From Prison to the Palace: The provision of God’s rescue

In the history of Africa and other continents, we identify the imprisonment of many freedom fighters by the colonial leaders or their own people. In most cases, these freedom fighters are wrongfully imprisoned and few die behind the bars. The fortunate others were released from prison to take on important positions in their nations. This is similar to the story of Joseph in the Old Testament. First, out of envy, his own brothers sold him as a slave. While serving as a slave, the wife of his master wrongfully accused him and he was put into prison for no crime. “But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭39:20‭-‬23‬)

However, the prison was not the final destination for Joseph. God had bigger plans for him. Most people like Joseph are in their Egyptian prisons. They have been confined to a place that is not their destiny but because they are enjoying the favours from their masters, they are content. Joseph knew the prison was not his final destination and as such when one prisoner was released, Joseph asked him to remember him and show him kindness. Joseph asked that this man mention him to Pharaoh and get him out of this prison (see Genesis‬ ‭40:14‭). However, the chief cupbearer of Pharaoh, for whom Joseph interpreted his dream, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him (Genesis‬ ‭40:23‬). This negligence on the part of the cupbearer added 2 more years on Joseph’s prison years. Yet, God still wasn’t done with Joseph. While in prison, the Pharaoh himself had two dreams in one night and his magicians could not interpret for him. It was then that the chief cupbearer was reminded of his wrongdoing. He recommended Joseph to Pharaoh.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41:39‭-‬40‬).

Right after this recommendation, Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and had him quickly brought from the dungeon. When Joseph had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh (Genesis‬ ‭41:14‬). Through divine wisdom, Joseph interpreted the dreams to Pharaoh and even gave contingency measures. Now there was the need to get a Prime Minister in Egypt to oversee the gathering of food for seven years in preparation for the seven years of famine. Pharaoh asked, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41:38‬). Definitely no one except the interpreter of the dreams. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41:39‭-‬40‬). In just one day, Joseph’s destination changed. He moved from the prison to the palace of Egypt as a Prime Minister.

God provided Joseph a final destination. However, in order to get there, Joseph had to sharpen the same skills that led to his enslavement in the first place: interpretation of dreams. When you find yourself at the lowest point of your life, don’t abandon your gifts and talents. While on the low side, spend time to sharpen your skills and talents. Work on yourself (get some training if possible to improve your skills and talents), work on your character (Joseph was once boasting about his dreams but while in prison, he learned to talk only when needed). The prison of life can be a stepping stone to the palace of life. Make every opportunity count. Instead of sulking and lamenting in your lowest points, look for avenues to build yourself to be ready for the palace. Ask yourself this: “if God should provide an entry to my palace experience, what do I have to show forth?”

Angelic Greetings!

Angels played different roles in the life and ministry of Jesus. Angels were involved in the announcement of the conception of Jesus Christ, the announcement of His birth, His ministry, His resurrection and His ascension. Angels are messengers of God and they special assignments in the lives of believers. Whenever you see a nativity setting, there is always an angel or angels. This is a reminder of the role angels played in the birth of Jesus.

Prior to the conception of Jesus, His mother Mary received a divine visitation. It was one of Mary’s normal days. She went about doing what she does and possibly doing it with joy. The young virgin was pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David (‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:27‬). Joseph and Mary looked forward to their wedding day. However, in the Jewish culture, betrothal in itself was considered binding and the only way to annul a betrothal was through divorce. Mary and Joseph might have made plans for their wedding. They would have anticipated a beautiful ceremony full of joy and love. Mary might have had daydreams about her wedding supper and all the pomp.

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”‭‭ (Luke‬ ‭1:28‬)

Six months prior to Mary’s angelic visitation, Zachariah and Elizabeth had received their own angelic visitation. This visitation led to the birth of John the Baptist. In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee (Luke‬ ‭1:26‬). Angel Gabriel was sent to the house of Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:28‬). The young Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be (‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:29‬). I am not sure of the appearance of the angel but I believe it would have been so awesome that Mary knew at the spot that she had encountered a divine being. “Why would an angel bring me this kind of greeting?” Mary would have pondered over it. Knowing her concerns, the angel replied,

“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”‭‭ (Luke‬ ‭1:30‭-‬33‬)

How is that even possible? Mary was still a virgin. Mary asked a legitimate question, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”‭‭ (Luke‬ ‭1:34‬). The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God (Luke‬ ‭1:35‬). In faith, Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:38‬). True to the words of the angel, the Greetings were no ordinary Greetings for Mary was found to be with a child. The Word of God was made manifest in the life of Mary and the Seed of the most High God began to grow in her.

