Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, stands as a remarkable example of good parenting in the Bible. His life, as recorded in the Gospels, particularly in the books of Matthew and Luke, provides a model of righteousness, obedience, and protective care.

Righteousness and Obedience

Joseph is first introduced in the Gospel of Matthew as a "righteous man" (Matthew 1:19). This description sets the tone for his character and actions throughout the narrative. When he discovered that Mary, his betrothed, was pregnant, Joseph faced a significant moral and social dilemma. However, his righteousness guided him to act with compassion and discretion. Instead of exposing Mary to public disgrace, he planned to divorce her quietly. This decision reflects his adherence to the law tempered with mercy.

Joseph's obedience to God is further exemplified when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, instructing him to take Mary as his wife because the child conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20-21). Joseph's immediate compliance with the divine message demonstrates his unwavering faith and submission to God's will. He took Mary as his wife, thereby assuming the role of Jesus' earthly father and protector.

Protective Care

Joseph's role as a protector is vividly illustrated in the account of Jesus' early childhood. After the visit of the Magi, an angel warned Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and the child Jesus to escape King Herod's murderous intent (Matthew 2:13). Joseph's prompt action in the middle of the night to safeguard his family highlights his dedication and courage as a parent. His willingness to uproot his life and relocate to a foreign land underscores his commitment to the safety and well-being of his family.

Later, when it was safe to return, Joseph again obeyed divine instruction and brought his family back to Israel, settling in Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23). This decision fulfilled the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene, further illustrating Joseph's role in the divine plan.

Faithful Guidance

Though the Gospels provide limited details about Joseph's life, his presence during Jesus' formative years suggests a role of faithful guidance. In Luke's Gospel, Joseph is depicted as a devout Jew who observed religious customs, such as presenting Jesus at the temple and attending the Passover festival in Jerusalem (Luke 2:22, 41-42). These actions indicate that Joseph was instrumental in nurturing Jesus' spiritual upbringing and grounding Him in the traditions of their faith.

Joseph's influence is subtly acknowledged in the account of Jesus at the temple at age twelve, where Jesus refers to God as His Father, yet returns to Nazareth with Joseph and Mary, remaining obedient to them (Luke 2:49-51). This passage suggests that Joseph's role as a father was respected and honored by Jesus, reflecting the strong familial bond and the values imparted by Joseph.

In summary, Joseph exemplifies good parenting through his righteousness, obedience to God, protective care, and faithful guidance. His life serves as a testament to the virtues of humility, faith, and dedication in the sacred role of parenthood.Genesis 48:13-20
And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near to him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Home as a Stewardship.
... to parental integrity, and is beautifully exemplified in the ... yea, if you are Christian
parents,"for yourselves ... flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter vi home as a.htm

From the Conference of 1773 to the Commencement of the War in 1776
... These suspicions, however, though not yet exemplified in any ... He resolved to begin
in good earnest; and ... to heaven, wives their husbands: parents their children ...
/.../chapter 1 from the conference.htm

The National Oath at Shechem
... best way to deepen and confirm good resolutions which ... by the stories of hardships
which his parents have meant ... its history ever since has exemplified, was here ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the national oath at shechem.htm

Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians.
... in Christians, and watchfulness, [483]169; exemplified in the ... 157; their duties to
serve with good will, [545 ... of the sin of rebellion against parents, [562]159. ...
/.../homilies on galatians and ephesians.htm

The Origin of Species.
... for no assignable reason, from its parents by a ... the habit of indulging, much to the
good farmer's vexation ... This is strikingly exemplified by the case of Gratio ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xii the origin of species.htm

Critical Notes.
... Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; (but he ... divorce a mere "myth," and
played many good-humored jokes on ... We have the same law exemplified on a large ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/critical notes.htm

Anti-Pelagian Writings
... How God's Blessing Operated in Our First Parents. ... Evil of Lust Does Not Take Away
the Good of Marriage. ... There Was True Wedlock Between Mary and Joseph; In What ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/anti-pelagian writings/

From the Close of the General Conference of 1816 to the ...
... Church; was early taught by his parents to read ... and hence a commendable zeal was
exemplified in procuring ... approbation, and cheered by the good countenance and ...
/.../chapter 4 from the close.htm

Of Civil Government.
... we are not bound to act the part of good subjects to ... be less bound in duty to their
parents, and wives ... own duty, this ought especially to be exemplified in the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

The General Conference of 1820
... urbanity and kindness, and so fully exemplified the spirit ... shall enable us to say,
Behold how good and how ... be gained, through them, to their parents and friends ...
/.../chapter 5 the general conference.htm

What does the Bible say about overbearing or controlling parents? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about respecting your parents? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about obeying parents? | GotQuestions.org

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