I like to watch biblical historical programs on different channels, the History Channel, National Geographic and others. I often find them interesting to watch, but they are quite often also revisionistic. The National Geographic Channel especially teaches from a fairly consistent position that most of the Divine claims of the Bible are untrue and can be explained instead by man's own desire to aspire to something better than he is.

The type of programs that cast doubt on the Lord's Divine nature seem to increase in number and frequency around Easter and at this time of year. Often, arguments are presented which say, "Suppose that......." or "It might be possible......." Today I came in unfortunately during the middle of a program on National G. that offered the notion that Mary's husband, Joseph, was much advanced in years, had been married before and had fathered children from his first wife. This concept, the show explained, is what allowed a very young Mary to remain pure while married to Joseph. Unfortunately, I got interrupted and didn't get to hear any more of it.

I would like to have heard the whole thing. I'm not a Bible scholar, and this is the first time I've heard anyone suggest that Joseph was far advanced in age. As far as I know, there aren't any Scriptures that clearly address either Joseph or Mary's ages. There are different ranges of age that different people suggest, and they may even be correct, but it all boils down to speculation. Speculation, and what can result from it is something that Paul cautioned Timothy about. (1 Timothy 1:4)

Deuteronomy 29:29 reads, "The secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." That bit of Scripture should probably serve as a guide for us in these cases."
What it gets down to is that in the context of the whole of Scripture, things like Mary's age and Joseph's age are unimportant. I believe that's why the specifics weren't given to us.

These sorts of speculative scenarios, used to attempt to explain away the biblical record, are commonplace these days. They are getting so commonplace that people are starting to get desensitized to the reality that they have no basis in fact actual fact, and to the point where many of these ridiculous notions are being accepted by people.

When there is a mystery in the Bible, I believe it is put there for a reason. Our all-knowing, all-wise God knows just as well, how to use mysteries, and when to reveal them, as He does how to love us and to show us His grace.