Matt 1:19
Joseph is one of the most admirable characters in Scripture. Following Jewish custom, he had sealed the betrothal contract that was the first but binding stage in marriage. Many assume that Joseph was an older man, and that after the betrothal Mary stayed with her parents until she was old enough to conclude the marriage and move into Joseph’s home. When Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant, he showed unusual compassion. Despite his feelings of hurt and betrayal, he “did not want to expose her to public disgrace.”
Explaining this, Matthew called Joseph a “righteous” man. Why, in view of the fact that the Law’s penalty for adultery is stoning, would this suggest righteousness? Some might feel it would have been more “righteous” to demand Mary be punished to the full extent of the Law!
The answer lies in the fact that “righteousness” in the Old Testament is conformity to God’s heart as well as His Law. Even Saul realized that grace better displays righteousness than strict legality, for he once cried out to David, “You are more righteous than I… You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly” (1 Sam 24:17). Joseph took this principle to heart, and though he thought Mary had treated him badly, he determined to treat her well, both in a spiritual sense as well as in a physical sense. Joseph was truly a “son of David” (Matt 1:20).
The New Testament tells us little about Joseph beyond this. But how much these few words convey. He was a man like his ancestor, who had a heart for God and deep compassion for others. No matter how little known beyond our circle of family and friends you or I may be, we are spiritually great if Matthew’s word about Joseph is true of us as well.
Are you a righteous person? Do you treat those who treat you badly with kindness and compassion?
