The Wrong Thing for the Right Reason - Part 2


Prayer: Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
                   The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
                   The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
                   The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Read: Matthew 1:18–25
http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+1%3A18-25/

Think about It:  In these few brief verses we learn much of Joseph’s character and faith. He is a kind and compassionate man who tries to act within the laws and requirement of the faith to which he belongs. We are not told how he felt about the betrayal by his fiancée, as it appears she has given her virginity to another man. The proof is in the pregnancy, right? But we can surmise by his actions that he is willing to choose mercy rather than vengeance. It was within his rights to have Mary stoned for her adultery. But instead he chooses to deal with her quietly so as to not bring shame and death down upon her. He is doing the wrong thing for the right reason.

It is the wrong thing because that was not God’s will for any of them. Here, God intervenes, speaking to Joseph in a dream. God’s divine revelation brings out the truth. Immediately Joseph responds with the right thing for the right reason. He makes the marriage official, thus sparing Mary any embarrassment or shame and most certainly sparing her life along with that of the unborn Savior. Striking is the fact that he didn’t have to take time to think it through or ponder his decision. It says that “when  Joseph woke up”. Just as Abraham immediately responds to the voice of God (when told to sacrifice Isaac Genesis 22:1ff), so does Joseph. It is probably safe to assume that Mary and Joseph were married within a very short amount of time after the dream. (Possibly that same day?) Because of the faithfulness of Joseph, Mary is able to carry the Savior to birth. And the rest, as they say, is HIStory

Prayer:  Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
                    Close by me forever and love me, I pray.
                    Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
                    And take us to heaven to live with Thee there.
Away in a Manger . . . LSB 364 – Public Domain

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