Conversations With Angels (part 3)

Matthew 1:18-25

From Genesis to Revelation, God has spoken to some of His children in dreams. While there were times where they questioned the meaning of the dreams, they never questioned whether the dream was from God. They just knew. Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, Peter, John, and others, all received messages from God in dreams. Some of the dreams allowed for communication between God and the dreamer. Other times, only God spoke. In every instance, the dreamer awoke to both a greater understanding of who God is, and a greater understanding of His involvement in their lives.

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Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, 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.”

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

Matthew 1:18-25

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One dreamer I did not mention above was Joseph. Joseph was engaged to marry Mary, but then learned that she was pregnant. No reasonable person would have believed the wild story that she told. Everyone knows that virgins do not have babies. What kind of fool did she take him for? Regardless, he loved her. So, he decided that he would divorce her (this was required to break off the engagement) privately. He did not want to shame her or make her a public spectacle.

No doubt Joseph looked forward to going to sleep that night. It would be a retreat from the stress and shame he had been dealing with all day. Somewhere in the night, that break from reality was interrupted. It was not because he had awaken. No, rather his dreams were invaded. God sent an angel to confirm Mary's story and to instruct him to still marry her. Everything he thought he knew, all his plans were now changed. How could he argue with God?

Joseph was obedient to God. The angel gave him instructions, and Joseph followed them. Obviously Mary would have been relieved. Living this life that God had chosen for her would be extremally difficult, but having Joseph by her side would make it much more bearable. She would have his support and encouragement. She would also be a source of support and encouragement for him.

When God calls us to do something, whether it is to be a political leader (like Joseph in Egypt), or to proclaim a message of coming judgment (like Daniel and John), or if it is simply to be a Godly parent (like Joseph and Mary), we need to be obedient. Not only do we need to be obedient, but we need to do it to the best of our ability. We need to do the job in a way that is God honoring. One job is not more important than another. In Genesis, Joseph saved the lives of his 70 relatives as prime minister of Jesus. This led to around 2 million coming out of Egypt during the Exodus. However, the second Joseph raised and protected the life of a single child and His mother. He, too, took them into Egypt and brought them out. However, the child he raised would be the Savior of the world. Being a dad was no less important than being prime minister. They were to do the job God called them to do, and do it well.

Father, thank You for having a plan for each of us. Help us to do that job well. Create within us that desire. May we desire to do our calling well because we love You and want to give You our best.