Joseph: Adoptive Father, Faithful Father part 2
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Once more Joseph receives a dream from God. In Matthew 2:13-15 Joseph is told how to protect the child. Joseph, although not the natural father, was the legal father and responsible for his safety and well-being. Once more Joseph was receptive to God's guidance and he obeyed. He took Mary and the child to Egypt. There God enabled him to provide for his family.
Is it too much to believe that God will enable us to provide for our children? As a single parent I too have experienced moments of financial concern but God has always provided for us. What He has done in the past I am sure He will do in the future. These precious children are His and He will continue to give us guidance in providing for them.
Again God appeared to Joseph in a dream (Matthew 2:19-23) revealing to him to take Mary and Jesus back to Israel. Joseph immediately returned. But on the way he learned that the new king Archelaus was a violent man. It certainly must have troubled him. Once more God revealed to Joseph in a dream to go to Galilee and live in Nazareth. This fulfilled a prophecy concerning the Messiah. Joseph once more obeyed.
Yes, Joseph's life is an inspiration to those of us who have adopted that being obedient to the guidance we have from God leads to more guidance from Him. Social position is of little importance when God chooses to use you. It is all about parenting with integrity and walking in humbleness with our God throughout all of the parenting stages.
We do not know how long Joseph lived as Jesus' earthly father. He is last mentioned when Jesus was twelve years old. But Joseph trained his son in the trade of carpentry and made sure that he had spiritual training in Nazareth. He also took the whole family on the yearly trip to Jerusalem for the Passover which Jesus continued to observe during his adult years.
Joseph was faithful to God. Could it be that that is all we really need today as adoptive parents? To model a life of consistent faithfulness and obedience to God.
This Christmas may the life of Joseph inspire and encourage you. God still longs to reveal Himself. He still desires to give parents guidance. He still wants us to grow in dependence and trust in Him. There is nothing to fear when we walk with Him.
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