When Joseph saw that his betrothed wife was pregnant, he was concerned and “because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.‭‭” (Matthew‬ ‭1:19‬). Before Joseph could initiate his plans, “an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”‭‭ (Matthew‬ ‭1:20‭-‬21‬).

As Mary and Joseph walked to Bethlehem to be counted, they might have pondered over this, how a Greeting led to a conception. They knew that Mary was carrying no ordinary child. A baby so powerful, so divine, and yet so humble to be in the womb of an ordinary girl. This Christmas, remember that you can also be a channel of hope to someone. Send words of encouragement, prayers and support to those who need it. A Greeting card can go a long way to change someone’s mood. Be a messenger that brings good news of the salvation of God. “Greetings, you who are highly favoured!”

Mary: The mother of a missing child

Mary and the family returned to Nazareth after the death of Herod (Matthew 2:19-23). While in Nazareth, they continued their life as a family and also committed to taking part in Jewish religious activities. Luke’s gospel records that “every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover” and when Jesus turned twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom (Luke 2:41-42). In the Jewish culture 12-13 year old boys are ushered into Bar Mitzvah or Son of the Commandment. This ceremony is still held in Jewish communities. Thus, the Passover would have been Jesus’ official visit to the temple as an obligatory event for a Jewish boy. The Temple was held with so much honour and significance and at the Passover, the teachers of the Law in the temple would come out to teach all the people. The boy Jesus would have had the opportunity to see what happens in the temple and also to engage in some of these lessons from the teachers.

However, after the ceremony was over, while Mary and Joseph were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph were unaware of it and they thought Jesus was in their company. After they had travelled for a day, they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him (see Luke 2:43‭-‬45). Imagine the worry and the anxiety the parents went through. The journey back to Jerusalem would have been swift and short. They would have thought of all the worse case scenarios. How could they leave the Son of God behind? Why didn’t God prompt them sooner? Where would Jesus be in Jerusalem? What was he eating and who was hosting him? These and many more questions would have been on their minds as they rushed through the streets in Jerusalem.

When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” (Luke 2:48)

Mary did not experience extraordinary parenting. She saw Jesus cry, hungry, tired among many other childhood memories. Mary also had a missing child and experienced all the anxieties that come with it. Mary and Joseph scouted the streets of Jerusalem for days and they finally went to the temple. Luke 2:46 records that after three days, Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Thus, if the parents had begun the search in the temple, they wouldn’t have searched that long. Jesus’ intelligence was on display and “everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers” (Luke 2:47). When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you” (Luke 2:48). Mary was real, they were anxious about Jesus.

Jesus asked his parents, “Why were you searching for me?” “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). This seems to imply that Jesus expected his parents to know where to find him: the temple. Jesus referred to the temple as his “Father’s house”. Thus even at twelve years, the boy Jesus was fully aware of his assignment on earth. Mary and Joseph did not understand what he said to them (Luke 2:50). They knew that Jesus was the Son of God but they missed the fact that the temple was the earthly depiction of the house of God. After this encounter, the family returned to Nazareth and Jesus was obedient to them (Luke 2:51a). The second part of Luke 2:51b states that “But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” Mary kept all these details in her heart. It is appropriate to state that this childhood event of Jesus might have been shared by Mary. She knew the details. She encountered the amazing experiences that Jesus’ pregnancy, birth, childhood and life brought to her.

Mary thought her son was missing in Jerusalem, what she didn’t realize was the fact that Jesus was in his Father’s house. Sometimes, parenting doesn’t always go as planned, what we should know is that, we will always have answers in the house of God. We should be intentional to take our children to the house of God. Most importantly, our Christianity and lifestyles should not contradict each other. Our children are watching us, they are experiencing Christ through us, they are reading the Bible through the way we live. Can God trust you with His child? Will you show the child the ways of God?

Mary: The woman on a flight

The birth of Jesus although took place in a lowly location (stable) was surrounded by God’s presence. Mary and Joseph welcomed God’s Son and while they pondered over why God chose to have His born in the manger, some shepherds came in testifying about the angelic visitation they had encountered. During Mary’s purification rites, two God-fearing people, Simeon and Anna testified of Jesus in the temple. Mary had kept all these in her heart. Matthew’s gospel records another visitation that placed the life of Jesus in danger. According to Matthew 2:1-2, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” King Herod wasn’t happy about another king in his kingdom.

