So, He Got Up
Did you ever wonder if Joseph began to dread going to sleep at night? With my Bible open, spanning Matthew 1:17 to 2:23, I can see the phrase, "a dream" mentioned 5 times-- four of those pertaining to Joseph. Did he ever ponder, as he closed his eyes, if this would be a night of disturbed sleep?
All of Joseph's recorded utterances could be placed on the head of a pin, which would be zero. (In how many Christmas plays have you actually heard a speaking Joseph?). The rest of the participants at the time of Christ's birth--Mary, shepherds, angels, wise men, even Simeon later on--all had something to say. Joseph's silence keeps us focused on the heavenly Father.
No account is made of Joseph, thrashing around on his mat after a dream, grumbling about moving yet again. Though what father today would relish hopping up, shaking his slumbering wife and saying, "OK, honey, we're outta here! Grab the rocker, crib, baby monitor, stroller, swing-o-matic, jolly jumper, baby bathtub, food grinder, earplugs, 10 tons of toys, 20 tons of clothes, 30 tons of disposable diapers, and meet me at the minivan in 40 minutes--oh, and don't forget the baby!"? Yet having a simpler life-style, say... needing only to back a donkey out of a stall and throw a few things on its back did not, I am sure, diminish the angst of the moment.
What we do read about Joseph is his faithfulness:
-"Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him..." (Matt. 1:24)
-"And when he arose, he took...and departed..." (2:14)
-"And he arose,and took...and came..." (2:21)
-"Being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside..." (2:22)
Like any earthly father should desire to do, he simply followed his Lord's instructions, and took care of his family.
So, he got up....
© Thought So! //To automatically receive these blogs when written, visit Ribtickler and look for the “Free By E-mail” icon.
Field Stories - misisonary stories for Sunday School, VBS, Christian School...
