Jacob 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." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. (Mt 1:16,18-24)
Joseph was a righteous man. This could mean that he was a person who followed the laws in sincerity of heart. This could also mean that he was an innocent man, faultless and guiltless man. This was also revealed in not putting others into difficulty. He was not willing to put others to shame. He was true to God in observing the laws; he was true himself in being innocent; he was true to others in not putting others to shame. This is the reason that he is called a just man.
God revealed himself to Joseph in a dream. God related himself with just man. God’s relationship was in revealing His plans to just man. God reveals himself also through just man. God chooses people like Joseph to reveal his plans. Even dreams are means of revelations. Many a time, we do not consider dreams as God’s means of revelation.
Relationship with God and God’s revelation are always for greater things. In the case of Joseph, God revealed that Jesus was to be born. He was to be born but always in a special relationship with the one who has the revelations from God. It is in this that even the relationship builds up. Relationship will always reveal that “God is with us”. Greater things will happen for man who is just: a man of relationship with God and others, and a man of revelation.