After Herod consulted the chief priests and the teachers of the Law, he was told that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Cunningly, Herod told the Magi, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him” (Matthew 2:8). Herod sent the Magi to Bethlehem with an intention to kill the child after he had received the report from the Magi. This incident probably happened sometime later after Jesus was born because the Magi did not meet the baby Jesus in the manger but a house. The Magi, “after they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:9‭-‬11).

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt. (Matthew 2:14)

Mary might have been overjoyed with the visit. The Magi were astrologers and foreigners. Thus, Jesus was not just the Messiah of the Jews but of all people and nations. The gifts had their own significance in the ministry, life and death of Jesus. The boy Jesus, now living in a house, not a stable, was honoured by these great men from the east. God warned the Magi in a dream not to go back to Herod, and they returned to their country by another route (Matthew 2:12). When the Magi left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matthew 2:13‭-‬15)

Mary might have wondered why God had to make them flee. Couldn’t God have saved Jesus from Herod? Why must they flee? These and many questions did not prevent the couple from obeying God. They had questions but they chose to obey. Mary, the highly favoured woman, after giving birth to God’s own Son in a stable had to flee from a human king. Mary’s child was in danger and God’s solution was to flee. Why didn’t God hide Jesus from Herod? The truth is, going to Egypt (just like giving birth in Bethlehem) was part of God’s plan for Jesus. Matthew’s gospel confirms that leaving for Egypt fulfilled what the Lord said through Prophet Hosea, “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1 cited in Matthew 2:15).

However the fact that the wise men did not return to Herod made Herod furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi (Matthew 2:16). Imagine the outcry! God saved His Son from this massacre. Matthew’s gospel considers this as a fulfillment of Prophet Jeremiah’s prophecy: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more” (Matthew 2:17‭-‬18). Mary and Joseph and the child Jesus were in exile until after the death of Herod.
“After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:19‭-‬23)

Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to move when all seem to be well. Mary could have been a rich woman in Bethlehem with all the gold she had received from the Magi. But, for the assignment of Jesus to be fulfilled, she had to flee with her family to Egypt.

Is God calling you to leave a place of contentment to a place of your calling in order to fulfill your destiny?

Anna the prophetess: A great Intercessor

The Israelites were given several regulations by God. These included the purification rites. The books of Exodus and Leviticus give details about this regulation.
Exodus 13: 12, 14-15- You are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the Lord. “In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the Lord the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’
Leviticus 12:1‭-‬4- The Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred or go to the sanctuary until the days of her purification are over.
Mary had to go through these rites after the birth of Jesus.

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage (Luke 2:36).

Luke records that “When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” (Luke 2:22‭-‬24). While in the temple, Mary and Joseph met two people who confirmed the Messiahship of Jesus: a man named Simeon and a woman named Anna. We shall focus on Anna in this post. This is how Luke’s gospel describes Anna: Luke 2:36-37 – “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.”

First we are told that Anna operated in the prophetic ministry. The prophetic ministry demands a deeper intimacy and relationship with God. Anna spent years developing and shaping her ministry. Anna was from the tribe of Asher and was the daughter of Penuel. At the time Anna met baby Jesus, she was eighty-four years and had been a widow most of her life because her husband died seven years after marriage. You might consider Anna as a sad woman, but she was not. Scripture says that Anna occupied herself day and night in the temple. She was fasting and praying even at eighty-four years. She was busy with matters of God’s agenda. She wasn’t sad and melancholic. She wasn’t bedridden. She wasn’t seeking to be pitied. For most of her life, Anna was interceding for the nation of Israel. She was just an old widow but she fasted and prayed until God answered her prayers.

At the same time Mary went to the temple for her purification, Anna was also at her post doing what she does best. Anna didn’t leave the temple until she met the Saviour she had been praying and longing for. Luke 2:38 (NLT) states that “She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.” Imagine how long Anna prayed for the Saviour. Anna and Simeon saw what the priests could not see: that Jesus is the Messiah. Intimacy with God opens one up to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Anna never saw herself as too old to pray. She kept doing the same routine (prayer and fasting) over and over again until she saw God’s redemption.

Dear reader, Intimacy with God is not a Sunday affair. It is a lifetime experience. Don’t give up because you prayed for a year and what you wanted to see didn’t happen. Keep pushing. The whole nation of Israel looked forward to their redemption but only two intercessors were actually in the temple praying and expecting their prayers to be answered. You might be that person God is counting on to pray for the redemption of your family, your community and your nation. Don’t stop praying!

