Part 3

Towards the end of the last year, I came to read passages and heard in sermons in the book of Matthew about Joseph. I find it interesting that the earthly father of Jesus has very little written about him in the Bible. However, the little bit that is written I find very telling…

Prior to Jesus birth…
Mat 1:19-21,24
19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins."
24“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”

Directly after Jesus’ birth…
Mat 2:13-14
“13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt

After time in Egypt…
Mat 2:19-21
19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."
21So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

In each case, Joseph had a lot to lose with each of these decisions. They were life altering decisions…marriage, job, where to call home...even life and death.
Some of the biggest decisions that a man can make all hinged based upon direction from God that Joseph immediately obeyed.

God knows our needs and we should trust Him and ultimately if we obey God, He will provide for us in our circumstances. As father's we are responsible for caring for our children...but God will provide the direction if we will listen.