December 15, 1999
LIFE & WORK SERIES:
Joseph was not the star,
but a strong character
___* Matthew 1-2
___By Debra Hochgraber
___Women's Evangelism Consultant, BGCT, Dallas
___The e-mail from my mother said, "Joseph is missing." We had given a few nativity scenes for Christmas this year, and somehow in the packaging, pieces got switched. For the next few days, when I looked at our nativity scene, I tried to imagine it without Joseph. We don't talk a lot about him, but no matter how I rearranged the figures, it was obvious someone was missing.
___This was the man whom God had chosen to be the earthly father for his Son. Not a man of wealth or influence, but a "righteous man" (Matthew 1:19). He had a rightrelationship with the Lord, the kind that produces character and integrity.
___When Mary was "found to be with child" during their engagement (Matthew 1:18), Joseph had to assume she had been unfaithful to him and had acted immorally. His compassion would not allow him to publicly disgrace Mary, but marriage would have led others to believe he was guilty of impurity. A private divorce seemed the best solution--until he had a visit from an angel of the Lord (vs. 20). He accepted the message as from the Lord and immediately obeyed. It doesn't even say that he asked any questions. We are merely told that he woke up and did what the angel asked, taking Mary home as his wife (vs. 24). His courage led him to discount the ridicule that would come as well as the difficulties of having the responsibilities of a child very early in their marriage. He became Mary's strength and shield. His continued obedience kept the Christ-child safely in the center of God's will, even though it meant leaving their homeland and traveling great distances (Matthew 2:13-14, 19-23).
___God works very powerfully, although often quietly, through men and women of exemplary character and integrity. There are "Josephs" all around us. They walk closely with the Lord, developing his character as they grow. They are familiar enough with his voice to recognize it, obeying him courageously.
___Various times I have been asked, "How can you have so much confidence in life no matter what the circumstances?" One reason is because I am married to a man of integrity and exemplary character. He has been a pastor for 23 years. At three major crossroads in our lives, the path we prayerfully chose was the more difficult, but the Lord had said he would go before us. Obedience was our only choice. My uncertainties gave way to Dennis' assurance. There is a lot of security in knowing you are in the center of God's will, fulfilling your role in his redemptive plan, no matter what the circumstances might suggest.
___Who in your church bears resemblance to Joseph? They may or may not seem to carry much significance, but think again. As you view the nativity scene this week, imagine it without Joseph. Imagine your church without those men and women of integrity and exemplary character. Thank the Lord they are not missing.
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