Mary: The mother of our Shepherd Jesus!

Just before Jesus’ birth, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. According to Luke’s gospel, this was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register (Luke 2:1‭-‬3). Mary was heavy with the baby. She was carrying the Son of God. Shouldn’t God have caused Caesar Augustus to postpone this census just because of Mary’s pregnancy? Imagine if you do not know the whole story, you might question God for putting the heavily pregnant Mary on a journey of about 90 miles in four days. Remember, there were no cars and Joseph and Mary were too poor to afford a carriage. In fact, carriages were for the very rich and the rulers of the people. So for four very tiring days, Mary and Joseph made a 90 mile journey going up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child (Luke 2:4‭-‬5).

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:7)

As if this strenuous journey wasn’t enough, there was no guest room available for them in Bethlehem. As if this wasn’t enough, while they were there, the time came for the baby to be born (Luke 2:6). Imagine yourself in the shoes of Mary and Joseph at that time. They were probably tired from the long journey. They were exhausted from searching all day for a guest room and finally, the Son of God was on the way and they had no room to welcome him. They were not even sure of getting a decent bed to lay the baby on. Is God not looking forward to having His Son on earth? Why wasn’t He helping them,one may ask. A kind man gave them his stable and while in there, Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them (Luke 2:7). The Maker of the heavens and earth welcomed His first son in a manger. Mary and Joseph might have wondered and thought about all these. Why would God do that to them and His son?

While Mary and Joseph were holding their newborn, something spectacular happened in the fields nearby. Luke 2:8-12 records that: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Then a choir of angels appeared and sang praising God. The shepherds could not wait. They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger (Luke 2:16). The first guests to welcome the Son of God were shepherds. When the shepherds had seen the baby, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them (Luke 2:17‭-‬18). These would have been an awesome experience but Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19).

Mary might not have given birth in a comfortable place but the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem fulfilled prophecies. Below are a few verses:
The seed of the woman: And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)
Virgin birth: Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
Birth in Bethlehem: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)
His coming from the tribe of Judah: The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. (Genesis 49:10)

Mary’s experience was unpleasant for a time, but she ultimately fulfilled God’s purpose. Whenever we go through unpleasant experiences we should go to God and find answers. Remember not all things come from God. The devil can also put one in trouble. Before you accept your fate, know that if it is not from God, you need to break that yoke and be free.

Mary’s baby came as the shepherd king. His first interaction with shepherds indicates his ministry of reconciliation. Jesus needed to be closer to the people he had come to save; His sheep.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalms 23:1‭-‬6)

Mary, the wife of Joseph

Mary accepted her assignment to carry the Son of God. She knew that this assignment may present to her challenges including losing her betrothed husband. After all, as at this time, Joseph had no idea of the conversation between Mary and the angel. There was no scripture attesting to the fact that Mary told Joseph about her encounter prior to his own encounter. Joseph might have been excited about the prospect of their wedding ceremony. He would have envisaged the pomp and the party. Their union was yet to be consummated so he might have been excited about their wedding night. Then suddenly, there was a stir in the neighbourhood. Joseph’s family and friends needed answers to their questions. Why has Joseph brought shame to them? Why did he impregnate Mary before their wedding? Joseph might have been surprised but as a just man, he kept calm.

Joseph was no ordinary man, he was religious. Matthew 1:19 states that “Joseph, her husband, was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” God’s assignment will always be done if the systems on earth align with God’s purpose. Mary was not the only one destined to cater for the Son of God. Joseph, a faithful man was also chosen to be the earthly father for God’s Son. Joseph, a faithful adherent of the law of God, understood the ways of God. Joseph had made up his mind to divorce Mary quietly. However, heaven intervened. Matthew 1:20-21 states that, “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. (Matthew 1:24)

Mary didn’t have to convince Joseph, God did that. Joseph wasn’t slow to act and he wasn’t disobedient to the angel’s words. According to Matthew 1:24-25, “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” Joseph was patient enough to wait until the birth of God’s Son before consummation of their marriage. Indeed, Mary needed Joseph for this task. No wonger of all the young couples in the lineage of David, Mary and Joseph were chosen.

