Reading Matthew 1:18 – 2:23 prior to reading this snippet is recommended.

We don’t know much about Joseph the man appointed by God to be the earthly father of Jesus.  Despite his brief appearance in our Bibles, we know that he was a courageous, faithful and obedient servant of our God.  We know this because;

1. Joseph, following God’s instructions (Mat 1:24), cancelled his plans to quietly divorce Mary (Mat 1:19) and married her (Mat 1:24-25)!
2. Joseph, in obedience to God, protected Mary and Jesus by fleeing to Egypt (Mat 2:13).
3. Joseph only returned to Israel when God told him to (Mat 2:19-20).
4. Joseph settled in Nazareth (Mat 2:23), heeding God’s warning (Mat 2:22).

None of these circumstances would have been easy, each would have significantly challenged both Joseph and his young family.  Whatever the challenges might have been, they did not stop him from immediately and fully obeying God’s instructions.

Although Joseph’s appearance in our Bible is brief, his example is significant, it shows us that to bring glory to God we need to be completely dependent on him:

1. obeying him fully and unconditionally.
2. being faithful, no matter the circumstances.
3. being courageous, knowing that whatever happens, our Lord knows best.