Read Inside- Mary and Joseph
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Mary and JosephMary and Joseph
by
Glenda C. Finkelstein
In the province of Galilee there was an ordinary town called Nazareth situated about five miles west of Mount Tabor. It did not boast of great wealth or people. It was a simple town not unlike any other in Judea. Rome, Judea??s conquering government, was present at every turn. Every aspect of their lives was a reminder that they were no longer in control of their own destiny. Their intolerance of the pagan people that ruled them was becoming increasingly apparent. Yet, for all of the political and social upheaval life went on pretty much as it always did. The buyers and sellers in the market place haggling over prices were never more noisy or bustling. Men and women were still giving themselves to each other in marriage. Children were still being born and taught the laws of the God of Abraham and their Fathers. These days, however, God seemed so very silent and deaf as if he did not hear their prayers for a Messiah.
It was in this atmosphere of expectancy and stubbornness to remain faithful to their God in the face of their excessive lustful conquerors, that the most fantastic miracle took place. It was not the parting of the red sea. This event would be more powerful than any miracle before it. It would part the soul of every human that ever lived or would live on this planet. It did not take place in one night, but would unfold over a single life time. Upon the lives of two simple ordinary people, whose only favor was in their obedience and willingness to do the will of their God, the salvation of the world would rest.
On a Friday afternoon we find a beautiful young woman, who was still more girl than woman, hurrying to the market place to buy oil for her virgin??s lamp. She did not want to run out over the Sabbath. Her name was Mary, the daughter of Eli. She was the promised bride of Joseph, the son of Jacob. At this point the contract of the dowry was complete, and the ceremony of the promise was also finished. The completion, however, had not yet come. During this time of waiting Joseph was preparing their home. Before he could take her home and consummate the marriage, he had to finish both his home and the room attached to his father??s house where the wedding feast would take place.
During this time of waiting between the promise and the completion the virgin would keep a lamp lit in her room at night. They did this so that when the groom was ready he could find her and steel her away in the night. When the family would come to wake their daughter to find her and the lamp gone, they would know to join the wedding feast at her father-in-law??s house.
Mary was overjoyed with excitement because her father had told her that the roof of her future home was nearly complete. She knew it would only be a matter of weeks now. It had already been a long ten months, but her father told her it would be worth the wait for it was the finest house he had ever seen. Joseph was a carpenter by trade, and his skill was even greater than his father Jacob??s. The knowledge of his skill was beginning to travel to the neighboring towns such as Cana. Orders were starting to grow. She knew that he would provide well for her. They would not be rich, but they would not want for anything.
Mary herself was a beautiful girl with a gentle spirit. She moved with the same grace as a gazelle. Her heart was pure, and kept the law of God in her heart and not just in her mind. Eli was very proud of his daughter. She was skilled in weaving, and cooking. She had never caused him any shame or embarrassment. Trust and respect were her honor-able clothing. Her wisdom and hunger for the things of God made him most proud. He knew without a doubt that she would make a fine wife and mother.
She arrived at the market where the widow, Deborah, and her sister Naomi sold lamp oil. They were a colorful pair whose antics always made Mary laugh. Both were elderly, but still spry and full of energy. Mary could not recall a time that they had agreed upon any point. Any other sisters would have split apart, but their opposite view points seemed to be more of an orchestrated harmony rather than discourse. Still it was never dull to be around them.
??You are late,? Deborah confronted Mary.
??Yes, I know,? Mary admitted trying to catch her breath. She removed the clay jar from her head where she had kept it balanced during her journey to the market. She laid it carefully on the table so Deborah could fill it with lamp oil.
??Must you always start out insulting our customers?? Naomi complained to Deborah.
??It is not an insult. It is the truth, isn??t it Mary?? Deborah asked. Mary started to answer, but was cut off mid-sentence. ??She is always here in the morning, but today it is way past the noon hour,? Deborah explained and started to pour the oil, but Naomi had to have the last word.
??Yes, and you had better pour her some oil before the sunsets. The Sabbath begins at sunset,? Naomi informed.
??I know what time the Sabbath begins,? Deborah defended as she stopped pouring the lamp oil. ??I may be older than you, but I am not senile.?
??Just serve the girl.?
??So what makes you so late today?? Deborah asked Mary. Naomi sighed a sigh of frustration and began to help another customer.
??I was speaking with my father. He told me that Joseph is putting the roof on our house today.?
??That is wonderful. It won??t be long now before your love will come steel you away in the night. I will never forget that night with my Nathan. He accidentally knocked over a vase. He woke the entire house. He was so embarrassed that he dropped me, and left without me.?
??How terrible!? Mary exclaimed horrified.
??It wasn??t terrible, but humility was never difficult for him after that. He came back the next night. My mother made sure that nothing breakable was left out. She didn??t want to scare him away again. That next night though was wonderful. I know that it will be just as wonderful for you.?
??Part of me is excited and part of me is a little scared,? Mary admitted.
??Don??t be, your Joseph loves you. I can see it in his eyes. There is a compassion that is gentle and caring harbored inside his gaze. Your marriage will be very special and nothing about it will scare you when he comes for you.?
??Will you please pour her oil, I have waited on three customers and you have not even completed your business with one,? Naomi complained.
??I am talking with my friend, Mary,? Deborah defended.
??Talk after business.?
??I should get going. I do not want to be out after sunset,? Mary admitted. Deborah finally finished pouring the lamp oil. Before they completed their business, however, the sound of drums in cadence startled them. The clanking of Roman armor pierced the air as a column of troops marched through the market place. Their marching easily overwhelmed the noise of the market. The crowd of people parted making way for the troops to pass. Mary turned her face and stood as close to Deborah as she could looking down not wanting to entreat the gaze of any Roman soldier. The business of the market stopped as all eyes followed the marching soldiers until they had gone out of sight. Once they had passed by, the sounds of the market returned. Mary shuttered at the thought of so many soldiers in Nazareth. They held such authority, and seemed so unworthy of it.
??You should hurry home,? Naomi urged.
??For once I agree with my sister, I shall see you tomorrow at temple,? Deborah agreed giving Mary a hug of reassurance.
??Good-bye, Deborah, Naomi.?
??Good-bye, Mary,? the sisters called back in unison.
Mary placed her money on the table and picked up her jar of oil. She left for home as quickly as she could without spilling the oil. The sight of the soldiers left her with a feeling of insecurity, and she could not seem to get home fast enough. Mary??s mother was equally insecure because none of her family had returned home. It would be getting dark soon, and she did not want Mary out in the streets alone after dark. She stood in the door well looking up and down the streets wondering what could be keeping them while trying not to let her imagination run away with her. Finally, a familiar form was coming down their street amongst the long shadows cast by the setting sun.
??Mary! Gracious child, you gave me a fright,? her mother scorned only slightly being more relieved than angry.
??I??m sorry mother, I was late in buying oil for my lamp. Then soldiers came through the market, and I was scared to move until they had passed by,? Mary explained setting her jar of oil on the table. She then turned and embraced her mother.
??Soldiers! Did they try to harm you?? Her mother questioned holding her at arm??s length by the shoulders looking her up and down for any signs of injury. Romans did not have a reputation of good manners.
??No, it was just that they looked so angry. The sheer number of them makes me uneasy.?
??Who looks angry?? Eli questioned coming through the door with his usual strong deliberate presence. His voice was bold and rich, and its resonance gave a soothing comfort to his family.
??Father!? Mary exclaimed hugging him with much enthusiasm. He kissed her on the top of her head. He relished this familiar greeting from his daughter knowing that soon she would not be there to greet him.
??Mary, was just telling me about the soldiers that came through the market today. It is getting to where there are more soldiers in Nazareth than there are Jews.?
??Why do they need so many?? Mary questioned.
??Taxes. Caesar must have his taxes,? Eli responded. ??But more than likely those that you saw today were fresh from Rome, and will be replacing those that have been here for a while.?
??I did not see any leaving,? Mary added.
??What took you so long today, husband?? Mary??s mother asked trying to change the subject from this current unpleasant one.
??I was speaking with Levi and Reuben about our political situation. It does not look good. Herod, our king, if you can call him that is more of a Roman puppet than a Jew. Judea is in a sad state of affairs. The time is ripe for the promise of the Messiah, but God does not seem to hear our prayers. We keep looking, but we do not see its fulfillment.?
??Perhaps God is testing us to see if we will trust him,? Mary suggested. Eli looked at his daughter with awe. Her young mind??s simplistic wisdom never ceased to amaze him.
??Perhaps he is at that, daughter. Woman, I am hungry!?
??You are lucky that it is not cold,? she complained.
??Then I would eat it anyway,? Eli responded with his usual wit. His wife could never remain angry with him for any length of time and smiled with only a brief reluctance. |