Matthew’s gospel considers this event as the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Thus, all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet. Mary and Joseph might not have had their dream wedding but they fulfilled God’s purpose for salvation. Mary’s husband was just the right support system for her. Joseph was not harsh, he was gentle and ready to marry Mary as soon as the angel revealed to him the purpose of Mary’s pregnancy. Imagine Joseph as the first man to hold God’s son; imagine Joseph as the first man to teach God’s Son the laws of God; imagine Joseph as the father to hear all the testimonies about his Son even as a newborn baby; imagine Joseph as the one with the mandate to escape to Egypt with God’s Son to prevent the wickedness of Herod. Couldn’t God have done all these without Joseph? No, God needed Joseph to fulfill His purpose on earth. God works through men!

As Mary said “Yes” to Joseph (whether the marriage was arranged or not), she actually said “Yes” to her destiny partner. The man heaven has ordained to be the perfect earthly father to God’s own Son.

Young unmarried woman, your husband is your destiny helper. If he has not proven himself a worthy partner while in courtship, please don’t carry him to the altar. Heaven and earth await your manifestation. Your spouse can either lead you to fulfill God’s call or lead you to abandon God’s call. It is not archaic to pray for a spouse! Not all that glitters is gold!

Mary: The virgin betrothed to Joseph

One of the many critics of the Christian faith is the virgin birth or our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Many people do not have any issue accepting Jesus as one of the greatest men who ever lived, but their contention is God’s modus operandi for bringing in Jesus. Surprisingly such people have no issue believing in all the technological innovations that make fertilization and childbearing a little easier for women who had struggled with issues of childbearing. If science has advanced to the level to effectively allow in vitro fertilization (IVF), an assisted reproductive technology (ART) where sperm and an egg are fertilized outside of the human body and later the fertilized egg or the embryo is placed inside the uterus for implantation, then we should have no challenge dealing with the miracle of the virgin birth. After all, God created all things and understands our makeup more than the specialized doctors.

to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. (Luke 1:27)
and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. (Matthew 1:16)

The Psalmist said this: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalms 139:13‭-‬14). The God who made man from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7), was the same God who brought His Son through a virgin. This is how the announcement of the birth of Jesus was reported in Luke’s gospel:
“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.” (Luke 1:26‭-‬27). We need to understand that the scriptures use dates and time for specific purposes. In our previous post, we identified that the angel named Gabriel went to Zachariah, the husband of Elizabeth, to announce the birth of their son who will prepare the way for God’s Messiah. Six months after Elizabeth had taken seed, God sent the same angel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee. Angel Gabriel was sent to a virgin named Mary. This virgin was betrothed or pledged to be married to Joseph, a descendant of David.

Mary’s pregnancy had been announced by God several years ago through his prophets. Isaiah 7:14 among many scriptures mention the conception of a son by a virgin. God did not just choose any virgin. Mary was born specifically for this assignment. Her life mission was for the Saviour of the world to be born through her. Therefore, her commitment to purity was not just to prepare her for Joseph alone. Her commitment to purity was to fulfill her calling. The world needed a Saviour and God had destined before the foundation of the world was laid that His Son will be the sacrificial lamb (Revelation 13:8). Joseph was not just a random husband for Mary. He was chosen specifically for the task.

Remember, that you are not a product of just an affair between your parents. You have a charge to keep and call to fulfill. You are here for a purpose and the destiny of the people you have been sent to impact remain unchanged if you fail to be the vessel prepared and made ready. Mary chose purity and she was ready for her task. What do you have to commit to doing to make you an available vessel for your life’s purpose?

Asenath: The wife of Joseph

Getting married is a big thing and most couples spend a fortune to prepare for their big day. It comes with massive preparation and making sure that everything is done perfectly. Recently, most couples are resorting to wedding planners so that the load of planning will be taken away. Obviously wedding planners do charge enough fees to cover up for their services. How would you feel if you had your marriage planned by the highest authority of the land? Technically, you are saved from all the pressure of planning, and the financial burden that comes with it. One person who had such a surreal marriage experience is Joseph. His past was filled with painful experiences. He lost his mum while he was still a child. He was sold as a slave by his own brothers. He was convicted and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. But, God wasn’t done with him yet. While in prison, God opened a great door of dream interpretation ministry and that officially launched Joseph into his career. The day he left the prison, he was crowned as the prime minister of Egypt. As a great personality, he needed a wife that matched his current position. There comes Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. 

Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:45) 

Asenath’s upbringing was totally different from Joseph’s. She would have been prepared as an important lady, with religious beliefs of her father. Definitely, Asenath was not prepared to be married to an ex-convict who rose to become prime minister. Joseph’s past was not relevant to the Egyptians. Therefore, Asenath wouldn’t have been worried about stigmatization. I believe Joseph would have been vindicated of the wrong accusations laid on him by Potiphar’s wife. Joseph’s life changed totally. “Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:45). Asenath and Joseph’s marriage was arranged by the Pharaoh of Egypt. It would have been a national ceremony.  Joseph had a task to ensure that Egypt survives the impending famine. Asenath had a task to ensure that her husband is well taken care of and ready for his assignment. “Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” (Genesis 41:50‭-‬52).

Asenath might not be listed as a heroine in the Bible, but we cannot forget the important role she played in Joseph’s life. She might have accepted the God of Joseph as her God which meant the denial of her father’s gods. In the future, the children of Asenath and their descendants became part of God’s bigger story. Manasseh and Ephraim became two important tribes in Israel. There are many women who play background roles in the lives of their husbands. Such women are barely seen. They work backstage and since we don’t focus on the backstage events, we always fail to acknowledge them. If the world doesn’t celebrate you, it doesn’t mean you are not an amazing person. Asenath supported the work of Joseph and ensured that the home was well taken care of as Joseph went throughout Egypt to collect grains. Whether you play backstage roles or onstage roles, know that your service is keeping the world a better place. Remember, “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Be serviceable now, tomorrow might be too late.

Potiphar’s wife: The seductive and evil woman

Rachel’s first son Joseph landed into trouble with his own brothers for both his words/dreams and Jacob’s favouritism.  Ultimately, the sons of Jacob grew tired of him, tried to kill him but ended up selling their own brother as a slave. Reuben had tried to rescue Joseph but it didn’t work. Far away in Egypt, Joseph’s new owners sold him to Potiphar, the captain of the guard. Even in slavery, Joseph prospered and the Lord was with him. When his master saw that the presence of Joseph was the trigger of all his blessing, “he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.” (Genesis 39:5-‬6a). The Bible doesn’t miss the details of Joseph’s physical appearance: Joseph was well-built and handsome. He probably had sixpacks, heavy muscles, about six feet, and had a face that glowed. These physical features attracted the wife of Potiphar. Since the Bible did not give her name, we will refer to her as Mrs. Potiphar. Of all the blessings that Joseph brought to the household of his master, Mrs. Potiphar only saw his body and his face. She started fantasizing about Joseph, daydreaming about what such a well-built man can offer her emotionally and ignored the fact that she was fully married to one of the powerful men in the land. 

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” (Genesis 39:6b‭-‬7)

When Mrs. Potiphar couldn’t keep her adulterous feelings to herself, she opened up to Joseph. Genesis 39:6b-7 records that “Joseph was well-built and handsome and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” Mrs. Potiphar did not care about the consequences of her action. She is the perfect description of the adulterous wife described by Solomon in Proverbs:
“This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.” (Proverbs 30:20)
“For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.” (Proverbs 5:3‭-‬6)
Joseph, a man who feared God, and with full knowledge of the consequences of such an adulterous relationship told Mrs. Potiphar, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9b). When Mrs. Potiphar saw that Joseph would not give in, she initiated plan B, to force Joseph to sleep with her. So when the opportune time came, when Joseph was all alone with her in the house “she caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.” (Genesis 39:12). The enraged and shamed woman proceeded to initiate an evil plan C. 

Mrs. Potiphar lied against Joseph and that ultimately took Joseph to Prison (see Genesis 39: 13-20). What she missed was that even in prison “the Lord was with him [Joseph]; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden” (Genesis 39:21). Joseph left the prison as a prime minister of Egypt. If Mrs. Potiphar was alive, she would have bowed to Joseph and paid him homage. The evil she cooked backfired and God turned it around for good. There are many types of  Mrs. Potiphar in our societies. Such women ignore the fact that marriage is to be kept holy. They move about as busy bodies causing aimless young men who are greedy for money to fall into their traps. Mrs. Potiphar type of women are careless and their major desire is to be satisfied in bed. They don’t understand risk and will do everything possible to have extramarital affairs. They could be married to the most powerful men in society but their insatiable sexual desires are never satisfied by their husbands. They maintain a very high standard of satisfaction and these young men are sometimes forced to take unhealthy aphrodisiacs in order to satisfy the cravings of such women. 

Dear young man, stay away from married women. Dear young woman, no married man is good for you. Don’t be a home breaker. Even if they promise you enough money and a very good lifestyle, know that they are dragging you to hell. Joseph stood the test of integrity, he suffered momentarily but was ultimately vindicated. If you fail to control your actions, your actions will drag you to a very bad place. Hell is real!