Matthew 1:18-20

A just man.

An honest man’s dilemma

I. That troubles are irrespective of character.

II. That the mental perplexities of the good arise often from the want of insight into the divine movements. The cycles of God’s providence are too vast for our limited capacities.

III. That God graciously removes the honest scruples of the righteous. Joseph’s mental difficulties were removed

(1) By an angelic communication;

(2) By revealing the dignity of Christ’s birth;

(3) By showing the nature of His mission. Jesus was the only man born with special mission in reference to sin.

IV. That this mysterious conception and noble birth came to pass in accordance with prophetic prediction (Isaiah 7:14).

V. Joseph’s belief in the angelic communication, and obedience to the divine command. Faith essential to willing and unreserved obedience, and to the removal of mental difficulties. (W. Edwards.)

Joseph

1. His natural suspicion.

2. His merciful determination.

3. We need the tempering of justice with mercy, and mercy with justice. (R. Ward.)

Nothing so clearly discovers a spiritual man as his treatment of an erring brother. (Augustine.)