We can become so used to Bible stories that we almost read them flippantly and with familiarity. Yet, I wonder what Joseph actually thought when the events surrounding the birth of Jesus occurred? Marriages were arranged by the families of the couple in those days and in that culture, as many still are today in some parts of the world. Also, the time of betrothal before the actual marriage of the couple was so legally binding as to require divorce to break the contract! The account of Jesus' birth in Matthew 1 refers to Mary as Joseph’s wife and Joseph as Mary’s husband though the couple were still only betrothed! Yet Joseph sees that Mary has become pregnant. The Bible says that he thought on these things. We don’t know how long he thought on it, but we do see that God delayed the answer to him long enough to allow him the time to think. No doubt he also prayed, since Scripture calls him a just man, or a believer. But he still was wrong in his plan! He thought that Mary had been unfaithful, even though he chose not to embarrass her, or even have her executed, as the Law allowed!

Why did God delay His answer to Joseph while he came up with his own plan?

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things…(Mt.1:19-20a)

We don’t know for sure, but another passage uttered by the Lord Jesus Himself, may give some insight concerning this and God’s seeming delays in our lives.

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily…(Lk.18:7-8a)

Notice Jesus says that the Father bears long with us! The point seems to be that God often uses difficult situations to prepare us to receive His best for us! The Bible says that at just the right time Jesus came into the world!

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son…(Gal.4:4a)

Just so, He comes into our world at just the right time to prepare us for His best that He wants to give us. That best is almost always the spiritual rather than the material. At the BBN Bible Institute, some of the finest Bible teachers in the world offer spiritual truth from the Word of God to any student that is interested in studying it. What a wonderful Christmas gift to offer your loved ones this year! Tell them about the BBN Bible Institute!