HE PROTECTED, HE PROVIDED, HE PERSEVERED
also find that “Jesus went on progressing in wisdom and in physical growth and in favor with God and men.” (Read Luke 2:51, 52.) What do those words reveal about Joseph? Several things. We learn that Joseph continued taking the lead in his household, for his perfect son respected his father’s authority and remained in subjection to it. 29 We further learn that Jesus continued to grow in wisdom. Joseph surely had much to do with his son’s progress in that regard. In those days, there was a time-honored proverb among the Jews. It can still be found and read today. The saying asserts that only men of leisure can become truly wise, whereas tradesmen, such as carpenters, farmers, and blacksmiths, “cannot declare justice and judgment; and they shall not be found where parables are spoken.” Later, Jesus exposed the emptiness of that proverb. As a boy, how often he had heard his adoptive father, humble carpenter though he was, teach effectively about Jehovah’s “justice and judgment”! No doubt, there were countless occasions. 30 We can also see evidence of Joseph’s influence in Jesus’ physical growth. A well-cared-for boy, Jesus grew into a strong, healthy man. Further, Joseph trained his son to be skilled at his physical work. Jesus was known not only as the carpenter’s son but also as “the carpenter.” (Mark 6:3) So Joseph’s training was successful. Family heads wisely imitate Joseph, caring for the practical well-being of their children and ensuring that they can support themselves. 31 Once we reach the point in the Bible record where Jesus is baptized at about the age of 30, we find that Joseph is no longer part of the story. Evidence suggests that Mary was a widow by the time Jesus began his ministry. (See the box “When Did TO THINK ABOUT . . . Joseph Die?”) Yet, Joseph left a clear mark ˙ In what ways did Joseph act to protect —a shining example of a father who prohis family? tected his family, provided for them, and persevered faithfully to the end. Any fa˙ How did Joseph provide for those who ther, any family head, or any other Chriswere his own? tian would do well to imitate the faith of ˙ What shows that Joseph persevered in Joseph. his God-given assignment? ˙ In what ways would you like to imi30. How did Joseph set an example for family heads today? tate the example of Joseph? 31. (a) What does evidence suggest regarding the end of Joseph’s life? (Include the box.) (b) What example did Joseph leave for us to imitate?
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