Family
Read Matthew 1
1) Family matters. Where Jesus came from was important. Without the lineage of Joseph (notice it was both adopted and valid), Jesus would not have been counted in the royal line. Without Joseph, Jesus would not (perhaps even could not) have been Israel's king. Joseph and Mary may have seemed like ordinary folks, but in reality they were the royal key to the Kingdom.
2) Marriage matters. Joseph and Mary belonged to each other according to God's Word. Even as Bathsheba was always "of Uriah," so marriage is a permanent state of being joined together. This is a hard teaching in our culture, but we need it desperately. Whenever possible, our children need the validity and security of married parents.
3) Love matters. Joseph, "her husband" already, loved Mary. So, he took time to think. Rather than act rashly, he was open to the LORD's voice. And, when he heard GOD speak, he listened to what God said. Where would we be if Joseph had NOT loved Mary? No wonder he is called "son of David." He was David's descendant physically, but even more he was a lover who listened to God.
Excursus:
God never likes of divorce. In fact, Malachi 2:16 says He hates it. Sometimes He absolutely forbids it. In God's eyes, marriage is permanent. In fact, it is so permanent that only 3 things can end it: Death - 1 Corinthians 7:39; Adultery - Matthew 19:9; and Abandonment by an unbeliever - 1 Corinthians 7:12-16. In the case of death or adultery (whose penalty is death) the survivor or non-Adulterer may remarry. I believe an abandoned spouse may remarry as well, but I am slightly less certain. Fortunately, God is gracious and my understanding is limited. There may be other reasons (like Abuse) that make sense to us, but I don't see them supported in scripture, so if you find yourself in an abusive or dangerous situation, I can only recommend separation. Of course, in such cases, one of the three biblical grounds for divorce usually also applies.
1) Family matters. Where Jesus came from was important. Without the lineage of Joseph (notice it was both adopted and valid), Jesus would not have been counted in the royal line. Without Joseph, Jesus would not (perhaps even could not) have been Israel's king. Joseph and Mary may have seemed like ordinary folks, but in reality they were the royal key to the Kingdom.2) Marriage matters. Joseph and Mary belonged to each other according to God's Word. Even as Bathsheba was always "of Uriah," so marriage is a permanent state of being joined together. This is a hard teaching in our culture, but we need it desperately. Whenever possible, our children need the validity and security of married parents.
3) Love matters. Joseph, "her husband" already, loved Mary. So, he took time to think. Rather than act rashly, he was open to the LORD's voice. And, when he heard GOD speak, he listened to what God said. Where would we be if Joseph had NOT loved Mary? No wonder he is called "son of David." He was David's descendant physically, but even more he was a lover who listened to God.
Excursus:
God never likes of divorce. In fact, Malachi 2:16 says He hates it. Sometimes He absolutely forbids it. In God's eyes, marriage is permanent. In fact, it is so permanent that only 3 things can end it: Death - 1 Corinthians 7:39; Adultery - Matthew 19:9; and Abandonment by an unbeliever - 1 Corinthians 7:12-16. In the case of death or adultery (whose penalty is death) the survivor or non-Adulterer may remarry. I believe an abandoned spouse may remarry as well, but I am slightly less certain. Fortunately, God is gracious and my understanding is limited. There may be other reasons (like Abuse) that make sense to us, but I don't see them supported in scripture, so if you find yourself in an abusive or dangerous situation, I can only recommend separation. Of course, in such cases, one of the three biblical grounds for divorce usually also applies.
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