Hear from God

Joseph was ready to ‘divorce’ Mary because of her ‘news’.

Matthew 1:20
“But when he had thought this over, 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.”

This may once again have been Gabriel, who never announced who he was to Mary and then only chose to announce himself to Zechariah when it became clear that it was necessary.

The angel appeared to him in a dream and shared with Joseph...

Matthew 1:21
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

Luke 1:31
“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus” 

Joseph was a righteous man and likely cried out to God for wisdom (James 1:5) when he heard from Mary that she was with child. What Joseph heard from the Angel was a clear confirmation of what had already been shared with him by Mary. It was God’s Grace to help him move forward in faith. This was more than a strange dream but was Joseph ‘hearing from God’ so that now he could move forward with Mary.

Christmas Application: Listen and be ready to hear from God when ‘trouble’ comes. Live by faith
and expect God to intervene.

Provide and Protect

The Angel had spoken and Joseph heard what he was to do...

Matthew 1:24
“When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did just as the Lord’s Angel commanded him. He married Mary but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus.”

What would this wedding look like? Mary and Joseph are now in agreement but how do they explain this to their parents and their family and their friends? Do they even try?

The Angel had commanded Joseph to do two things:
     1. Take Mary as your wife.
     2. Name the baby - Jesus.

There were still unknowns but Joseph had his orders and he was likely highly motivated. He needed to protect his new wife from criticisms and rumors and provide for their new baby. Protecting and providing for your family is Manhood 101. Consummating their marriage was the tradition and the rule, but Joseph chose to wait. He knew intuitively without any known command on this matter from the Angel that right now he was to provide and protect. Marital intimacy could wait. Personal desires could wait. God’s calling was clear and strong enough to ‘call out’ the very best of Joseph.

Christmas Application: Have you embraced your calling to provide and protect? What
adjustments might you make?

Brian Doyle is the Founder and President of Iron Sharpens Iron.