An Angel Appeared To Joseph In A Dream
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20
Can you imagine how Joseph must have felt before he had this dream? The Jewish people constantly prayed for the coming of the Messiah. Then, one day, God answered their prayers.
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18
The scriptures don’t say much about this man called Joseph, who made a living as a carpenter.
God, however, gave this righteous man engaged to Mary the responsibility of raising His Son.
We know Mary left town for three months to visit her elderly cousin, Elizabeth. God blessed her and her husband, Zechariah, in their old age with a son. They named him John.
We don’t know if Mary told Joseph before she left town or when she returned. Either time, they probably had a very interesting conversation. He received news that he never expected to hear.
So, after Joseph found out about her pregnancy, he needed to make a tough decision. How would you receive a similar message from your Fiancé or your unwed daughter?
This news probably laid heavy on his mind as his head rested on the pillow each night. I’ve gone to bed at times with things weighing on my mind, which often wakes me during the night.
As Joseph Considered
Our verse for today says, “As he considered this.” He considered whether he should marry her even though he didn’t father the child or call the wedding off. He decided to call it off.
Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. Matthew 1:19
God intervened because He not only chose Mary, but, He called Joseph as well. Therefore, God sent an angel to Joseph, who appeared to him in a dream.
The angel confirmed what Mary had told him about her pregnancy. And because of Joseph’s knowledge of the scriptures, the angel reminded him of what Isaiah wrote about the Messiah.
All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.'” Matthew 1:22-23
In our verse for today, when the angel appeared to Joseph, notice how he addressed Joseph. He recognized him by calling him “Joseph, son of David.”
Why do you suppose the angel appeared to bypass Joseph’s father, grandfather, and so on? The prophecy of the birth of Jesus included a virgin birth born into the lineage of David.
For the time is coming, says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: The Lord Is Our Righteousness.” Jeremiah 23:5-6
An Angel Appeared to Both Mary and Joseph
An angel appeared to both Mary and Joseph separately, with a gender reveal before they ever became popular. The angel who appeared to each of them also confirmed the baby’s name.
- (To Joseph)And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21
- Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. Luke 1:30-31
What three things have we observed the angel saying when he appeared to Joseph in his dream? First, he addressed him as a descendant of David. Next, he confirmed what Mary had told him.
Then, he backed up everything he said with the Word of God. Isaiah’s prophetic words, written hundreds of years earlier, came to life that night for Joseph.
How did that happen? God spoke to him through the power of His Word. The scriptures he had studied and anticipated coming to pass came alive right before his eyes.
The voice of God came to Joseph through the angel who appeared to him. At that point, he chose to marry Mary because God had removed all the confusion in his mind.
It also didn’t matter what his friends, neighbors, or family thought about the situation anymore. Joseph obeyed God’s Word, delivered by an angel who appeared to him that night.
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. Matthew 1:24
Hear God
You might think to yourself, it would be nice if an angel appeared to you. If you ever found yourself at a place where you needed one, God would send an angel your way.
Joseph, a man described as righteous, needed an angel to confirm the conception and birth of the Messiah. And the angel who appeared to him spoke his message using the Word of God.
God speaks to us every day, and He does it through His Word. Sometimes, He might give you a dream or speak to you through someone else.
But no matter how He speaks to us, He never tells us to do anything contrary to His Word. And He will always confirm His message to you one way or another.
Joseph had his mind made up about breaking his engagement, but God’s Word changed his mind. Are you willing to trust God to lead you even if it goes against the opinions of others?
If you say something like, “I would if an angel appeared to me.” The angel served only as a messenger, just like your Bible serves as a messenger. Get into His Word and let it speak to you.
Lord, thank you for sharing with us about Joseph and the angel who appeared to him. When he heard your Word, He trusted it. Help us to trust your Word as well.
Joseph didn’t let anything distract him from his obedience to God. Here are some related posts that you will enjoy about obedience.
- Consequences Of Disobedience To God?
- Love And Obedience, The Basic Requirements Of God
- Obedience To God Is Important
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