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NASB | Matthew 1:19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 1:19 And Joseph her [promised] husband, being a just and righteous man and not wanting to expose her publicly to shame, planned to send her away and divorce her quietly. |
Bible Question: In Hebrew culture, did a man and woman live together under the same roof during their betrothal period? In other words, were Mary and Joseph living under the same roof before they were officially married? My professor at school believes that they were probably living together, but he also said that betrothed couples weren't allowed to have sex until the marriage was official. This doesn't make sense. The Christian community condemns unmarried couples living together because it encourages sex. However, my professor said that the temptation to have sex back in Mary and Joseph's day was not as relevant because there was no birth control. Thus if you had sex, you got pregnant. I am extremely confused. I don't know about ancient Hebrew culture as well as I should, but is there any evidence for my professor's statement? |
Bible Answer: Hi, KraZ4myKing! I think that part of the problem you, and most every other Christian, are having is that you are viewing ancient Hebrews through today's morally bankrupt standards! Not only is there a cultural difference among the Israelites of Jesus' time's, today's Israelites, and the rest of the world, but the devotion and conviction of people such as Joseph and Mary to Yahweh demolishes all of our preconceptions about worship, sex, marriage, family and extended family... not only were the betrothed couple obligated to their parents' authority but they also had to answer to the community at large! Marriages were arrenged withing the tribes and clans but once made official the whole community were part of the celebration... the couple may not have even had much time to "get to know" each other--specially in rural areas... Though Scripture does not reveal much about the actual ceremonies, we know that there was a preocupation with witnessing, if only after the fact, the consummation of the marriage--much could be lost if the husband would accuse the wife of being unfaithful during their betrothal period and the wife could not prove her innocence! Scripture tells us that when Joseph found out about Mary's pregnancy he decided to leave town in (most probably during the darkest night) secrecy. Why? Joseph, as attested by Scripture, was a just man (translation a pious believer) who, after weighing the consequences of denouncing Mary's pregnancy, opted to protect her and the unborn child by sneaking out of town... in this manner the town's people would conclude that Joseph took advantage of Mary during their betrothal period and then abandoned her: he would be known as a wretched and wicked man who deserted his "wife" and child; while, Mary and the child would escape the terrible punishment of death by stoning, at the hands of the town's people, and would be treated with empathy and kindness. Did the people of Israel commit the same acts (culturally and morally) as the rest of the nations around them? It is evident that they did! But within Israel there is God's Remnant, those Israelites who adhere (as the old Hebrew National hot dogs on the commercials) to a Higher Authority! At the incarnation of the Word, we meet several of these pios servants of the Almighty, Mary and Joseph included. Sadly, humanity is so intent in demystifying Scripture and the prophecies included within, that we contort reason, warp understanding, and blind intellect in an effort to twist God's Word, as the Serpent in Paradise, to match our finite wisdom and our corrupt principles! Jesus was very clear on this issue... that is why He warned that we cannot serve two masters! Do not allow your professor's intellectual accomplishments dissuade you from the Truth: The Word is God (John 1:1-14), and for our sake He became man (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), so that those who Believe in Him would have eternal Life (John 11:25-26)... this Jesus (the Emmanuel: God-among-us), did not have a human origin as the rest of His brethren, He was born of the Virgen Mary by the Power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38); hence, at the age of twelve He was found at the Temple perplexing the Masters of the Law and when questioned about His disappearence He revealed a small bit of information by relating to Mary and Joseph that He was to involve Himself in God's Business! (Luke 2:42-50) Please, guard yourself against the doctrines of the world... the best way to do this is prayer and Bible study! God Bless! Angel |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Matt 1:19 | Author | ||
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spinbad | ||
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Searcher56 | ||
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Searcher56 | ||
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wleman | ||
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Rogue_PBG | ||
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schimc | ||
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KraZ4myKing | ||
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MJH | ||
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JCrichton | ||
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judeo |