THE GIFT OF OBEDIENCE

“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.” – Matthew 1:24-25

Joseph, a righteous man, planned a private divorce, not wanting to shame Mary publicly. However, while he pondered his decision, God’s angel revealed the missing details to him.

“That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20b-21). “

Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus” (Matthew 1:24:25)

“There were three steps in a Jewish marriage. First, the two families agreed to the union. Second, a public announcement was made. At this point, known as betrothal, the woman was said to be “espoused” to the man. This was similar to engagement today except that their relationship could be broken only through death or divorce (even though sexual relations were not permitted). Third, the couple was married and began living together. Because Mary and Joseph were betrothed, Mary’s apparent unfaithfulness carried a severe social stigma. According to Jewish civil law, Joseph had a right to divorce her, and the Jewish authorities could have had her stoned to death (Deuteronomy 22:23,24). [i]

After finding out that Mary was with child, thankfully, Joseph listened to God instead of leaning into his own understanding, “fear not to take unto Mary they wife.” How crucial is it to obey?  

Following my vein surgery, the doctor provided instructions to help with healing: Wear compression stockings for three weeks, limit computer time to two hours, and walk for twenty minutes after sitting.

Wearing compression stockings has been simple, but not sitting at my computer for over two hours has been challenging. But can I expect to heal properly if I choose not to obey my doctor?  

What if Joseph had made a different choice? Mary could have been stoned, and we’d not have The Christmas Story.

We might not always understand the impact of the decisions we make. When reading the Christmas Story on Christmas morning, reflect on Joseph’s obedience to the angel’s message. Does it bring you happiness to read to your family, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger…” (Luke 2:7)?

WHAT TREASURES CAN YOU GIVE GOD THIS CHRISTMAS?

Have you sensed God’s nudge recently? Are you struggling to obey that which He asks?

The Israelites had a choice: to obey God and be a “peculiar treasure among all people” or disobey. (Exodus 19:5). Sadly, we see the choice they made in Daniel 9:11, “All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice. So now the solemn curses and judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured down on us because of our sin.”

After Jesus’ birth, wise men from the east followed a star to Bethlehem. When they saw Jesus, they “opened their treasures, and presented Him gifts …” (Matthew 2:11). While wrapping gifts today, have you considered giving the treasure of obedience?

[i] Life Application Bible @ 1986, 1988, 1989, King James Version, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, notes, page 1550