For Joseph, obedience took courage and faith. Joseph had been planning and looking forward to a joyous occasion, his wedding. Suddenly, in one day his world was turned upside down. Mary, his bride to be, pulled him aside perhaps as they are walking in the evening; or sitting enjoying each other's company; Maybe, he noticed the somewhat visible signs of pregnancy after her return from visiting Elizabeth. However it happened, his dreams crashed and burned like dead leaves. His dreams and hopes of having a nice quiet home and being a "good Jewish man" were gone. Joseph had a problem. If Mary were pregnant, suspect number one would be him. People would assume that he was the father. But... Joseph had choices, options. He could publically divorce her. This would get Mary stoned but his reputation is saved, and he knew the child was not his. Or, he could divorce her privately allowing her to live and he could still salvage most of his reputati...