Joseph – A Just Man

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. (Matthew 1:19)

What does it mean that Joseph was a "Just man"?  The phrase"a just..." appears 12 times in the Scripture (OT & NT).  It is applies not only to just men, but to "just Judges" (Psalm 7:11); "just causes" (Psalm 17:17); yielding a "just weight" (Proverbs 11:1);

The phrase “a just man” is a Hebraism suggesting that he was a true believer in God who had thereby been declared righteous, and who carefully obeyed the law (see Gen. 6:9).  Hebrews 2:2 speaks of a "just reward".  Isaiah 45:21 calls God a "Just God", only one of His great Names in Isaiah. 

Eccles. 7:15 speaks of the "just man" who perishes in his righteousness alongside of the wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.   Solomon begged God to give instruction to the "just man" in Proverbs 9:9, arguing that he will be still wiser and he that will increase in learning because that fear of the Lord was the beginning of all wisdom.   Noah, John the Baptist and Cornelius are all men who are labeled "just men in the Bible.  so Joseph travels in very good company!

"Just" is the very word used later in the NT to speak of the righteous of Christ communicated to us by grace through faith.  there is every reason to think that Joseph is the very epitome of an OT saint, a justified man, standing righteous before his God in pattern of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, David, Job and others.

Stoning was the legal prescription for this sort of adultery (Deut. 22:23, 24). Joseph’s righteousness meant he was also merciful; thus he did not intend to make Mary “a public example.”

“Was Minded to put her away privately…” -

The idea that there was a rigid set of laws that left no room for discretion is a fallacy.  There were surely laws and requirements.  But as Joseph demonstrates, there was also room for a "just man" to do as his heart and his mind directed him without violating that Law. 

We also need to address the issue of Divorce at this point in our thinking.  The Law allows for divorce the instance of unfaithfulness, the breaking of the covenant.  Note that Joseph's righteousness is nonnect to the practical action of not putting her away.  This is an import and obvious  thing, once we notice it!  As with believers to day, our theological righteousness, our justification must always be seen to work itself out into practical terms as Joseph's did here.  Joseph’s “righteousness” consists either in that he follows the appropriate halakah and divorces his bride, or in that he does not want to shame Mary the suspected adulteress by subjecting her to a trial for adultery—thus in his kindness and gentleness. 

Though he is an OT saint, we can see that he, in a manner of speak, shows for the character of Christ!  He is meek and gentle of spirit!  It is interesting that there is no evidence that Joseph felt anger, resentment, or bitterness. He had been shamed (if what he assumed had been true), but his concern was not for his own shame but for Mary’s. He was not wanting to disgrace her by public exposure of her supposed sin. Because he loved her so deeply he determined simply to put her away secretly.

Oh that you and, as believers, might show that depth of character and manifest that clearly the character of Christ in our every day life!