Is there anything new to say about the most famous mother of all time and her husband?
We often analyze their faith and their responses to the angels who brought the amazing message of God's son coming to earth through Mary's womb.
Can their situation correspond at all to marriages today?
A woman today will not give birth to the Son of God. Most marriages today don't have the same cultural procedures that they had as a Jewish couple over 2000 years ago.
At that time, when a couple became "betrothed", they made a lifelong commitment. This engagement period gave the groom time to prepare their home. Then he would come to get the bride at any time for the wedding. The betrothal could only be broken by divorce.
Joseph illustrates a man of integrity at a crucial point in history. God describes the man that was to be the earthly father of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18-25).
Joseph was, in many ways, a remarkable man. He had many strengths that made him a great husband.
Think about how important this family was. We don’t know a lot about Joseph after Jesus was born, except that he was a carpenter. He was still leading the family when Jesus was 12 and got separated from his family.
But we don’t know anything about Joseph after that. He wasn’t mentioned when Jesus began his ministry at the age of 30. Most people think he must have passed away. Some people even think that Jesus had to support his family after Joseph died and that is the reason that he waited until 30 to begin his ministry.
Traits of Joseph in regard to his marriage:
- Followed GodThe Bible says he was righteous. He listened to God and he obeyed God. Any man today will be a better husband if he follows the Lord.
- CompassionateWhen he found out Mary was pregnant outside of marriage, he didn’t want Mary to be disgraced publicly, even though he thought she must have been unfaithful. He was going to divorce her quietly until a messenger of God came to him to explain the circumstances. A good marriage requires compassion even when we think that we have been wronged. We act in compassion no matter how great the offense. We want to do whatever is best for that person. I am more concerned with the other person's feelings than my own.
Even when it was time for her to give birth, he went to great lengths to find a place for her in privacy. He cared for he with tenderness and strength.
Fortunately, in our day, when it is time to give birth, arrangements have already been made at a hospital. But how does a husband respond when his wife says "it's time?" Does he respond with tenderness or is he gruff because his sleep was interrupted or he had to leave work? Does he respond in strength and know what to do at that crucial time or does he panic? - FaithfulHe kept his promise of marriage to her, he followed through and married her. He was humble enough to suffer whatever humiliation might come his way because of Mary's pregnancy. When faced with a humiliating experience, does a husband remain faithful to his wife or does he become angry or leave her?
- Self-controlledHe did not have sex with her until after Jesus was born, so that she would remain a virgin in accordance with the Scripture. Today, we won't have that same circumstance that requires self-control, but we have many others. If a man is separated from his wife because of his work, does he use self-control to be sexually pure? When approached by other women, does he use self-control or does he take advantage of the opportunity? What if a wife is unable to have sexual relations because of physical problems, will he remain faithful to her?
- Good stepfatherHe treated Jesus as his son. He trained him spiritually and in a trade. Jesus became a carpenter like Joseph. We may not think of Jesus growing up with a stepfather, but he did. How many stepfathers show the kind of character of Joseph to a son whom he knows that he did not father?
Good marriages don’t just happen; they take work. They take a devotion to the Lord, faithfulness, humility, self-control, and compassion.
More GOOD, BAD, and UGLY to come.
For other posts in this series:
Part 1 - Introduction
Part 2 - The First Marriage, The Good
Part 3 - Adam and Eve, The Bad
Part 4 - Nabal and Abigail
Part 5 - Mary and Joseph
Part 6 - Priscilla and Aquila
Part 7 - Hosea and Gomer
