Deuteronomy 24.1-4; Matthew 1.17-25

He understood the problem. He knew about the so-called "loophole," to the marriage contract. If a husband became tired of his wife for any reason, he could put her out. He needed only to sign a divorce statement that was to be read in front of two witnesses: "I divorce you, I divorce you, I divorce you." Of course, he had to give his former wife everything she brought to the marriage. But she would be out. He would be free.

He also knew that the right man was chosen. A carpenter in Nazareth. He knew the carpenter’s heart. Seems as though they talked a lot while he carved wood into shapes useful to all. That was not all. The carpenter listened closely to His voice. God knew this man had a heart after His own. Joseph was the one Christ would soon call, "Daddy."

You had a God’s-eye view of Joseph, the earthly father-to-be of Jesus. We look at Joseph and glimpse at God, the Eternal Father. God provided a father for His Son like Himself. A tender, caring father. A father who knew the rules, but went out of his way to help those who might be overcome if they failed. Joseph reflected the loving, tender, and caring heart of God our Eternal Father.

We come again to familiar territory. We witnessed the Mighty God in the life of Mary. Today, we sense the Eternal Father asking Joseph to care for His gift to the world. I like Joseph and Mary. Just two people who lived in the backwoods of Israel. Nobodies. But God spoke to them, because they were SOMEBODY to Him. Do you feel like you do not really belong to God? Do you think that your life and effort do not amount to much? Learn from Joseph.

JOSEPH HAD A VALUABLE FAMILY

Certainly many distinguished families could have been chosen. He chose the family of Abraham. That family line was royal. It must have been the envy of many. The first fourteen generations showed the rise of the family of David, like the morning sun. The second fourteen generations flourished strong in glory and power. But the final fourteen generations reflected the decline, and end. But by the time the promised Messiah came, the line had dwindled into the family of a poor carpenter. God knew what He was doing.

You, too, have a valuable family!

I am fascinated to hear of all the connections people make when they talk of their families. I am very blessed when I hear so many in this church have ministers and missionaries in their family histories. That speaks well of any family.

Even if you don’t have any ministers in your family, you should know your own Christian heritage. It is worth your time to know. Some of you might say, "I’m the only Christian in my family." You still have a valuable family. You will find your heritage in the Word of God.

Matthew opens. ...the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. Gabriel begins his news to, Joseph, son of David, do not fear... So, if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Gal. 3.29) I encourage you today. You, too, can hear the voice of God say to Joseph and to every true believer: Fear not, son and daughter of Abraham, child of God. Always recall and rejoice in your new birth in Christ!

You, too, have a valuable family. God is your ETERNAL FATHER. Get to know them. Your family includes Joseph and Mary!

He heard His voice when he read or heard the Word of God. He knew Isaiah prophesied a Virgin shall be with child...a son...Immanuel, God with us. But Joseph also heard the in the Law. It was harsh and final. The loophole to divorce one’s wife was harshest on women. Did Mary tell him of her pregnancy? Perhaps. However he heard, it was quite a moment! Not only was she to have a baby, but a special baby. The father was God the Holy Spirit. What to do? Any other man might have thought the story was made up.

Joseph loved God and Mary too much to condemn her by Law. Joseph ...being a just/righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, resolved to divorce her quietly... He knew the Law of God. He even knew the famous "loophole" to get out of a marriage. In that one gesture Joseph also let us know something about this man. He knew the heart of God. There are words of Law...and words of grace and mercy!

Broken lives do not mend very well. Public disgrace hangs upon a person for a lifetime. Disgrace taints the family, too. Joseph knew the Word. It had the power to convict and judge every person. You might know people who love to be harsh against those who break rules. They demand their justice. They forget to look at the person. Most often, people are already broken by their own failures. They already stand condemned. They need people who not only know the justice of God, but also the mercy of God. God wants obedience. But like a father with a tender heart, He gives generous mercy.

Joseph was a just man. He knew his Father’s voice.

He must have considered the words from Psalm 103.13: Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. He knew the voice of God. Joseph was willing to be part of the plan of God. He was willing to bear the reproaches of Christ. That simple! That hard!

Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife; for that which was conceived in her was of the Holy Spirit. Fellow sons and daughters of Abraham, do not fear to follow Christ. He speaks all the time. He has a plan for you to bring His kingdom to this place! I want to tell you - You, too, can hear the voice of God! When you hear His voice you begin to understand that following Him turns you away from the world. To follow Him can cost your life. But He is worth your life. Take time- hear His voice!

God could have done some fantastic things in nature. But that never works. People end up worshiping rocks and trees and finding excuses to avoid God. He could have been tougher with His Law. But the Law that He did give us already convicts us of failure. Only when God comes to be with us, do we see how much He values us! Good News - Immanuel! He sent His Son. He came as part of one family.

You shall call His name Jesus...He saves His people from their sins! A Savior who can and did save His people from their sins! How do we know if we are included? Look upon Him on the cross. All the stupid, foolish things that you ever did against yourself, others and God must be judged!

But there is a Savior who took your place, because He loves you, too. Did you hear His voice? God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes...

Busy lives can keep us from God our Eternal Father. We can quickly forget what His voice sounds like. Frayed tempers. Too many expenses. Too hard to be joyful at this time of year. "Hear God? I can’t even hear myself!" God always helps those He loves. But God still comes. He wants us to hear His voice, too. Consider being like a child.

They seem to have better ears to hear His voice.

A new baby arrived in the family. The infant girl joined three other children- two boys just under ten and one sister, who was just four years old. The boys knew the warnings of Dad and Mom not to touch the new baby unless they were there. They were not sure of their four year-old. She was always trying to get close to the new arrival. One day the little girl quietly slipped into the baby’s room while she slept. Both parents watched and quietly moved closer, just in case there was a problem. They were surprised to see her lean very close to the sleeping baby and ask her sister, "Baby, what does the God’s voice sound like? I’m beginning to forget."