Joseph's Dilemma

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly." 

Matthew 1:18-19

Joseph and Mary's betrothal was a binding agreement for marriage. Although the betrothed couple did not yet live together as husband and wife, the arrangement required a divorce to break it.  As Mary and Joseph awaited their coming marriage, Mary became pregnant. Upon learning of her condition, Joseph planned to break the engagement  -- to divorce Mary. According to Jewish law, Joseph could have taken Mary to court to divorce her for adultery, which could have resulted in Mary being taken outside the city gates and stoned to death. At the very least, the public divorce would have ruined her reputation. But Joseph reacted honorably. He did not respond to his perceived betrayal with thoughts of revenge. he thought to divorce her quietly.

"The shock to Joseph of the sudden discovery, crashing in on him after he was bound to Mary, and in what would else have been the sweet interval of love and longing ‘before they came together,’ is delicately and unconsciously brought out in verse 18. ‘She was found’—how the remembrance of the sudden disclosure, blinding and startling as a lightning flash, lives in that word! And how the agony of perplexity as to the right thing to do in such a cruel dilemma is hinted at in the two clauses that pull in opposite directions! As a ‘just man’ and ‘her husband,’ Joseph owed it to righteousness and to himself not to ignore his betrothed’s condition; but as her lover and her husband, how could he put her, who was still so dear to him, to public shame, some of which would cloud his own name? To ‘put her away’ was the only course possible, though it racked his soul, and to do it ‘privily’ was the last gift that his wounded love could give her." -- Alexander McLaren

The Power of One

"Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child."

Luke 2:1-5

Caesar Augustus has commanded that a census be taken of the Roman Empire for the purpose of taxation. The man who has declared himself the emperor no doubt feels quite powerful to have his decree obeyed by the "inhabited earth" without hesitation. But the real power lies in the hands of God Almighty. Joseph and Mary must be in Bethlehem when Jesus is born. This is necessary  to fulfill the prophesy (Micah 5:2) that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. God uses Caesar Augustus to accomplish His purpose. Since Joseph is of the line of David, he is obligated to go to Bethlehem -- an 80 mile journey -- to register. He takes Mary, soon to give birth, with him. The Savior of the world is about to be born in the little town of Bethlehem. God's promise of a Savior will be fulfilled. Prophesy will be fulfilled. All through the Power of One.

An Obedient Servant

But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

Matthew 1:20-21

The Bible tells us that Joseph was a descendant of David and a carpenter. Described as a "righteous" man, he kept the laws of God. He must have been compassionate and kind, as well. Betrothed to Mary, who is carrying a child that is not his, he does not wish to disgrace her by making her condition known publicly. Then he is told by an angel in a dream that Mary's Child is the Son of God and that Joseph is to call Him Jesus. Little is spoken of Joseph after that, but his obedience to God and faithfulness in carrying out his fatherly responsibilities to the Messiah are a wonderful example to all of us.