2. Joseph: About the Man He was a descendant of King David. –That’s how the angel referred to him – Matthew 1:20. –Luke also refers to his lineage – Luke 1:27; 2:4 –His father’s name was Jacob – Matthew 1:16 His home was in Nazareth. –In northern Palestine, 70-90 miles from Bethlehem He must have been a dependable man. –God committed the care of His only Son & the world’s Savior into the hands of Joseph He was quite poor. –Luke 2:7, 22-24 He was a descendant of King David. –That’s how the angel referred to him – Matthew 1:20. –Luke also refers to his lineage – Luke 1:27; 2:4 –His father’s name was Jacob – Matthew 1:16 His home was in Nazareth. –In northern Palestine, 70-90 miles from Bethlehem He must have been a dependable man. –God committed the care of His only Son & the world’s Savior into the hands of Joseph He was quite poor. –Luke 2:7, 22-24

3. Joseph: A Godly Man He was a righteous/upright/just man. – Matt. 1:19 He likely had good Jewish parents who taught him the law. – cf. Deut. 6:4-9 He obeyed God’s instructions without questions. –Matthew 1:24; 2:14, 21, 22 He had his Son circumcised according to the law. –Luke 2:21 (and did not name his Son after himself) He traveled to Jerusalem every year for Passover. –Luke 2:41 Willingly complied with the governing authorities. –Luke 2:1-5 – doing so fulfilled prophecy of Bethlehem While difficult to comprehend the mighty things transpiring, he trusted God & faithfully served Him. He was a righteous/upright/just man. – Matt. 1:19 He likely had good Jewish parents who taught him the law. – cf. Deut. 6:4-9 He obeyed God’s instructions without questions. –Matthew 1:24; 2:14, 21, 22 He had his Son circumcised according to the law. –Luke 2:21 (and did not name his Son after himself) He traveled to Jerusalem every year for Passover. –Luke 2:41 Willingly complied with the governing authorities. –Luke 2:1-5 – doing so fulfilled prophecy of Bethlehem While difficult to comprehend the mighty things transpiring, he trusted God & faithfully served Him.

4. Joseph: A Devoted Husband & Father He was betrothed to Mary – Matt. 1:18 –Engagement was as permanent as marriage – Dt. 22:23 He respected marriage as the only honorable way for a man & a woman to live together – cf. Heb. 13:4 He wanted a chaste & pure bride for a wife. –When he learned she was pregnant, he could have rightfully (and would have) put her away – Mt. 1:18-19. He was a compassionate man (not vengeful). –He would have put her away privately and not make her a public example (which was/is common) – Matt. 1:19. –Penalty of law was death – Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:23-29 –Instead of acting rashly, he thought about it – Mt. 1:20 He respected God’s plan & Mary’s virginity – Mt. 1:25 –A man of self-control & self-discipline He was betrothed to Mary – Matt. 1:18 –Engagement was as permanent as marriage – Dt. 22:23 He respected marriage as the only honorable way for a man & a woman to live together – cf. Heb. 13:4 He wanted a chaste & pure bride for a wife. –When he learned she was pregnant, he could have rightfully (and would have) put her away – Mt. 1:18-19. He was a compassionate man (not vengeful). –He would have put her away privately and not make her a public example (which was/is common) – Matt. 1:19. –Penalty of law was death – Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:23-29 –Instead of acting rashly, he thought about it – Mt. 1:20 He respected God’s plan & Mary’s virginity – Mt. 1:25 –A man of self-control & self-discipline

5. Joseph: A Devoted Husband & Father He was the head of his house & led his family –Matt. 2:13-14, 19-23; Luke 2:4-5, 21-24, 41-42 He protected his family – Matt. 2:13-23 He took his family to worship regularly – Luke 4:16 He took his family to Passover every year – Lk. 2:41 He loved & raised Jesus as his own –Every one thought Jesus was Joseph’s son – Luke 4:22; John 1:45; 6:42 –Even Mary calls Joseph Jesus’ father (Luke 2:48) He knew the challenge of raising the extraordinary Child; still, he did his job well and Jesus was subject to His parents – Luke 2:41-52 He taught Jesus his trade of carpentry – Mark 6:3 He was the head of his house & led his family –Matt. 2:13-14, 19-23; Luke 2:4-5, 21-24, 41-42 He protected his family – Matt. 2:13-23 He took his family to worship regularly – Luke 4:16 He took his family to Passover every year – Lk. 2:41 He loved & raised Jesus as his own –Every one thought Jesus was Joseph’s son – Luke 4:22; John 1:45; 6:42 –Even Mary calls Joseph Jesus’ father (Luke 2:48) He knew the challenge of raising the extraordinary Child; still, he did his job well and Jesus was subject to His parents – Luke 2:41-52 He taught Jesus his trade of carpentry – Mark 6:3

6. Joseph: A Man to Be Emulated He was a godly man. –Yielding himself completely to the will of God –Didn’t require the spotlight in the story of the Savior He was a godly husband. –Following God’s plan for the home –Given to purity, compassion & respect in his marriage He was a godly father. –Brought his children (esp. Jesus) up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord –Had other children by Mary (Matt. 12:46; 13:55-57; Mark 3:21; 6:3; John 2:12; 7:7-9; Acts 1:14; 1 Cor. 15:7) He was a godly man. –Yielding himself completely to the will of God –Didn’t require the spotlight in the story of the Savior He was a godly husband. –Following God’s plan for the home –Given to purity, compassion & respect in his marriage He was a godly father. –Brought his children (esp. Jesus) up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord –Had other children by Mary (Matt. 12:46; 13:55-57; Mark 3:21; 6:3; John 2:12; 7:7-9; Acts 1:14; 1 Cor. 15:7)