God reached Joseph through dreams

The name Joseph came from a great man in Israel’s history. Genesis 37, 39-50 told that first Joseph’s story. He was the patriarch Jacob’s favorite son (born to Jacob’s favorite wife, Rachel). He grew from a spoiled child into a man of reliable integrity, and Egypt’s king finally trusted him to save Egypt (and Jacob’s family) from a great famine. Interpreting dreams, an ability he always credited to God, played a key role in the rise of Joseph’s historic namesake (cf. Genesis 41:15-16).

• In Bible times, as often happens today, parents would choose names that captured the character they hoped and prayed their child would develop. So Mary’s fiancé Joseph, a humble working man, bore the name of one of Israel’s great patriarchal heroes. What traits from his great namesake in the Hebrew past did Jesus’ earthly father emulate and live into in facing his important (but “behind the scenes”) responsibilities?
• How did your parents (or you) choose your name? Did it come, at least in part, from an admired person, either in your own family or in history? If so, what qualities does that name link you to? If you’ve chosen to identify as a “Christ-ian,” what qualities does that name invite God to work into your character as you face life’s challenges and opportunities? In what ways do you want people to remember your “name” (whether it began as famous or obscure)?