Matthew's main purpose is to prove to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah, the King of the Jews. One of the requirements would be to trace Jesus' lineage back to David - and because kingship is handed down through the father's line, Matthew shows that Joseph, Jesus' earthly father, can trace his ancestry to King David.
Joseph was a godly and strong man. It would take a man of great character to marry Mary, knowing she was already with child, and all the baggage that would come with that - at best the neighbours would think Joseph had engaged in premarital sex with Mary, at worst they would think she had been unfaithful to him. Either way, it was not what he thought he had signed up for. And yet, when he received assurance that she had been faithful (and I certainly don't fault him for needing assurance - immaculate conception would be a tough sell!), he was willing to follow through with the marriage and to take Jesus as his son.
We also need to live out our lives in faithfulness to God's plan, even when it doesn't go according to what we thought was best or when we don't know what will happen. God is in control, His plan is best, and following that plan is for our good and for His glory.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 16-18, Matthew 2
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