All we know of Joseph, the man God chose to be the earthly father of Jesus, is found in the first two chapters of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. I can’t imagine the weight of the responsibility given this man!!! He was not rich, not well educated, but this humble man knew and honored his God. Let’s read and learn what made him so great in the eyes of the Heavenly Father!!!
Matthew 2:19-23
19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ Joseph seemed to receive much information from angels in dreams (Matthew 1:20-25, 2:13-15, 2:19-23). Why? What does this tell you about Joseph? About God?
+ Because of the miraculous way Joseph received his instructions, do you think it was easy to obey? Why or why not?
+ The text isn’t clear that Joseph received specific instructions to end up in Nazareth. Why do you think he chose to go there? You think it was an easy or hard decision? Why or why not?
+ There is no specific Old Testament verse that stated the Messiah would come from the city of Nazareth. So, what did Matthew mean in verse 23? (This will take a little digging and there are differing views on this in Biblical scholarship, so there is no right or wrong answer here).
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ One thing stands out about Joseph; his consistently prompt obedience to the Word of God. One may argue if they received instructions from angelic beings in dreams, it would be easy to obey. I am not so sure. I have the written Word of God at my disposal and yet I struggle obeying clear teachings from Scripture. How about you? Are there known areas in your life that you have not given over to the Lord? Ask for forgiveness and press on in the power of the Holy Spirit to conform your life to the example set by Christ Himself “whom knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?