the divine revelation. Once awakened from his dream, Joseph did not hesitate, question, or delay. His obedience was immediate and complete, a testament to his profound faith and trust in God's word, even when it defied human logic and societal norms:
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Joseph's actions speak volumes. He "did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him," taking Mary as his wife and thus publicly acknowledging her and the child as his own. This act required immense courage, as it meant enduring potential societal skepticism and misunderstanding. Furthermore, the scripture clarifies that he "knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son." This detail underscores Joseph's reverence for the miraculous conception and his role as the earthly guardian of the Son of God, maintaining Mary's virginity until after the birth of Jesus. His obedience can be characterized by several key aspects:
Lessons from Joseph's Dilemma
Joseph's story is far more than a historical account; it is a timeless narrative rich with practical lessons for believers navigating their own dilemmas and seeking God's will. His journey from confusion to clarity, from human reasoning to divine obedience, offers profound guidance:
- God's Sovereignty in Unexpected Circumstances: Joseph's situation was humanly impossible and scandalous. Yet, it was precisely through this unexpected path that God's greatest plan for salvation unfolded. We learn that God often works in ways that defy our logic, using what seems impossible to achieve His perfect will.
- The Importance of Righteousness and Compassion: Joseph's initial desire to be just yet merciful demonstrates a foundational aspect of godly character. While his understanding was limited, his heart was pure, making him receptive to God's higher truth.
- Divine Guidance Through Revelation: God communicates His will, though perhaps not always through audible angels or dreams today, He speaks clearly through His inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16) and the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:13). We must be attuned to His voice.
- The Power of Obedience: Joseph's swift and unwavering obedience was crucial. It allowed God's plan to proceed without hindrance. True faith is always demonstrated through obedient action, even when the path is difficult or misunderstood by others.
- Trusting God's Plan Over Our Own: Joseph had a "good" plan to put Mary away privily. But God had a "perfect" plan that required Joseph to relinquish his own understanding and embrace a seemingly scandalous truth. We are called to trust God's wisdom above our own limited perspective.
Conclusion
Joseph's dilemma and the angel's dream stand as a powerful testament to God's meticulous providence and the beauty of human obedience. Joseph, a righteous man facing a profound personal crisis, chose a path of compassion, only to be redirected by divine revelation to a path of courageous faith. His willingness to set aside his own understanding and reputation, to embrace the miraculous, and to obey God's command without hesitation, made him an indispensable figure in the unfolding of God's redemptive history. His story reminds us that God often calls us to step out in faith into situations that defy human logic, trusting that His plan is always perfect, His word always true, and His presence, Emmanuel, always with us. May we, like Joseph, respond to God's call with righteous hearts and obedient spirits, allowing His divine purposes to be fulfilled through our lives.