JOSEPH THE HUSBAND OF MARY: THE MEASURE OF A MAN

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Despite being the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus, not much was said of Joseph as it was of his wife.

But the little said of him spoke much about the kind of man that Joseph was, and why he was the chosen one amongst men, to be the husband of Mary, who was chosen amongst women to become the mother of the only begotten Son of God.

It was said:

Matthew 1:18-21, 24-25 (KJV)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 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.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

So Joseph not being willing to make Mary his wife a public example, after discovering that she was pregnant with a Child that was not his, showed what distinguished him from most men and why God had chosen him for such a privileged position.

For how many men would have been able to do that, especially after being given assurances that the woman was a virgin before paying her dowry, only to find out that she was carrying someone else's baby?

Not much, for such men are a rarity and hard to come by, but it wasn't as if it was an easy decision for Joseph himself to make, because that discovery would have been quite shocking and an unwelcomed development, as it would have complicated matters for him.

But for Joseph not to take out his disappointment on her and expose her while she was completely at his mercy, but to show her mercy, and yet took it upon himself to figure out a way of escape for her, showed what made him so special.

Moreover after the dream he had, he was said to have done what the angel had commanded him to do, and hence not send away the pregnant woman as he had originally planned but taken her to still be his wife, yet didn't have sex with her until she had brought forth her Son.

Although that would have made him to be viewed as a weak man in the sight of men, but hence Joseph proved the true measure of a man, as it is in God's sight.

God bless.

The true measure of a man.

No be by muscle.

jesusjnr:
No be by muscle.

1 Samuel 16:6-7 (KJV)

6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him.
7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

It's not by earthly riches.

jesusjnr:
It's not by earthly riches.

Luke 12:15 (KJV)

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

It's not by knowledge and intelligence.

jesusjnr:
It's not by knowledge and intelligence.

Luke 10:21 (KJV)

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Matthew 1:18-21, 24-25 (KJV)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 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.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

jesusjnr:
Matthew 1:18-21, 24-25 (KJV)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 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.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Joseph was a good man.