Joseph: A Great Man Who Never Spoke

Background to passage:

And she sleeps…exhausted

And I think…it’s so surreal…emotions

As I look at this baby, the weight of responsibility

What a mess I have made, and God chose me...

Baby in straw, Son of God, Savior, Messiah

No room, no midwife, no experience, no help

Did I mess up the delivery? Is Mary OK?

Is Jesus hungry? Is he cold? Is he wet? Did I wash him off enough?

Who do I call if she is not? Is he breathing...

DOUBT: surely God would have provided...

Before she fell asleep, I held her and we talked

Are you sure you heard an angel? Are you?

Arranged marriage…preparation…pregnant

Marry her anyway, do not be afraid.

Shame, ostracized by village, family, abandoned

Eight-day journey, 90 miles, 9 mo pregnant

The crowds, the inn, a barn, more angels and shepherds

What happens NEXT?

More travel, what if something happens on my watch?

Raising the Savior of Israel, how can I do that?

What do I teach him, I am only a carpenter, not a king, not a priest, not a soldier

This baby looks like any other baby

Am I sure

Recollections of the words of the angels combined and transformed the weight of responsibility to faith that God had chosen me, chosen us, chosen Him

God flooded my mind with the scriptures about him

Isaiah 7:14 ESV

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6–7 ESV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Micah 5:2 ESV

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

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Then the scriptures came of God’s faithfulness to help those who trust in him

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Isaiah 41:10 ESV

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Joshua 1:9 ESV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 27:1 ESV

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 46:1–2 ESV

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

Psalm 34:4 ESV

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

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God was with me, was with us, he will be our sword and shield

Scriptures about the death of the Chosen Servant of Israel

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Psalm 22:14–15 ESV

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;

my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.

Isaiah 53:4–6 ESV

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—everyone—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Genesis 15:6 ESV

And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

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You must believe