Page 37 - Advanced Life of Christ - Student Textbook

regardless of the exact date, we rejoice that He came to pay the ultimate price for our sin as our
Passover lamb. And what better time to come than the Day of Atonement!

The Birth of Jesus

Mary returns to Nazareth

Mary returned to Nazareth in her 3 to 4 month of pregnancy, at a time when it would become
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obvious that she was with child. As Joseph observed or was informed about Mary’s pregnancy, he was
prompted to “put her away” or divorce her, rather than have her stoned. Most marriages were
arranged by the parents so Mary and Joseph probably did not know each other very well, so Joseph
should not be blamed for mistrusting Mary.

The commitment of a betrothal was so legally binding that a divorce breaking that commitment was
required (1:19). Joseph had little choice. If a man’s betrothed became pregnant, people would assume
that she had regarded him as an inadequate man, and this would publicly humiliate him. It also spoke of
her lack of discretion and unwillingness to keep herself pure for her husband. Worse yet, if he did not
divorce her, people would assume that he was the father of the child, and he would bear great shame in
a culture that was obsessed with shame and honor. He would bear this shame for multiple years to
come.

Jewish law required a man to divorce a wife who had been unfaithful. Joseph could have divorced Mary
publicly in a court of justice. The court would not only establish his innocence, but also, he would get to
keep Mary’s entire dowry. By planning to divorce her privately, Joseph elected to forfeit the profit of
her dowry rather than to shame her any further.

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