God’s Family: Joseph Son of David (Matthew 1:17-25)

Introduction

Matthew’s genealogy prompts listeners to think about family legacy, reputation, and spiritual lineage. Just as we may judge someone by their family’s reputation, Matthew opens with Jesus’ lineage to show both the brokenness and faithfulness found in God’s people.
He highlights deeply flawed individuals.  There are high performers and not-so-high performers.

Matthew shows us that God works through an imperfect line and people to bring about the Messiah. The discouraging side of the genealogy reminds us that sin runs through human history since the fall.  However, the encouraging truth is that God knows the family he needs to redeem.

Who Is Joseph?

Joseph enters the narrative at the hinge between Israel’s history and Christ’s birth. His name itself recalls the patriarch Joseph, the son of Jacob.  He recalls a very broken history.

Joseph was betrayed, cast down, and yet exalted for the preservation of God’s people.  Joseph’s predicament is a result of his brothers, who sold him into slavery.  He was sold because of the rivalry that raged in Jacob/Israel’s house.

We recall the tragedy of Jacob’s story, but the Lord does not give up on his people.  Joseph, in Matthew’s story,  also plays his role in the covenant story.  He is the unsung hero.  He is righteous and seeks to do what is right to honor the Lord.

God’s story of redemption continues through generations, proving that His purposes never depend on perfect people but on His steadfast covenant faithfulness.

How Is Joseph the Son of David?

The genealogy reveals Joseph’s descent from David’s royal line.  It is not through biological perfection, but through God’s covenant promise. The angel addresses him deliberately as “Joseph, son of David,” affirming his role as the legal father of Jesus.  The Lord vowed that the Lord would build David’s house forever (2 Samuel 7). Joseph testifies that God kept his promise.

Matthew arranges his genealogy in three sets of fourteen generations.  This assures us that  God’s deliberate design, from David to Jeconiah, from exile to restoration, climaxing in Christ, the “seventh seven,” is God’s plan.  God has been with his people every season.

Joseph’s righteousness is not defined by faultless moral performance but by his desire to discern what is pleasing to God. When he wrestles with anger, betrayal, and uncertainty, he displays righteousness by seeking to honor God’s will rather than his own emotions.

The faithfulness of David’s line, despite its failures, reaches fulfillment in Christ’s advent.  Joseph assures us that God’s people will bear fruit of their redeemer’s power. God will prevail despite his people.

Why Is This Marriage So Important?

Here lies the crisis of the narrative: God’s redemptive plan seems fragile, hinging on whether Joseph will trust the messenger’s word and take Mary as his wife. If Joseph fails to take her, then God’s plan falls flat. The messiah did not come through the line of Judah and David’s line.

Joseph takes Mary as his wife and names the child Jesus, acknowledging Him as his legal son. Joseph secures Christ’s standing in the Davidic line. His naming Jesus, Yahweh Saves, shows his submission to God’s plan.  Joseph embraces public shame by taking Mary as his wife. Joseph forfeits his paternal right by naming the child Jesus. Truly, Jesus is God’s Son. Joseph submits to God’s plan. This is why Joseph is a righteous man. He seeks to do what pleases the Lord by walking humbly before our God. (Micah 6:5)

Conclusion

Matthew’s account calls us to contemplate the beauty of divine sovereignty expressed through frail humanity. God entrusts His promises not to the powerful or perfect but to those who wait upon the Lord.  The ones who believe the promises of God.  The ones who seek to please their God as live out of gratitude.

Joseph’s story teaches that righteousness is not about mastery of the law but humble trust in God’s redemptive plan.

The genealogy of Christ tells us one thing: God triumphs over human sin and carries His covenant promises despite every human failure.

Through Emmanuel, “God with us,” the fractured family of humanity becomes redeemed and restored. Just as Joseph obeyed in faith, we too abide in confidence that God’s promises will never fall flat.  He saves His people from their sins, fulfills His covenant, and draws us into His eternal family.  Let think about the joy of being called into God’s family.