Pam Padgett ... teacher
When Joseph was considering putting Mary, his espoused wife, away after learning she was with child before they came together, he was turned to go a completely different way by God. God sent an
angel with instruction and information showing the will and purpose of God.
Joseph was a just man, wanting to do what was right in the sight of
God. When he learned that Mary was with child, he considered putting her away from him privately so she
wouldn't be made a public example ...
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When
as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together,
she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband,
being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was
minded to put her away privily.
But while Joseph was considering this, and before he put Mary away, God intervened, sending an angel to Joseph in a dream. Joseph was given the
information and instruction he needed to do according to the will of God ...
Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things,
behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying,
Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for
that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Along with the instruction to not fear taking Mary as his wife, the angel
explained that Mary had conceived the child of the Holy Ghost. The angel also explained to Joseph that the child Mary
carried would be a son, and this fulfilled what God had
spoken before by a prophet. What had seemed like a serious problem that would result in Joseph putting Mary away, was
actually according to the will of God, fulfilling what had been
prophesied ...
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou
shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken
of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with
child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name
Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
After receiving the information and instruction from the angel, Joseph
did as he was instructed, taking Mary as his wife, and naming the
child Jesus when He was born.
Matthew 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel
of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her
not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name
Jesus.
God wonderfully changed what Joseph had considered doing where Mary was concerned, revealing to Joseph HIS will and purpose in the matter, and instructing him in what to do.