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Earthly Joseph not around much ??

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by fatbacker, Oct 29, 2005.

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  1. fatbacker

    fatbacker New Member

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    I have always wondered since I have been reading my bible why Joseph, Jesus's earthly father is only mentioned in the first part of Jesus's young life. I have often wondered why they never go into much detail about him since he was a mentor to his Son and appears that Jesus took on His fathers trade as a carpenter. I would like to hear some possible reasons why he basically just dropped out of the picture.
    I have over the years drawn some of my own conclusions but would like to hear more.
     
    #1 fatbacker, Oct 29, 2005
  2. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    I have always assumed that he had died sometime before Jesus' Ministry began. I have based that assumption on the fact that Jesus basically told John to care for Mary. If Joseph was alive, why did Jesus say that to John. I maybe wrong of course.
     
    #2 tinytim, Oct 29, 2005
  3. Helen

    Helen <img src =/Helen2.gif>

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    I can only appeal to extra-biblical sources here and tradition, but they say that yes, Joseph died while Jesus was in his teens and his paternal care was taken over by his uncle, Mary's brother, Joseph of Aramathea. This is recorded in the Talmud and in the notes of the Sanhedrin.
     
    #3 Helen, Oct 29, 2005
  4. Martin

    Martin Active Member

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    ==I agree totally with Tim and Helen. It is likely that Joseph died before the start of Jesus' public ministry. This seems to be the position that is held by most Bible teachers/scholars.

    Martin.
     
    #4 Martin, Oct 29, 2005
  5. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Agreed with everyone.

    Important people in our lives die sometimes. Jesus lost people, too. He was no different.

    And Joseph's untimely death doesn't diminish his important role and what we learned from him.

    He was a very compassionate man. He wanted to "put Mary away quietly" when he thought that she had been with another man. He did not want her embarrassed or harmed. He was thinking of her needs even though in his mind at the time, he was the one who was wronged.

    He was an obedient man. When the angel appeared to him in a dream and said, "This is what God wants for you life", he got up a did it. No whining, no mumbling, no grumbling. He just obeyed God's call on his life even though he knew that it would not be easy. Just because he married Mary didn't mean that SOME people would believe her story.

    Jesus experienced life as a human. And some humans lose their parents far too early. Jesus did. It was just part of the life that Jesus experienced.

    Jesus had friends and enemies. He experienced laughter and tears. He had loved ones to die. He went to the weddings of his friends. He had an earthly job as well as a heavenly calling.

    Jesus losing his earthly father doesn't have any hidden cosmic meaning. It was just part of the normal human life that he lived.

    Peace-
    Scarlett O.
    &lt;&gt;&lt;
     
    #5 Scarlett O., Oct 29, 2005
  6. fatbacker

    fatbacker New Member

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    It has always been in the back of my mind that God had never intended Joseph to be around the whole time. I believe God wanted us to focus on the relationship between God and Jesus and not read to much into the relationship between Jesus and Joseph. It would be really easy for people to draw more out of the earthly relationship than God would want us too.

    I can only began to imagine what kind of religions could have been started with Joseph around from the begginging to the end of Jesus's life. I am pretty sure there would be some churches that could run with it much like we do with Mary.
     
    #6 fatbacker, Oct 29, 2005
  7. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    Bear in mind that the culture of the day was significantly different to what it is today, and life expectancies were alot less than today. Mary was most likely 16 when she married Joseph, who was likely well into his 30's at the time.
     
    #7 Ben W, Oct 29, 2005
  8. TexasSky

    TexasSky Guest

    I agree with Helen and Tim - that said, however - I think that there would be very strong biblical reasons to leave details about Joseph out of the story.

    The entire plan of salvation hinges on the fact that Christ is the son of God. If too much discussion is made of the earthly man who helped raise Him, the importance of His place as God's son dims.
     
    #8 TexasSky, Oct 29, 2005
  9. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    Good point fatbacker, I know of some groups that actually venerate John the Baptist over Christ, so you can just imagine where that might go with mythology and suppositon on Joseph!
     
    #9 Ben W, Oct 30, 2005
  10. Brother Ian

    Brother Ian Active Member

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    Amen. Often our earthly fathers die, but that does not minimize the tremendous impact our fathers have on us.
     
    #10 Brother Ian, Nov 1, 2005
  11. robycop3

    robycop3 Well-Known Member
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    I tend to agree. According to Scripture, Mary had at least 6 other children after Jesus, and since Joseph of Arimathea was wealthy, he coulda supported the family till those children came of age.
     
    #11 robycop3, Nov 1, 2005
  12. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    The biggest reason is probably because it wasn't pertinent to the accounts the gospel writers were trying to tell us. If you look at Mary's role, it's not mentioned all that much either, but that doesn't mean she wasn't prevalent in Jesus' life.

    My personal opinion is that Joseph probably died prior to Jesus beginning his ministry (the Talmud references this). But that's sheer speculation at best, based on the lack of mention in the latter part of the gospels. If he did die, I'm curious as to why this fact was not mentioned by the gospel writers.

    I agree with Scarlett who said Joseph's untimely death doesn't diminish his important role and what we learned from him. As a father and husband myself, I find great relevance in that.
     
    #12 Johnv, Nov 1, 2005
  13. 4study

    4study New Member

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    Jospeh's biography is unimportant to the purpose of the scriptures. How would it help us to know God better to know more about Joseph?
     
    #13 4study, Nov 1, 2005
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