If you’re reading the Pentateuch with us this year, you know that we’re taking a break to read Matthew’s gospel. I was delighted to find something new and exciting about Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, the very first day! I’ve written about Joseph before, but this observation is new:

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. (Matthew 1.18, 19, LSB)

“A righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her…” Some “righteous” men would have wanted to disgrace her with great fanfare. A Pharisee, for example. Or even Judah back in Genesis 38:

About three months later Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant.” Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned to death!” (Genesis 38.24, NIV)

But “righteous” Joseph seems to have a different standard. “Righteous” equals kind and merciful, rather than judgmental.

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6.8, NKJV)

Joseph would have done precisely that: love mercy and walk humbly with God. Maybe that’s one reason God didn’t choose a Pharisee or other religious leader to be Jesus’ earthly father. Some of us don’t walk humbly with God. We act like God should be glad to have us.

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men…'” (Luke 18.9 – 11, NKJV)