Yesterday in our Lesson Mary was “pondering” (Greek “sumballo”) the vital Events surrounding the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Today Matthew 1:20 is our focus, where Joseph is deep in thought as well.

And rightly so! His Wife-to-be says she is going to have a baby! And he has never “touched” her, not in any intimate way. Whose Child is this?

Should Joseph quietly divorce Mary?

Public charges against her could lead to great harm, maybe even death threats. Yes, he would go the “quiet” route! “Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.” Matthew 1:19

Then, suddenly, as he “thought” …

“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.” Matthew 1:21

My interest today is that verb “thought.”

Unlike Mary’s introspective “pondering” verb (from Luke 2:19), Joseph (in Greek “enthumeomai”) THOUGHT DEEPLY about what was happening, the word implying an “emotional” context to his deliberations. The “thumos” root embedded in “enthumeomai” means “passion, heat,” even “anger!”

Joseph was about to be upset!

Somebody (Mary) had some explaining to do!

Action had to be taken!

For holiness’ sake!

The man was about to “doubt” his Wife, her “story!”

A virgin having a baby?

Who ever heard of such?

Yes, Joseph “thought” a lot about this situation.

But … before the good man could do anything rash, before any harm could come to Mary (whether through embarrassment or through physical endangerment) … God intervened!

What a Lesson in personality!

Mary pondered quietly.

Joseph fervently (heatedly) debated what to do!

Is that a man/woman kind of thing?

For some reason the Holy Spirit has used 2 different verbs here … as far apart as night and day.

I suspect there’s a lot in the Christian life that has “upset” folks. A lot of “enthumeomai” has occurred in the history of the Faith.

And much of it, like Joseph’s, was unnecessary!

Because … while Joseph “boiled” … God had an angel on the way!

With an explanation, a miraculous one!

This coming Baby … is of the Holy Spirit!

God is centrally involved, and is pleased!

So Matthew 1:24 concludes: “Then Joseph … 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.”

Amen!

The Story ends well.

Joseph’s mental “fire” has been calmed!

Jesus was born!

And accomplished his Goal, Death on the cross with subsequent Resurrection!

Has returned (ascended) to Heaven, and is now at the Father’s Right Hand, praying for us!

Soon to return to earth!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Joseph calmed down, trusting the Lord!