When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. Matthew 1:24 NABRE
Matthew tells the story of Joseph’s reaction to discovering his betrothed, Mary, is pregnant. Joseph has taken Mary as his wife, by custom Mary and Joseph wait one year before she moves into Joseph’s home. During this time she is known as betrothed, a form of marriage. When news is shared that Mary is pregnant Joseph feels betrayed. He knows the child is not his and plans to quietly divorce Mary, though it is his right to have her stoned. Mary says the child is the conception of God, and she is an instrument of the Lord. Her story is difficult to believe, Mary’s neighbors feel like some untoward has happened and she is making up a story of a divine intervention as cover. Joseph has the only opinion that matters. If he believes her she will remain his wife, if not she will be seen as sinful. In a dream Joseph is told the child is from God and to name Him Jesus, “Yahweh saves.” Joseph wakes and remembers the dream deciding to stay with Mary, taking her into his home.
Joseph makes a history altering decision, we may never hear of Joseph if he divorces Mary and they go their separate ways. Why Joseph believes a dream is something only he can answer. I am sure we have all had dreams that felt very real but do we make history altering decisions because of them? I suspect if we tell people we are doing something because of a dream they will look at us questioningly. Joseph shows great faith and changes the course of history, He saves Mary’s reputation and becomes an instrument of the Lord. In today’s culture Mary would have been canceled and ridiculed, Joseph’s decision is the hard choice and not the one many make today.
Have you decided something because of a dream? Do you cancel difficult people or work to save relationships?
Joseph shows great faith and changes the course of history, saving Mary's reputation and helping God. In today's culture Mary would have been canceled and ridiculed, Joseph's decision is the hard choice and not the one many make today. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #dream #stay #Matthew #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways