“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Joseph – a just man. The Greek word for “just” is dikaios – meaning upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of G-d. And because Joseph walked righteously before G-d, he did not want to publicly shame Mary. Rather, his desire was to protect and cover her. 

Though we know how the story goes – G-d intervened and he became the earthly father of Yeshua – I see two things I can learn in looking at how Joseph treated Mary. 

Joseph’s default was to protect Mary. Joseph was likely confused and even hurt over her situation – yet his default was to protect cover her, not shame her. There’s a saying I’ve adhered to for a long time that fits here: “praise in public, correct in private.” Joseph loved Mary in a tangible way – he was patient and kind, he didn’t envy or boast, he wasn’t proud or self seeking – and, he protected (see 1 Corinthians 13(. As a follower of G-d, my default should be like Joseph – to love, protect, and cover those in my sphere of influence- not shame or belittle. 

Second, rather than react to a perception, he purposefully considered his response, and in doing so, he positioned himself to hear from G-d on the matter (v. 11). Joseph then walked in obedience. How often have I – do I – just react rather than respond with purpose? Far too often I’m afraid. And always, when I do, it’s because I have reacted to an emotional trigger of fear or shame within myself. 

I hate to admit it but I haven’t thought much about Joseph over the years from the frame of Yeshua’s earthly father. G-d didn’t just choose Mary to carry His Son – He chose Joseph, the just, too. He chose both of them – and, we know Jospeh was an active, engaged father because he passed along his trade to his son, Yeshua. It seems Joseph was a good man – a man worth paying attention to. 

Joseph the just – an upright, righteous, virtuous man who kept the commands of G-d. I am grateful for his example of faith to follow. 

Father – thank You for Your Word. I am grateful for how You speak and encourage me day after day. Thank You. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted.  Amen. 

Daily Reading: Matthew 1, Luke 2:1-38

October 2, 2022