JOSEPH'S DREAMS

The three documented appearances of angels to Joseph, Mary’s husband and the stepfather of Jesus, were in dreams. The first appearance was to assure the confused and troubled Joseph of the fact that Mary's pregnancy was of God. The angel told Joseph what to name the child and informed him that this child would save his people from their sins. Joseph took this seriously and, even though it disrupted his entire life, he did what the angel ordered.

“But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, (Isaiah 7:14) which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” (Matthew 1:20-25)

An angel appeared to Joseph a second time in a dream. In this instance Joseph was told of Herod’s evil intent and was instructed to take the child and flee to Egypt and stay there until he, the angel, told him otherwise. Joseph did not argue or question the angel. and immediately took his family and escaped during the night.

“And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.” (Matthew 2:13-14)

The third manifestation to Joseph in a dream was after the death of Herod. The angel instructed Joseph to take Mary and Jesus back to Israel.

“But when Herod was dead, behold, and angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.” (Matthew 2:19-21)

Joseph’s obedience to God was flawless. No word is given as to why he was visited only in a dream and not in person. Joseph was merely in the background and quietly faded out of the picture. He was one of those silent heroes in the history of God’s plan for man.