MATTHEW 1:16, 18-21, 24 or LUKE 2:41-51a

Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with Child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this Child has been conceived in her. She will bear a Son and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

Betrothed to Joseph

In Jesus’ time, marriage consisted of two steps. The first step is the ’erusin or betrothal. The prospective spouses are set apart for each other, and the formal exchange of consent is made before witnesses. This is more than “engagement” since it gives a young man legal rights over the girl. Any infringement on his marital rights can be punished as adultery. Yet the wife continues to live at her own family home, usually for about a year.

The subsequent taking of the bride to the groom’s family home is the actual wedding and is called nisu’in. The women of both families negotiate the contract for the dowry. When the agreement is completed, the wedding procession begins from the house of the bride and proceeds to the house of the groom.

Since Joseph and Mary have taken the ’erusin, they are truly husband and wife, even if they do not live together as yet. Mary’s condition throws Joseph into a quandary. He suspects her of adultery and has scruples about completing the marriage. Dt 22:20-21 requires the stoning of the adulteress; but in a less severe legal system the command to “purge the evil from your midst” could be met by divorcing her. Joseph’s sense of obedience to the Law forces him in conscience to divorce Mary, but his being “merciful” makes him unwilling to expose her to public disgrace. He will divorce Mary “quietly,” that is, he is not going to accuse Mary publicly of adultery so as not to subject her to trial.

God, however, rescues Joseph from his predicament. He is told of the real cause of Mary’s pregnancy and of his role toward her and the Child. In obedience, Joseph does all that is commanded and proceeds with the second part of the marriage.

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2010,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph