The Four Dreams Of Joseph
No. 700
Introduction.
I. This evening I would like for us to study Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, and “The Four Dreams of Joseph.”
II. The Bible gives us very little information about Joseph. He is described as “a righteous man .” He was a
carpenter by trade. He was of the linage of David through Abraham. He was from Nazareth in Galilee. He was
betrothed to Mary.
I. First Dream – The first dream of Joseph is recorded in Matthew the first chapter.
A. Matthew records.
MAT 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to
Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her
husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, desired to put her away secretly. 20 But
when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of
David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy
Spirit. 21 “And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people
from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be
fulfilled, saying, 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name
Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” 24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel
of the Lord commanded him, and took her as his wife, 25 and kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son;
and he called His name Jesus.
B. Matthew tells us here that Joseph and Mary were betrothed. Joseph upon learning of the pregnancy of Mary
concluded she had been unfaithful. This would be a natural conclusion. There had never been a virgin birth
before this time nor has there been one since the birth of Jesus. I believe all would, therefore, conclude their
was a human father. What other explanation could there be?
C. The angel assured Joseph the child in Mary “had been conceived in her of the Holy Spirit.”1
1. He also assured Joseph that the child would save His people from their sins. He would be “Immanuel”
meaning “God with us.” He was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14 that a virgin
would have a son.2. Joseph believed the angel and married Mary and kept her as a virgin until after the birth of Jesus.
D. We have in this account several powerful arguments for the virgin of Jesus.
1. First, there is the prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14.
a. This prophecy was made more than 700 years before the birth of Christ.
b. It clearly states the Messiah would be born of a “virgin.”
c. Matthew translate the Hebrew word “almah” with the Greek word “parthenos” showing a virgin
birth was prophesied.
2. Second, there is the inspired dream of Joseph. Matthew records an angel appeared to him in a dream.
3. Third, there is the confidence of Joseph. He believed the explanation of the angel and married Mary.
There is no evidence he ever doubted the virgin birth of Jesus.
E. We might pause for a moment to talk about the importance of the virgin birth.
1. Some do not understand the significance, and make no big deal about it or even scoff it.
2. The virgin birth is very important. Christianity stands or falls with it. If Jesus were not the Son of God
and only the son of Joseph or some unknown man, then He was an imposter. He was not the Son of God.
He was not Immanuel. He was not the Savior of the world. The cross means nothing and we are still
lost in our sins. You can see the importance of this great doctrine.
II. Second Dream – The second dream of Joseph is recorded in Matthew the second chapter.
A. Relate the information given in Matthew 2:1-12.
B. Matthew records.
MAT 2:13 Now when they [the wise men] had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a
dream, saying, “Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you;
for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”
C. Matthew tells us that Joseph believed the angel.
1. He and Mary fled with Jesus into Egypt. They remained there until the death of Herod the great. All of
this was to fulfill the prophecy found in Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt did I call my son.”
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2. Historically Israel was the “son” and these words referred to God calling Israel out of Egypt.
a. These words referred to the exodus out of Egypt.
b. God overcame the Pharoah and led His “Son” (His children) out of Egyptian and oppression and
slavery.
3. Matthew affirms, by inspiration, that this statement was also a prophecy. It was a prophecy of the fact that
God’s beloved Son would be called out of Egypt.
III. Third Dream – The third dream of Joseph is recorded in the latter part of Matthew the second chapter.
A. Relate events leading up to the dream. (Matt. 2:16-18).
B. Matthew records
MAT 2:19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
saying, 20 “Arise and take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the
Child’s life are dead.”
C. Joseph arose and took Jesus and Mary out of Egypt into the land of Israel, that is, Canaan.
1. He heard that the wicked, ruthless Archelaus was ruling over Judea in the place of his father. He was afraid
to return to Judea. This would mean death for Jesus and possibly for he and Mary.
2. Now through the providence and foreknowledge of God, it would be safe for Joseph and his family to
return to the northern part of “the land of Israel” (Palestine).
IV. Fourth Dream – This brings us to the fourth dream of Joseph.
A. God warned him in a dream not to go to Judea. (Matt. 2:22).
B. He withdrew into the parts of Galilee and dwelt in the city of Nazareth. (Matt. 2:23).
C. All of this was to fulfill what had been spoken by the prophets that “he could be called a Nazarene.” (Matt.
2:23).
1. There is not a specific mention of Jesus being a Nazarene in any Old Testament scripture.
2. The term “Nazarene” was a name given to those who lived in Nazareth. It was a placed that was
despised because of its mixed population and lack of education.
3. The Old Testament foretold that Jesus would be despised and rejected by men (Isa. 53:3).
a. In this sense it could be said “he should be called a Nazarene,” that is, one despised.
b. Later Christians were falsely called “Nazarenes” by their enemies who assumed Jesus was a false
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Messiah because He was from Nazareth. (Acts 24:5).
c. They were ignorant of the fact or chose to ignore that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in
fulfillment of Micah’s prophecy. (Mic. 5:2).
Conclusion.
I. Yes, Joseph was a great man who had four dreams from God. He always without hesitation obeyed the message
given to him from God. There is never a criticism of this righteous man.
II. The Bible tells us that he and Mary reared Jesus in Nazareth.
A. Joseph was only the legal father of Jesus, but after the birth of Jesus they came together as husband and wife
and had 4 sons and at least two daughters.
B. The Bible does not tell us what happened to Joseph. He ceases to be mentioned during the ministry of Christ.
It is speculated that he probably died. The Bible does not record his death nor does it record the death of
Mary.
III. As we close this lesson, it is vital that we take our eyes off of Joseph and focus our eyes only on Jesus who is
God’s beloved Son and the Savior of the world.
A. Christ came this world to save us from our sins. He will save us if we will trust and obey Him.
B. Come and confess your faith in Christ. Turn from your sins. Be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins.
God will then wash away your sins with the blood of Christ. He will add you to the church and bless you.
Come as we stand and sing.
This article originally found here.
