In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
Luke 2:1-5
The Gospel of Luke only mentions Joseph four times (1:27; 2:4,16; 3:23), but it is Luke’s last remarks about the carpenter that are particularly revealing. “Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli” (Luke 3:23). The phrase “as was supposed” shows us that people thought Jesus was conceived from the union of Mary and Joseph, despite his conception through the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). When people mention Joseph today, it is often for the apparent small presence he had in Jesus’ life, especially his adulthood. This is because the last mention of Joseph in the Gospels is from a time when Jesus was twelve (Luke 2:41-51). Then, Joseph seemingly disappears and many think this is most likely due to Joseph’s passing. And this is ironic because the people who “supposed” Joseph was Jesus’ father thought so not because of Joseph’s absence from his life, but because of his fatherly presence. From the outside, Joseph portrayed authentic fatherhood toward Jesus. The Bible is not replete with facts and appearances of Joseph, but the 14 times the Gospel writers mention him provide the church with an incredible example of biblical manhood. Here are six lessons of biblical manhood from the life of Joseph at the First Advent of Christ:
Joseph was a Man of Character
Before Joseph was ever a father, he was known to be a “righteous man” (Matthew 1:19). This verse reveals the character of Joseph prior to being a father. This is a lesson to men out there – Don’t wait for premarital counseling to cultivate righteousness. Seek older, wiser men who can disciple you to be a godly son of the Lord, before you pursue becoming a godly father of a child.
Joseph Obeyed God’s Message
There are many words I could use to describe Joseph, but obedient tops my list. On four different occasions God sent an angel to instruct Joseph (Matthew 1:24; 2:13, 19, 22). One phrase my wife and I try to keep in mind as we parent our children is, “Delayed obedience is disobedience.” Joseph never delayed in obeying God’s message. In every instance, Joseph obeyed God immediately.
Joseph Recognized the Significance of the Holy Spirit
The scripture (especially Luke and Matthew) goes to great lengths to make it obvious that Joseph was “a son of David.” This means he was a Jew, taught by his father Heli regarding the word of God.[1] The entire basis for Joseph’s obedience was the involvement of the Holy Spirit in the situation; an involvement that led Joseph to wed Mary and be the guardian of Jesus.
Joseph Selflessly Protected His Family
The Gospels of Matthew and Luke show Joseph traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem to Egypt and back to Nazareth to preserve and protect his family (Mattew 1:18-25; 2:13-15; Luke 2:1-7). A conservative estimate totals well over 300 miles worth of journeying for Joseph and his family. Remember, they did not have cars, buses, or trains. Even if they had ridden on the back of an animal, these trips would have collectively taken days and days. Joseph gave up his time and autonomy in obedience to God to protect his family.
Joseph Discerned Dangers That Could Harm His Family
Through all of his encounters with angels, God sovereignly trained Joseph to discern dangers that could harm his family. When Joseph took up his wife and child to return to Israel from Egypt, “he heard that Archelaus (ark-uh-lay-us) was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, [and] he was afraid to go there” (Matthew 2:22). Joseph perceived danger and apparently sought guidance from God, who directed him away from the sloppy, tyrannical leadership of Archelaus leading his family into safety.
Joseph Used His Skillset to Provide for His Family
Joseph and Mary moved around a few times in the early years of Jesus’ life. It appears that whether in Israel or Egypt, Joseph provided for his family. Later on, when Jesus began his ministry, he was referred to as “the carpenter’s son” (Matthew 13:55). Some scholars even believe that Joseph chose to settle in Nazareth because of a newly commissioned building project that would have inevitably provided long-term, consistent work for a carpenter like himself. The lesson here is that men of God use their skillset to provide for their family. Joseph’s life portrayed biblical manhood and for a period, he was our Lord’s protector. We are encouraged by his example at the first advent of our Savior and challenged to be found faithful in our God-given callings when the Lord returns at the second advent.
[1] Deuteronomy 6:4-9 commanded the Jewish fathers and mothers to continually teach their children the word of God.
The Twelve Days of Advent 