Mary And Joseph Were Engaged For A Year Before Marrying
In ancient Judea, betrothal was equivalent to marriage, and it could only be canceled through a divorce. Joseph and Mary were not legally married for a year, during which they were barred from marrying. This traditional engagement or “cooling off” phase, it seemed, provided time for planning. However, as actor Woody Allen is quoted as saying, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” That is, Joseph and Mary’s marriage was only a few months old when it fell apart. According to the Bible, Mary became pregnant and Joseph was not the father. Furthermore, her cover tale about God being the father was unconvincing.
Mary And Joseph Were Engaged For A Year Before Marrying
An Angel May Have Persuaded Joseph Reconsider Breaking Up With Mary
Mary’s unforeseen pregnancy would have been a source of embarrassment rather than joy. Bride prices had been decided upon, and wedding preparations were well underway, therefore her infidelity most likely strained relations between both families. Joseph, as the final decision-maker in the betrothal, would have been under enormous pressure to divorce her. According to the Book of Matthew, that is exactly what he decided to do. But everything changed when a “angel of the Lord” appeared in Joseph’s dream. According to the apostle Matthew, an angel informed him that Mary was pregnant with God’s son, the latter of whom was a great spiritual leader who would one day “save his people from their sins.” As a result, Joseph had no choice but to “take Mary as his wife.”
An Angel May Have Persuaded Joseph Reconsider Breaking Up With Mary
