An Angel Speaks to Joseph
While the Gospels do not record a single word spoken directly by Joseph, his actions and responses to divine revelation are pivotal in the unfolding of Jesus’ incarnation. Joseph receives angelic visits from Gabriel, which provide guidance, assurance, and instruction at critical points. These encounters, recorded primarily in the Gospel of Matthew, reveal not only the faithfulness and obedience of Joseph but also the sovereignty and providence of God in the accomplishment of salvation.
The First Visit: Assurance and Obedience
The first recorded instance of an angel speaking to Joseph occurs after he discovers that Mary, his betrothed, is pregnant. According to Jewish custom, betrothal was a binding engagement, and unfaithfulness during this period was considered a grave offense. Joseph, described as “a just man and unwilling to put her to shame,” resolves to divorce Mary quietly (Matthew 1:19). Instead, divine intervention occurs:
“But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:20-25)
The message reassures Joseph of Mary’s innocence and the divine origin of her pregnancy, affirming that the child is conceived by the Holy Spirit. The angel instructs Joseph to name the child Jesus (Yeshua, meaning “the Lord saves”), linking the child’s identity to the mission of salvation: “he will save his people from their sins.”
Joseph’s response is a representation of his devoutness and obedience to the Lord. He immediately takes Mary as his wife and accepts the role of legal father to Jesus, ensuring the fulfillment of prophecy.
The Second Visit: Protection and Providence
The second angelic message to Joseph occurs after the visit of the Magi, who come to worship the newborn king of the Jews. Their arrival in Jerusalem and inquiry about the Messiah alarms King Herod, who seeks to destroy the child. Once again, divine intervention comes through an angelic dream:
“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’” (Matthew 2:13-15)
Joseph is instructed to take immediate action to protect Jesus. Their flight to Egypt is a measure of safety and a fulfillment of prophecy. Hosea 11:1 says, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” This connects Jesus with the story of Israel, who was also called out of Egypt, and positions Jesus as the true Son who embodies and completes Israel’s destiny.
Joseph’s obedience is again prompt and sure. He departs by night, demonstrating both his trust in God’s guidance and his commitment to the well-being of his family. Their stay in Egypt, though brief, is a testament to God’s providential care and the fulfillment of his redemptive purposes.
The Third Visit: Return and Fulfillment
After the death of Herod, the angel appears to Joseph a third time, signaling that it is safe to return to Israel:
“But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.’ And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.” (Matthew 2:19-21)
Now that the threat has passed, Joseph is clearly told to bring his family back to Israel, where Jesus would grow up. The return to Israel marks the end of the family’s exile and the resumption of their life in the land of promise.
The Fourth Visit: Settlement in Nazareth
Upon returning to Israel, Joseph learns that Archelaus, Herod’s son, is reigning over Judea. Once more, divine guidance comes through a dream:
“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:22-23)
This final angelic warning leads Joseph to settle in Nazareth, a small town in Galilee. The move fulfills prophetic expectations. Nazareth, with its lowly reputation, becomes the setting for Jesus’ upbringing and the launching point for his ministry.
Conclusion
The angelic messages to Joseph are a vital thread in the fabric of the Gospel narrative. Through dreams and divine guidance, Joseph is led to accept Mary, protect the child Jesus, and fulfill the requirements of prophecy. His faith and obedience enable the safe arrival and upbringing of the Messiah, while the angelic visitations reveal the sovereignty, faithfulness, and redemptive purpose of God. In the story of Joseph and the angel, we are invited to trust in the God who speaks, guides, and fulfills his promises, even in the midst of uncertainty and adversity. The silent faithfulness of Joseph, shaped by the word of God delivered through angels, should inspire and instruct all who seek to follow the path of obedience and trust.