18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[d]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[e] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
Joseph had the right to divorce. He had the right to expose Mary to great disgrace. She brought shame to him. She brought dishonor. But Joseph sought to protect her image. Even if in protecting Mary, Joseph was accepting more shame for himself.
This is the man God chose to be the man raising his son. A man who would protect his “shameful” fiance’s reputation over his own.
A good insight.