Joseph: The Other Father (Intrepid Men of God) (Volume 5)

By Katheryn Maddox Haddad

Description:

Imagine being told by God to guard His Son in a violent world until he is grown. How does Joseph choose a city in strange Egypt to hide 2-year-old Jesus from Herod’s spies? Does he dare take 4-year-old Jesus to the temple where now-dead Herod’s son slaughters thousands? How can Joseph protect Jesus with all the skirmishes and killing on roads everywhere with dozens vying to take over as king? How does Joseph handle the persecution in Nazareth by people who could count and knew Mary was pregnant before marrying Joseph? What does Joseph do with Jesus in Nazareth, just three miles from Sepphoris, hotbed of zealot protesters, when a Roman legate burns the city and crucifies 2000 more zealots in Jerusalem? In what ways does Joseph teach Jesus how to be a skilled carpenter in sometimes dangerous situations, and avoid being mauled in the mountains when they cut trees for lumber? How many times, when Jesus was in danger did Joseph cry out, “God, help me protect our Son!”? (NOTE: A year before Jesus’ death, he was rejected in Nazareth where they said, “Isn’t this the son of the carpenter?” In present tense.) (There are discussion questions for all chapters in the back of the book for book clubs and Bible Classes.)

Book Takeaway:

Remember Joseph. Do not take for granted what he went through to protect Jesus in a violent world. Then take a second look at the mentors of great Christians you know today. Appreciate them.

Why the author wrote this book:

Most people have been told Jesus died shortly after Jesus was twelve. It's a myth. The Bible says Joseph, the carpenter, was still alive when Jesus was rejected in Nazareth. What was it like for him to protect toddler Jesus from crocodiles in Egypt, and Herod's son in Jerusalem, and warring Jews and Roans on every highway? Joseph must have felt a special tenderness for that special boy he had adopted. Jesus was God's gift to him. How he must have loved that gift.