And the Moral of the Story is...

"And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily." - Mat. 1:19

This is the first mention in the New Testament of a moral. But what is the moral behavior? This verse illustrates that morals are taught not simply by relaying rules. Morals are taught in narrative, implied to the audience. Often there is present an assumed understanding of the background to the story. Contemporary readers must rely on biblical commentators, dictionaries and encyclopedias to understand the background so we can listen as the first century churches heard it.

Adultery, in this case the assumed unfaithfulness by Mary betrothed to Joseph, was an offense deserving death according to the law of Moses or Torah (Dt. 22:20-21). The Torah is the first five books of our Bible. You will note that stories fill these books. There are long lists of rules and procedures, too. But morals get passed along through memorable stories about Adam, Cain, Noah and Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Aaron and Joshua. The scriptures are filled with an ongoing narrative about God's redemptive work through Israel. This narrative passes along morals.

Joseph shows mercy by not prosecuting Mary to the fullest extent of the law. The moral here being communicated to us is mercy, to withhold the punishment the crime deserves. Joseph is referred to as a "righteous man" in this verse. We may know what righteous means, but what did it mean to Matthew? Matthew is written to a Jewish Christian community. Much of his work shows how Jesus fulfills the law and the prophets. He often quotes Old Testament scripture to show how Jesus fulfills messianic prophecy and other aspects of Moses, Psalms or prophetic literature.

In this context to be righteous is to fulfill the scriptures, to be law obedient.  Righteousness is not simply keeping the letter of the law, it is producing the desired effect of law observant communities such as peace, justice and generosity. The letter of the law called for Mary's death because she had become pregnant when betrothed to Joseph. Though no one would be able to produce a witness, no court would likely accept her explanation that she had been impregnated by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, though heartbroken, decided to divorce her quietly without dragging her before the rulers of the synagogue or elders of the city.

This speaks volumes to the kind of ministry their son, Jesus, will have. He will be at odds with those keepers of the letter of the law who weigh people down. They strain a gnat, but swallow a camel whole (Mat. 23:4, 24). They do not accept Jesus' interpretation of law. An excellent example is His healing of persons on the sabbath. The Pharisees taught that healing on the Sabbath was against the command to cease all work on that day. Jesus told them if their sheep fell in a pit on the Sabbath, they would work to rescue the animal. How much more then should people bound by illness be rescued (Mat. 12:9-12)?  Jesus will choose mercy over judgment again and again.  His brother James wrote, " Mercy triumphs over judgment (Jms. 2:13b)."

There is a spirit to the law that legal writ cannot adequately communicate in every instance. That is why we keep making law upon law to cover every loophole that presents itself. But the spirit of justice, righteousness and mercy knows intuitively how to behave in most situations. Difficult moral decisions call for a lengthier period of discernment which is best carried out in community.

Morality then is not simply rule following. In the New Testament it is following the example of Jesus, becoming as He is.

As we study the New Testament we will find rules, commands and exhortations given directly like "love your enemies."  But we will also find morality implied through story and dialogue.  Keep your spiritual ears open and listen for the moral of the story.

Lord, help us to pursue righteousness as Joseph did. Give us ears to hear You and hearts to obey You. in Your powerful name. Amen