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    The Builder: A Portrait of Joseph, the Human Step-Father of Jesus
    The Builder: A Portrait of Joseph, the Human Step-Father of Jesus
    The Builder: A Portrait of Joseph, the Human Step-Father of Jesus
    Ebook122 pages1 hour

    The Builder: A Portrait of Joseph, the Human Step-Father of Jesus

    By J.M. Diener

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    About this ebook

    Joseph the son of Jacob is one of the forgotten characters of the Bible. He fades into the background of the manger scenes, eclipsed by the brightness of his wife and her Son. Yet, he is a fascinating man who sacrificed much for the coming of the Messiah.

    This brief novella explores the life and character of Joseph the step-father of Jesus Christ. Based on careful research and recent Evangelical biblical scholarship, the story attempts to capture the happenings of the birth of Jesus and place them in their proper cultural and historical context.

    The Builder is a wonderful way to prepare yourself for the Christmas season by reflecting on the world and people that Jesus joined when He was born.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJ.M. Diener
    Release dateSep 9, 2016
    ISBN9781370540297
    The Builder: A Portrait of Joseph, the Human Step-Father of Jesus
    Author

    J.M. Diener

    J.M. Diener grew up in the Middle East where he was exposed to the fictional writings of C.S. Lewis early on. J.R.R. Tolkien and Stephen R. Lawhead later became two of his favorite authors. Having studied Old Testament theology, J.M. Diener loves to look carefully at Scripture and its application to daily life, and, like Tolkien, he enjoys reading and studying history, whether real or imagined. J.M. Diener's writings are collected at http://www.wolfhawke.com

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      Book preview

      The Builder - J.M. Diener

      The Builder

      A Portrait of Joseph, the Human Stepfather of Jesus Christ

      by

      J.M. Diener

      Copyright © 2003, 2011, 2013 J.M. Diener

      All Rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

      ISBN: 9781370540297

      Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

      Scripture quotations marked (HCSB) are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, HCSB®, and Holman CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

      Scripture quotations marked (NIV) taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by Permission of the International Bible Society.

      NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.

      Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

      Smashwords e-book version: 2016-09-13

      Layout and Design by Hawke AI Publishing

      http://www.hawke-ai.com

      J.M. Diener’s writings are collected at

      http://www.wolfhawke.com

      For Nick

      Table of Contents

      TITLE PAGE

      One: SEPPHORIS

      Two: NAZARETH

      Three: BETHLEHEM

      Four: JERUSALEM

      Five: EGYPT

      EPILOGUE

      AUTHOR’S NOTES

      SOURCES

      ENDNOTES

      ALSO BY J.M. DIENER

      One

      SEPPHORIS

      In the twilight of the new dawn the builder arose from the hard pallet which lay on the roof of his father’s house. Yosef Ben Yakov drew a deep breath and whispered the ancient words of the Creed of Israel:

      Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one. And you will love the LORD your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind…[1] The pure Hebrew of Moses’ injunction to the sons of Israel flowed from his mind and heart. He meditated on the meaning of each phrase, basking in the richness, reveling in the understanding. He considered how speaking the words daily led him into a deeper knowledge of his God, the One he truly loved, the One he longed to see and worship face-to-face.

      These thoughts stayed with him as he left his father’s compound in the tiny village of Nazareth to start the hour-long walk across the valley to the city of Sepphoris where he had been hired to work on an addition to the house of one of the rich merchants of the city. As he walked, he hummed a melody in the minor key of his people, reciting from the Psalms. The songs of David, the beloved King of Israel, were especially dear to his heart, reminding him of the unbroken lineage he himself was part of, descending father-to-son from Yehoiachin[2], the last legitimate king of Israel. If this king had not failed, then perhaps it would have been Yosef’s father, Yakov, sitting on the present throne of Israel.

      Yosef often pondered this, reminding himself of the promises God gave to David concerning the Anointed One who would come to set all things right. It was something he begged his God to fulfill soon, almost as frequently as pleading for the opportunity to see his God and worship Him face-to-face. At times he would even ask that he might be considered worthy to be included in the lineage of the Anointed One, though at other times he chided himself for being so presumptuous.

      These thoughts carried him along until Sepphoris came into view; a city perched on the crown of a hill, much like a bird’s nest; an appropriate description, since the old Hebrew name Zippori meant bird. Living up there must give one the feeling of living at the top of the world. He understood a little of what that was like, since the cliff on which his little home village of Nazareth was situated gave him a similar view of the Beyt Netofa Valley.

      Yosef’s final destination was old Eli Yoachim’s expansive home, situated on the western edge of Sepphoris. The city gates were just opening and Yosef strode through with a friendly word to the men on duty. They greeted him in kind, and Yosef continued on up the path through the poorer section of the city, stopping in front of the small house where his younger brother Yehuda and his wife lived. Their brother Clopas had stayed there overnight and would join them to work today. He had been invited to dine with a scholar of the Law the evening before, as the scholar wanted his guests to experience a display of the famed knowledge of the sons of Rabbi Yakov Bar Mattan. Clopas was the least scholarly of the four brothers, but he was the most persuasive in debating the Law, having inherited his father’s way with words. Many thought that this young man would have ended up as a lawyer if his father’s trade hadn’t already given him a vocation that any man would be proud of.

      Peace be with you, Yosef! Yehuda called, as his older brother stepped through the low doorway into the small courtyard.

      And with you peace, brother, the builder replied with a smile. I see you are well.

      You say that every time, Yosef. We saw each other only yesterday! Yehuda chuckled and clapped his pudgy hand onto his older brother’s shoulder. Come and break bread with us before we have to leave for old Eli’s. I’ll wager a new adz that he’s got plenty of carving for you to do. He glanced beyond Yosef, expecting to see Abiyah, their youngest brother. Where is the runt off to? he asked.

      Mother kept him at home, the older brother replied. Someone’s got to take care of the furniture orders.

      And he would never miss a chance to stay with Father and his books, right? Clopas remarked, coming down from the roof of the house. He smiled and said, Peace be with you, embracing Yosef in the customary manner. They all climbed the stairs to the roof, where just a few minutes later Yehuda’s wife, Bat-shua, brought them fresh-baked bread, goat’s cheese and milk, as well as some black olives. As the eldest, Yosef said a brief blessing before the three brothers broke their fast.

      So we’re off to old Eli’s again, Clopas chuckled, while chewing his piece of flat bread. I tell you, Yosef, I saw a sight there yesterday that would make even an old man feel strong again.

      Looking at the girls again, Clopas? Yehuda grunted. Have you forgotten that Father already has someone in mind for you?

      Right, isn’t it the cross-eyed girl from Cana, whom no one wants? Yosef jibed, an impish smile on his face.

      Ha, Father wouldn’t force me to marry her even if she were the only Israelite woman left in Palestine! Clopas exploded. He’ll let us select our own brides, and you know it!

      What a responsibility for you, boy, Yosef laughed. Your eyes wander after anyone who happens to have long hair and a pretty shawl! I bet you never even notice if they’re of marriageable age or not! Yehuda tried to stifle a chuckle by lifting his cup of milk to his mouth, only to start choking. He sputtered and coughed and received a few well-meaning but useless slaps on the back from his brothers.

      I tell you, Yosef, this girl’s different! Clopas said sincerely, after Yehuda’s coughing fit had passed. She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen and I don’t say that lightly! Yosef looked at Yehuda and gave him a knowing smile. Clopas Alphaeus the match-maker was at it again. It really, really galled him that his oldest brother remained single even though Yehuda, second in line, had already married. It was only six months past, but still Clopas felt

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