Joseph Was Faithful

I think it is all too often that we look at all of Mary’s courage and faithfulness to God to be the earthly vessel that would give birth to Jesus, but we overlook Joseph. He is not mentioned too many times in the Gospels, and his appearances are small at best.
Joseph had already married Mary, and committed himself to her:
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.”
-Matthew 1:18

Can anyone imagine how tough of a situation that must have been? To have your new wife be pregnant, and know that you are not the father? How difficult that must have been.

And this question definitely ran through Joseph’s mind.

“Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. “
-Matthew 1:19

The first part of the verse is that Joseph was “faithful to the law” (NIV 2010); “a just man” (KJV); “an honorable man” (GOD’s WORD Translation); “a righteous man” (NASB); “a good man” (New Century Version). Joseph followed the Lord, and kept His commands. Joseph was concerned with the law that is written, the same law that would have had his wife, Mary stoned to death for her 'illegitimate' pregnancy.

The second part of this verse that depicts Joseph’s heart is the line;
“ …and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace..”. Joseph did not want Mary to face the scorn, humiliation, the literal stoning that Mary would undertake for her pregnancy. Joseph showed Mary love by wishing to keep God’s commandments and still caring for her.

God would appear to Joseph in a dream, and would tell Joseph His plans for Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and mankind. After this, Joseph acted on what God told him:
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
-Matthew 1:24-25

This is so great, because it just shows how willing Joseph was to follow God no matter what obstacles were set before him.

I think that Joseph showed exactly what it means to be a good husband in just a few verses. Joseph showed that a husband must be a righteous man who follows the Lord in all situations, and that same man must also love his wife to do his best to keep her from danger, and to think for her.