9 days till Christmas

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:18 NKJV

The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Joseph.

But what is written is inspiring.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
Matthew 1:19 NKJV

“..being a just man…”

This one phrase speaks highly of his character.

The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible has the word just as number 1455 and says:

“…equitable (in character or act); by impl. innocent, holy (absol. or rel.);- just, meet, right (-eous).”

Joseph was a man who walked in the ways of the Lord.

The Bible records Noah as a just man. (Gen. 6:9)

Other things are written about a just man.

Proverbs 20:7 KJV — The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

This verse certainly applies to Joseph!

Not only was Jesus blessed by God, we know that His brothers James and Jude were also believers.

James was a devout man and known for his character and his love of God from Christian history.

The Bible contains two books in the New Testament, each penned by these two men.

Joseph also proves his love for God and his willingness to obey the Lord through his actions.

But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus , for He will save His people from their sins.”…Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus .
Matthew 1:20‭-‬21‭, ‬24‭-‬25 NKJV

Joseph acted immediately.

He didn’t doubt.

He doesn’t question.

He simply obeyed.

Twice.

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
Matthew 2:13 NKJV

Joseph took his young family to a foreign country with no idea of how long they would need to live there.

When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Matthew 2:14‭-‬15 NKJV

Joseph may have lived over two thousand years ago, but his faith in God can inspire no matter the decade one resides in.

His humility and obedience, his character of faithfully following God, are applicable to any generation.

And we have the truth of salvation in Christ Jesus to aide us in walking with God.

Because Joseph wasn’t the only man who was described as a just man.

It was stated about Jesus the day of His crucifixion.

Matthew 27:19 KJV — When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

Of course no man can compare to Christ in righteousness.

But it’s inspiring that God records there were others who followed His ways and are written in the Bible as just.

One of them being, Joseph.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for this encouraging look at Joseph. Lord Jesus, only through You can we find the path to righteousness. Thank You for giving us Your Word to serve as a guide and direction. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts, teaching and admonishing. Lord, thank You for Your patience, as we learn to walk in the correct way. Please help me to walk justly before You. Thank You. Amen.