Suddenly he knew!

Joseph considered the evidence. Seriously. What man wouldn’t? His betrothed. His wife. Was pregnant. And he knew the baby wasn’t his. In those days, betrothal meant they were already husband and wife, although sex would wait until a year had passed.

* The betrothal period was a time of great anticipation for the bride as she waited for the arrival of her betrothed. She knew the approximate timing, but the exact hour or day was uncertain. The father of the groom was the one who would give the final approval for the marriage to begin.

So the groom’s arrival was to be a surprise!


However, the news of a baby meant Joseph’s plans would need to change.
Yes, from a legal standpoint, Mary was already his wife but they …

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means ‘God with us’).”

Suddenly, he knew what to do, *|FNAME|*!

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25)


Joseph could have dumped her, but chose to believe instead.
… and I wonder if her groom’s arrival was still a surprise to Mary.