A quiet, unassuming part of the Nativity scene is foundational to the framing of this picture. Without this individual, there would be no family inside the frame.
I’m referring to Joseph, the carpenter.
Matthew is the gospel narrative that deals with the Messianic position of Christ, hence the physical chronology would be imperative. It is necessary that the early father of Jesus is from the line of Judah – the royal line.
So we have Joseph, a godly, just man (Greek word “dikaios”, meaning righteous, just). He is honorable and a spiritual man. He was espoused to Mary, which is the legal part of the marriage, though the union had not been consummated yet.
When Joseph realized she was with child, he was planning to privately divorce her. He did not want to publicly humiliate or shame her (Greek word “deigmatisal” means to disgrace”); he tried to protect her reputation.
As he was thinking about this (women generally feel their experiences, while men think about them), and it evidently appeared in his dream, as an angel of the Lord got his attention – to move him outside of this thought process.
In verse 20, even though he really didn’t understand the message, he knew the voice of God, when he was told to not be afraid to marry her. He had to share Mary with heaven’s purpose, and then the angel cites Isaiah 7:14 to tell him what the name should be.
Though he is likely a gentle and respectful person, he also has his own needs and expectations. Still, he yields to the wisdom from above.
I have great respect for men and women, who, though their minds do not understand the ways of God, still trust the voice of the Master.
Joseph is a great reminder that we all need to treat God’s work with respect, since it belongs to Him, and that while we choose to bring no harm or shame to its doors, we can go beyond our understanding and see the salvation of The Lord.