emmaus Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 If she wasn't stoned Mary's options would have been to live with her family, hurting her family's reputation and she and the baby being shunned, being a housekeeper or a prostitute never to marry again. Joseph's actions showed a man of integrity and discretion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaz6 Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? She didn't have many options really except to trust thet God would look after her like he said. Joseph's character was that of a righteous man but not full of himself. Someone guys should be more like today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patsy Laycoax Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Mary's only options were for her Father to let her stay with the family or to get a job as housekeeper for a wealthy family or prostitution. Joseph showed a very kind and loving character to divorce Mary quietly and leniently. After all he was very hurt and disappointed in Mary. He was a righteous man but he showed Mary mercy by handling the divorce in this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loisb Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? 1. Mary's options were limited. She didn't have a husband, so she would have been an outcast. She could have been stoned, or put out by her family, or put out of the city and become a prostitute. 2. Joseph was a righteous man and wanted to do the honorable thing, but he was also thinking about his own reputation. Because he was a good man, he did do the right thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda bass Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 The options Mary had for being pregnant with a baby that wasn't her husband's were few. She could be stoned as an adultaress at the worst, at best her family would allow her to continue to live at home, yet she and her out of wedlock child would be shunned by the community. She wouldn't be allowed to marry Joseph and no other upstanding man would ever marry her. By deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently, Joseph showed a character of gentleness and maturity. He loved Mary enough not to want to expose her to public disgrace. He was honorable and wanted to do the right thing toward Mary, not just what the law said he should do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAJU Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Mary 's options were very limited - It is here where God provides the way out . Joseph was a just and righteous man , and was concerned about keeping his integrity intact and hencekept awy from Mary , but yet did not utterly disown her publicly for fear that she would be stoned to death . Joseph behaved very mature and sensible after hearing God s call Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindajellis57 Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 Mary had no options, her fate was stoning or to be shunned. Joseph was a righteous, honorable man who only wished to do the right thing quietly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindajellis57 Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 Mary had no options, her fate was stoning or to be shunned. Joseph was a righteous, honorable man who only wished to do the right thing quietly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelOnLine Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? She could be rejected by her husband, shunned by her family and friends, or even stoned, What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? He showed what a righteous man he was, by choosing to divorce her instead of subjecting her to public disgrace and scorn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helena Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helena Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 I agree! Who knows how long they struggled before giving the right answers? All of us us are human and have our weaknesses. Let us be like Mary and Joseph, having our hearts right (the Lord knows!), and trusting in guidance--in their case, the visit of an angel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaitlin Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 Mary's options did look rather bleak from a human standpoint, but her trust and faith in God is definately eveident throughout the account. Joseph exhibits a humbling amount of character in this. We don't know to what extent this was an arranged marriage, or to what extent they actually loved each other, yet whether or not Joseph was driven more by his own reputation or his love for Mary, Joseph shows his maturity and determination to do right, even in a very difficult situation. In Joseph's decision to divorce Mary, he demonstrates his determination to place his comitment to God and what he believed God would see as the right thing to do ahead of everything else, including his relationship with Mary. In his decision to divorce her quietly, Joseph demonstrates a love for mercy. He could have easily gotten revenge on Mary for her supposed unfaithfulness by having a public stoning, yet his heart is full of forgiveness. We cannot say that Joseph is competely selfless in this, because he still put his own reputation above Mary, but while preserving his reputation, he was doing as much as he could for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? I don't believe she had any options, she was a believer in thepromises of God and His angle had toldher to not fear. She had answered in favor of doing God's will therfore she had madeher chose and theonly thing left was to trust that God had her best intrests already planned. He only option was to trust God. He showed that He also was a God fearing man and true believer that he chose to do God's will above his own desire. He chose to put her away quitely showing compassion and mercy that only comes from a true love of God. He had a spirit that only the Holy Spirit can give to love even when our minds tell us to strike out at the ones who hurt us. Joseph chose to allow God His place in judging not takeing it apon himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sahala p.s. Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's were first, her betrothed husband would reject and divorce her; second, she would be stoned; third, she would live at home if her family allowed, but she and her ******* baby would be shunned, fourth, she would remarriage but not with standing man; and the last, she would go no where, live alone by getting a work as a housekeeper. The kind of character that Joseph exhibited by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently is the character that pertain to be interested in doing the right thing, honorable, just, good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurselaino Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Mary herself had very few options. Women at this time did not have the options we do. She was not able to leave her family and live on her own as this was not acceptable. She could have the baby and have her family most likely shun her and the child. She probably would never be able to marry as no man would accept her. The man she was to marry would probably reject her as the baby was not his and at worse she could be put to death by stoning Joseph showed us that he was a kind and rightous man. He did not want Mary to have to make a decision that might cost her her life. He was a man who wanted to do the right thing in all ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia A Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Mary's options were not positive ones. She would probably be shunned by her family and the baby would also receive the same treatment. It was unheard of at that time for a woman to go out to live on her own after having a baby. Being with child out of wedlock could possibly lead to death by stoning. Joseph showed character and his desire to be a man of righteous who desired to do what was right. He cared about Mary and did not want her and the baby to be in danger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordwoman Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Scripture tells us that Joseph was a righteous man, and because of this quality, he had decided to divorce Mary quietly and leniently...this so to not draw attention to her and bring her dishonor and disgrace. Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a child as an unmarried woman were the same as they are today for an unwed mother -- TRUST GOD IN ALL THINGS. The world offered her no options. But our Great and Gracious God sent His angel...and we all know the rest of the story... Amen...! Lord, you always come through...yet once again...a ram in the thicket...Jehovah Jireh -- Our Provider...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? None that were appealing or positive. She couldn't live alone as a single woman, since family supported women, unless she became a prostitute or a servant for a wealthy woman. If Joseph divorced her, she would stay with her family but would be shunned...she and the child. Her family would be disgraced, and the law provided for her to be stoned to death. Short of that, no one would ever marry her with the stigma of having committed adultery. She really had no options BUT to trust God with her "gift" and His arrival at a safe birth...to believe that what the angel had told her would come to pass and that God would not leave her alone to face those consequences. My experience with an "at risk" promise, is that though the judging, ridicule, shunning, losses, confusion as to how He will fulfill it come, and though it tarries, He is absolutely faithful to fulfill His Word, and has taken care of every need, and with great blessing and tenderness. He continues to provide encouragement and support and the reassurance that it is on the way. What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Joseph was a righteous man, a mature and good man, with a kind heart. An observer of the law, with strong character. (Thank you Lord for choosing this kind of man to rear Your Son!) He could have prosecuted her as an adultress and exposed her to public censure, but decided to be lenient and kind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah43 Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Mary did not have many options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's. At best, she would be shunned. She could even have been killed. Her only option is to trust in the Lord. By deciding to divorce her quietly and leniently, Joseph is protecting her. He shows his character by his decision, that of a gentle and compassionate man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickJW Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Mary had few, if any options, and was, in fact, in great danger - it would have been quite legal for her to be stoned to death in this situation. Joseph shows great compassion first in his plan to divorce her quietly - in his mind she could possibly live out her life with her family, although she most likely would never marry, and would have the stigma of this child to deal with. With the visitation of the angel, Joseph shows great faith and agrees to raise God's child. Even though they will now go through with their marriage plans, Joseph and Mary will certainly be viewed as a couple that 'had' to get married. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyanne Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 As a woman of the time, Mary had very limited options. She would be judged harshly and condemned for her supposed immoral behavior. Due to public opinion, even her own family would not be able to help her. Joseph showed his extreme kindness in his initial reaction to divorce her quietly. I am sure he felt betrayed and embarrased, but he did not punish Mary for it. When God revealed His plan to Joseph, he did not argue or question. He was a man of great faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yvy Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Mary's life could have taken a few turns. She could have been stoned, or at the least, shunned. She could have run away to another city, but in her time, this wasn't even a real option as it was not the custom for single women to be living on their own. Women were to be living and helping with their own family until they began to grow a family of their own with their husbands. Joseph's decision to divorce her quietly shows to us that he was a mature, noble and gentle man who did not want to ruin Mary's reputation. It shows the great love he had for her even though he suspected adultery, and he demonstrates the love and respect that should be found in all marraiges - and this example of love took place 2000+ years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherlynn Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Mary's only other options were living with her parents, becoming a house servant, or a prostitute. Joseph showed trust in his God, mercy, and love for Mary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewell Posted December 21, 2008 Report Share Posted December 21, 2008 Mary really had no options - the two "careers" open to her, housekeeping for a rich family or prostitution, would both be limited by her condition. Joseph's character exhibited kindness and a caring for another human being regardless of their circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
servant for Christ Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Mary's option's were very grim. Her husband would divorce her, she could be stoned, she could be shunned, and she would not be able to remarry again. The character that Joseph showed was of a mature and gentle man that wanted to do the right thing and not to hurt Mary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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