Christmas Story – Joseph’s POV

1) What is the purpose of genealogy? For Jews, knowing one’s lineage was very important. You had to be able to prove your heritage in order to inherit property rights; to hold a religious position (priests had to be descendants of Levi) and political position (king had to be a descendant of David and even further back to Judah, son of Jacob – Genesis 49:10); and to marry someone.

2) Why does Matthew begin his story of Jesus with Jesus’ genealogy? Matthew’s audience, the people he is writing this letter to, were Jews. (In contrast to John who wrote to a Gentile audience.) They knew the prophecies regarding the Messiah. Matthew was informing them up front that Jesus was the long promised Messiah. He did so using genealogy.

3) How does verse 1 begin? It does not say Jesus son of Joseph; rather, Jesus the son of David, the son of Abraham. Who was David? Established the royal line of kings. OT prophecy clearly stated that a descendant of David would be the Messiah. The ultimate ruler. Matthew presenting proof that Jesus, being a descendant of David, is the fulfillment of that prophecy. But Matthew doesn’t stop at David. He takes Jesus’ lineage further back to Abraham. Who was Abraham? The physical and spiritual patriarch of Israel. The receiver of the promise – through Abraham and his descendants all nations will be blessed. Matthew presenting proof that Jesus, being a descendant of Abraham, is the fulfillment of that promise. By connecting Jesus further back to Abraham, Matthew was informing his Jewish audience that the role of the Messiah was not confined to fulfilling a political responsibility but also a spiritual one- to be a blessing for all peoples, Jew and Gentile.

4) What are some names in Jesus’ genealogy that stand out to you? Point out – Jesus’ ancestors are mixture of good and evil; heroes and villains; the godly and the degenerates. Judah and Tamar; Salmon and Rahab (Matthew doesn’t refer to her as “the Harlot); Boaz and Ruth; David and the wife of Uriah (Matthew pointing out David’s greatest sin – opposite of Rahab); Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah; Zerubbabel; Jacob the father of Joseph. All shaped/molded Joseph. Take what he learned; the values he received from his ancestors and pass them on to Jesus.

Background on Jewish marriage ritual:

Marriages anciently were arranged by parents and continue to be even today in orthodox families. It was considered an act of honor to permit those with the wisdom and experience to make such important decisions. Children were betrothed, or engaged, generally as teenagers around age 15 or 16. A boy or girl becomes a man or woman at their 'bar' or 'bat' mitzvah at age 13. Taking on the rights and obligations of adulthood include the obligations of preparing for marriage and having a family. Girls work in earnest on their dowries and boys work on getting a room or place to live, generally in his families homes or lands. A betrothal would generally be arranged in the children’s mid to late teens and would last a long period of time like a year or more. A betrothal is more serious than an engagement by our standards. Once committed in this way behavior and expectations change dramatically for these children.

The first major step in a Jewish marriage was betrothal. Betrothal involved the establishment of a marriage covenant. By Jesus' time it was usual for such a covenant to be established as the result of the prospective bridegroom taking the initiative. The prospective bridegroom and his father would travel house to the home of the prospective bride. There they would negotiate with the father of the young woman to determine the price (mohar) that he must pay to purchase his bride. Once the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant was thereby established.

Arrangements were also made right then concerning the terms of the marriage. A written contract listed the time, place, and size of the wedding as well as recording the dowry and terms of maintenance of the marriage. This binding document called a "ketubah" was kept in the bride's possession until the consummation of the marriage.

The potential bride then entered the room whereupon the prospective groom proclaimed his love and asked her to be his bride. If the young woman wished to be his wife, she accepted his proposal at this time. The validation of the agreement made by the engaged couple was the presentation of a gift by the groom. He offered it in the presence of at least two witnesses. As he gave the gift, usually a ring, he said to his intended bride, "Behold you are consecrated unto me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel." The young man and woman were regarded to be husband and wife. From that moment on the bride was declared to be consecrated or sanctified, set apart exclusively for her bridegroom. As a symbol of the covenant relationship that had been established, the groom and bride would drink from a cup of wine over which a betrothal benediction had been pronounced.

After the marriage covenant had been established, the groom would leave the home of the bride and return to his father's house. There he would remain separate from his bride for a period of twelve months. This period of separation afforded the bride time to gather her tousseau and to prepare for married life. The groom occupied himself with the preparation of living accommodations in his father's house to which he could bring his bride.

The Bible refers to the status of the prospective bride and groom as "espousal" or "betrothal." It meant that the two people were committed to each other as much as a married couple would be. The only parts of the marriage not yet completed were the formal "huppah" ceremony followed by their physical union. This betrothal was considered so binding that the only way to break it was by an actual bill of divorcement.

Read Matthew chapter 1:18-19

5) If you were Joseph, what would have been your reaction to hearing the news that Mary was pregnant? Betrayed, angry, sad. What have you been doing the past year?

6) What did Joseph choose to do? Divorce Mary without making a big stink about it. Why? a) Joseph was a “just man.” – keeper of God’s commandments. Did not want to be married to someone who could follow God’s commandments. b) Unwilling to put her to shame. What other option could he have chosen? Joseph could have had Mary publicly stoned to death but did not. Despite what she did, Joseph loved Mary enough not to add to her embarrassment/shame. Let her have her life/future.

7) What does this tell you about Joseph’s character? Follower of the law mixed with compassion. Mercy over judgment. Acknowledged the sin but love the sinner. Perhaps big reason why God selected Joseph to raise His Son. Joseph’s occupation may have something to do with it also. Joseph was a carpenter. Jesus grew up in a carpenter’s shop. What would He see everyday? Wood and nails. A constant reminder to Jesus of his primary mission on earth. Die by wood and nails to redeem humanity.

Read Matthew 1:20-25

8) What did it take to convince Joseph not to divorce Mary? A visit from an angel who explained to Joseph the significance of the child Mary was carrying.

9) What do you think were some of the thoughts Joseph was thinking during Mary’s pregnancy and in the moments after Jesus’ birth?