Attitudes Of Righteous Series

Theme: Attitudes of the Righteous

Text: Matthew 1:18-25

Introduction:

This month let us think about the FAVOR OF GOD based on (Luke 1:28). Today, We will think about the attitudes of the Righteous during crises and issues. Attitude is a feeling or opinion about something or someone, or a way of behaving that is caused by this.

We will learn three important life principles of through Joseph and Mary: Joseph had a Misunderstanding about Mary, then he had the Mystical Understanding from an angel, and finally they had the Mutual Understanding. The theme for this second Sunday of the 1st Advent is the Attitudes of the Righteous.

Misunderstanding (Matthew 1:18-19)

Let us understand the wedding concept of Jews. It is called Ketubah (Wedding Contract). Joseph was engaged to Mary, a virgin. Joseph paid the Mohar (the price paid by the father of the groom to the father of the bride) as per Jewish laws and customs. Joseph paid the Mattan (gifts given by the groom to the bride in addition to the mohar). Jews believed in erusin or kiddusin (betrothal) and nissuin (wedding). For a woman, betrothal is the beginning of her married life, although she still remained in her father’s house. Unless she was divorced, she can’t think of changing another man. Through the wedding, she was brought to the groom’s house accompanied by a colorful procession, otherwise she was a married woman for the society (ref: my Jewish learning).

Declaration of betrothal: in Jewish customs, the bridegroom tells the father-in-law, “I came to thy house for thee to give me thy daughter, to wife; she is my wife and I am her husband from this day and forever.” Betrothal was a much firmer commitment than today’s engagement ceremony. (ref: Biblical Odyssey).

Their betrothal was legally binding and demanded a period of separation. The time between the betrothal and the wedding was nearly a year. During this time of separation, the fidelity of the groom and the bride was tested despite the vast distance between them. No one can just walk out of the betrothal unless legally separated, or divorced.

Now, Mathew writes that Joseph was "a just man." He was happily engaged with Mary. But a heart breaking news came to him and confirmed through reliable sources that Mary was pregnant. Joseph was hurt and felt betrayed.

However, he behaved gently he did not apparently fly into a rage or wish to hurt Mary, even though it pointed to adultery in their culture (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). Joseph decided not to expose it publicly but decided to run away from the Problem. He was a righteous God-fearing man. He doesn’t want to stoop down from his dignity and high esteem. Joseph decided to divorce her quietly, secretly, and privately. Most of the time it is the problem with the good people.

The name Joseph was very appropriate to him. The first Joseph in Bible was a just, God-fearing, blameless righteous guy. He quietly accepted the unjust punishment of Potiphar he did not expose the woman. This Joseph was strictly just and a good-natured, merciful, and tender-hearted man, but a strict observer of the law, and of the customs of his ancestors, but had a misunderstanding about his fiancé.

He avoided additional shame for Mary. It was an extraordinarily kind thought and action. Compassion did not lead Joseph to marry a seemingly unfaithful woman. Instead, he was going to divorce her as quietly as possible (Deuteronomy 24:11). ‘Joseph’s heart was attached to Mary but his mind was disturbed and perplexed. He does not want Mary to have painful and ignominious death’ (Barnes Notes). The resolution came as the result of the conflict between duty and wish (Pulpit commentary). He decided to put her privily means giving a divorce notice without cause to safeguard Mary from death. So, Mary had a God-given blessed husband, it was the plan of God to bring Mary to Joseph, the best choice of God, it not for Joseph, she could have been stoned to death.

The righteous people are god-fearing and loving people. They are morally good and ethically sound enough. But they are people with pride, self glory, they avoid confrontations and communications for setting things in order or right. Often they don’t deal with the crises to the end. Mostly they are non transparent in handling issues, and personality clashes, they simply walk out of the place, committees leaving permanent hurts on their loved ones forever. They continue to live against the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Joseph, being a righteous man, could have called Mary and her parents to clarify the pregnancy of Mary. Instead of prayerfully approaching the issue, he decided to put it off silently without clarity. Due to the fear of society, and maintaining of his pseudo image and false self-dignity, Joseph behaved indecent manner. Often righteous people do not deal rightly with issues. Mostly they run away, avoid and keep silent. This leads to unjust suffering for a long time on either side.