Matthew 1:18-25(King James Version)
18Now 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.
19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20But 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.
21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23Behold, 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.
24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
..one can only hope that Joseph received his just rewards in the afterlife...for it appears to me as tho he never as much as got a "Thank You" from God while he was alive..at least it's never quoted. even in Jesus' ministry, Joesph wasn't there(isn't mentioned..only Mary).Jesus himself never shows ANY regards towards his earthly "father" in any scripture that I'm aware of.....
if God didn't owe Joseph anything, then we truely are nothing more than owned slaves...that's MHO. yours' may vary....
Rem, I see what you're saying. Additionally, Joseph married what appeared to be a woman who had committed fornication since she was already pregnant. He had to abstain form relations with her, and it appears that he also died young and is never mentioned after he moved the family and the trip to the temple.
I can only imagine that he will be honored in some way since God chose him over the others and he chose to honor and obey God by doing as he was told.
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Today' s small bucks are tomorrow' s trophies.
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It seems that Jesus never really gave Mary any special recognition either. And I think there was good reason...He didn't want anyone giving anyone other than God recognition for anything. His whole ministry was to get people to understand what He came here for and Give God glory for everything.
But I still think Joseph was blessed. The angel of the Lord did appear to him so I'm sure he knew directly from God what was happening and didn't have to live a life of doubt about Mary or 'his' son.
We also have to understand that not every single word that was ever spoken was recorded so there may have been a specific 'thank you' but it wasn't recorded.
And I don't believe that Joseph died young either. At least not REALLY young. If Jewish tradition at the time was any indicator, then Mary was probably somewhere between the age of 14 to 16 when she was betrothed to Joseph. And also keeping with tradition, Joseph was probably in his late 20's or early 30's. Definately gross and illegal in our time but not so in their time. So if Jesus didn't start His full on ministry until He was 30, then Mary would have been in her mid to late 40's and Joseph would have been in his 50's to 60's. So even if he died before Jesus started His ministry He still could have lived a fairly full life.
As far as the "owned slaves" part of the post. Your kind of right to a point. The Bible states that we are bought with a price. Those that accept Christ as their Savior are indeed called to live their lives as living sacrifices. Which means that sometimes we have to let go of our own wants and desires to do what God has asked us to do.
But the best part of this is, being sold out for Christ also brings with it OUT OF THIS WORLD benefits. We are heirs with Christ and we have the promise of eternal life. That FAR outweighs any uncomfort we may have while on this earth.
So whether or not Joseph get a raw deal or not....I don't know. I do know that Jesus was a carpenter and so was Joseph. Therefore we know that Joseph took the time to teach his 'son' these things. I know that as a father, I certainly take pride and get a lot of joy out of teaching my children things. So I dont' think that Joseph thought it a burden to have Jesus there nor do I think Joseph felt he got a raw deal. My opinion of course.
I wish God would choose me to be his slave anyday and anytime.
I don't need recognision, because teh glory and the Honor is Always for Him, when you learn this lesson your life will be change totally and you will never want of anything.
THe Lord is my shepperd I shalt not want, Psalm 23:1
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"Blessed is He who Comes in The Name of The Lord"
I wish God would choose me to be his slave anyday and anytime.
I don't need recognision, because teh glory and the Honor is Always for Him, when you learn this lesson your life will be change totally and you will never want of anything.
THe Lord is my shepperd I shalt not want, Psalm 23:1
He did Alex. He chose us all to be servants.. I know this, I've been waiting on my wife hand and foot.
I think that Joseph was truly a humble servant, and not in need of recognition, as most great men of God.
as far as recognition goes...Mary is mentioned MANY more times in the Bible...that's the recog I'm speaking of...not any Jewish holidays created for Him, nor sainthood like the Catholics do.... the slave part, was sharpwit,however, we're to be PARTNERS, not servants... FRIENDS, not owned possesions... we serve out of love, not duty..big difference
...and yes, compared to others who were blessed beyond belief(Abraham....Job.....Moses..et.al) Joseph recieved nothing, yet His contribution was GREATER than them all... he "raised" the Son of Man.
as far as recognition goes...Mary is mentioned MANY more times in the Bible...that's the recog I'm speaking of...not any Jewish holidays created for Him, nor sainthood like the Catholics do.... the slave part, was sharpwit,however, we're to be PARTNERS, not servants... FRIENDS, not owned possesions... we serve out of love, not duty..big difference
...and yes, compared to others who were blessed beyond belief(Abraham....Job.....Moses..et.al) Joseph recieved nothing, yet His contribution was GREATER than them all... he "raised" the Son of Man.
nice responses tho, people....
Don't know where you got that notion of partnership with God rem, I sure like some scriptures that backs that up.
Here is one that says we are servants not partners.
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"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'?" (17:7-8)
1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using [your] liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servantsofGod.
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[/align]1Ti 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name ofGod and [his] doctrine be not blasphemed. [/align]
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[/align]Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John: [/align]
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[/align]Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servantsof our God in their foreheads. [/align]
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[/align]Rev 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery ofGod should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. [/align]
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[/align]Rev 19:5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. [/align]
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[/align]Rev 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne ofGod and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: [/align]
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[/align]Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings [are] faithful and true: and the Lord Godof the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. [/align][/blockquote]
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"Blessed is He who Comes in The Name of The Lord"
Did Joseph get a raw deal.....?
