Joseph –Restoring the House of David

Doug Floyd

The town gathered in anticipation, excitement: could he be the one? Every birth in
the tarnished house of David brought expectation that maybe just maybe the ancient
prophecies would come true, and Jesse’s root would bloom once again. Then the
royal house of David would once more rule the land, and the darkness of Rome and
of Herod’s wicked rule would finally come to an end.
The family waited anxiously for news of the coming baby. Could he be the true Son
of David that restores our fallen house? Could he really be the one?
He was not the one.
His father named him Joseph. And he grew in his father’s footsteps, a simple man
bearing the quiet dignity of a royal family that had long since lost its status. They
were simple people, simple carpenters. And they were faithful. Their lives revolved
around God’s precious gift to the His people: the Torah.
Joseph, like his father and like his father’s father, observed Torah. He worshipped
the Holy One of Israel. He expressed his devotion through obedience. A man of few
words, Joseph’s actions defined his faith. He remained faithful to the ways of the
fathers.
In the fullness of time, he looked for a righteous wife from a righteous people. The
family must observe Torah. The family must walk in the ways of the Lord. The
family must be a trustworthy, holy people. Joseph found such a family. And within
that family, he found Mary.
Joseph’s family and Mary’s family entered into covenant. They celebrated the
betrothal between Joseph and Mary. As the time of feasting came to a close, Joseph
took Mary by the hands, looked her in the eyes and proclaimed, “I am going now to
prepare a place for you, but I will come again and take you into my house.”
As Joseph and his family traveled home, an excitement danced in the air. He began
to dream. Soon his life would be transformed: his house would be a place joy
overflowing with children. This poor man would treat Mary as a princess. The royal
blood of the House of David would still shine in their simple life and their simple
home.
Months passed and one night Mary’s brother suddenly appeared at Joseph’s home.
Marked with the anguished look of a man bearing news that split through his heart,
he tried to speak. Joseph assumed the worst: “Is Mary dead?”
“No. She’s with child.” Falling to his knees, her brother began weeping and
begging for mercy upon her and the family.
Stunned, Joseph stumbled to the floor.
Soon he began weeping as though Mary really has died. God’s surprise appearance
in Joseph’s life was unexpected and unwelcome.
He grieved for the betrayal. He grieved for the dreams now dead He grieved for her
family who could not escape her shame He even grieved for her.
He wanted to spare them, yet the Torah constrained Joseph to act in certain ways.
How could he act faithfully and yet with mercy toward her family? The dismissal
would be a quiet affair. No trial. No public shame.
A weak and weary man lay to sleep that night with a heart torn between betrayal
and compassion. His sleep offered no respite. Suddenly his room lit up like the
Eastern sky at sunrise and an angel of the Lord appeared in his dream, “Son of
David!”
These three words resounded deep within his soul, deep within his blood, deep
within his family, and Joseph woke up for the first time in his life.
His family bore the shame of a fallen house. “Son of David” echoed through his
soul. It came as a blessing, a song of deliverance. It came as a surprise of love. In
these words of life, God’s “hesed,” his lovingkindess, his unrestrained mercy, his
unfathomable love brought life to Joseph.
“Do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her
is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name
Jesus, for he will save His people from their sins.”
Joseph arose.
The once dead root, now stirred. God called Joseph forth, and he obeyed. His heart
burned from the visitation, from the word of God. And now his mind now raced
with a flood of dreams, memories and new responsibilities.
For some reason an old legend about Moses’ father captured his imagination. A
similar dream, a similar visitation, a similar command, “For he will save the
Hebrews from their bondage in Egypt.” Moses’ father faithfully and quietly obeyed.
He received no earthly glory and simply faded into the shadows, and yet his
faithfulness made a way for the redemption of God’s people.
Now Joseph has been offered a similar commission.
A loved burned in his heart for Mary and for the baby within her womb. He would
lay down his life for them. From now on, his life would be in service of their life.
He would name the child “Jesus.” And by naming him, he would legally claim Jesus
as his own child.
As the Son of David, Joseph would obey the commission of God and make way for
the long awaited, true Son of David to come forth, restoring David’s fallen house
and restoring God’s people.
The time, the time, the time. He must hurry.
In a moment, he’s running. Running to his parents’ house, alerting them that there’s
going to be a wedding. While he makes no mention of the baby, he explains the
Lord told him the wedding must happen right away. Soon the whole town is
percolating with energy as everyone joins in the preparation.
Then a few nights later, Joseph dresses in the full regalia of the bridegroom.
Flowers and robe flowed around him. The Son of David goes to claim his bride.
The wedding party slips away in the middle of the night with torches, music,
dancing and celebration.
He appears at Mary’s family’s house like a thief in the night.
Mary’s grieving family had awaited his appearing for days with terror. They feared
the trial, the public shame, the end of their family name. Their feared the curse over
their poor, foolish daughter.
But Joseph doesn’t show up as the judge. He comes as the bridegroom to claim his
bride.