by Timothy W. Burnett
Continuing chronologically we turn to Matthew 1:18-25. According to verse 18 the record shows that Mary was found with a child of God. Verse 18 came right after the genealogy of Jesus Christ through Mary. Placed like a gem, God began the record of Jesus Christ's life with a very important truth. Mary was found with a child of God.
On to verse 19, "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily." The word "husband" came from the same Greek word as the word husband in Luke 1:16. The word was translated from a word that referred to the man over a household. Understanding this helps to clear up some confusion concerning Joseph "the husband" of Mary listed in the genealogy. This Joseph could only be Mary's father.
Joseph, her marital husband was a just man. He desired to do God's will according to His word. Yet he didn't want to make her a public example. So he made up his mind to divorce her secretly.
Continuing with verses 20-22, "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, �Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto you Mary your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.�" God did not leave Mary to be alone without a husband. He worked mightily to make sure of this.
While Joseph deeply pondered his situation Gabriel appeared to him. He told him to not be afraid to take his wife. He reassured him that she was truly carrying the child of God. When Mary and Joseph were espoused they were contractually committed to marry each other, but had not yet sealed their marriage with the intent to conceive a child. According to tradition this was not to happen until later.
Gabriel also made sure Joseph knew to name the child Jesus. This was the same name that Mary was instructed to give her son. Please note that both Mary and Joseph were instructed individually to give him the same name as Joshua the son of Nun.
Recall that Joshua led God's people into the "promised land." According to verses 22-23 the conception and birth of Jesus Christ fulfilled the word of God that said, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, 'God with us'" (see also Isaiah 7:4). Just as God was with His people when Joshua led them into the promised land, so also was God with his people through His son Jesus (Joshua).
Now we come to Joseph's meek response in verses 24-25, "Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife; And knew her not until she had brought forth her firstborn son: and called his name Jesus [Joshua]." The first part of verse 25 states the obvious. Although they sealed their marriage, Joseph did not conceive a child in Mary until after she gave birth to Jesus Christ. With a meek heart for God, he went unto his wife and sealed their marriage.
Joseph would not have needed to wait long before confirming whether Mary had been with another man. 1John 5:6-8 provides some information about this, �This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ�For there are three that bear record�the spirit, and the water, and the blood. These three agree in one.� To the best of my understanding of ancient Hebrew tradition, after Joseph and Mary sealed their marriage, they would have presented the bed linen to the elders and priests as proof that Mary had not been with another man prior to their marriage.
Different numbers have spiritual significance. In The Companion Bible (Appendix 10) E.W. Bullinger described the spiritual significance of numbers. The number three denotes completeness, �as three lines complete a plane figure. Hence, three is significant of Divine perfection and completeness.�
It is fantastic to consider that this was also true during Jesus� death and resurrection. When the Roman soldier pierced Jesus� side he saw the typical human bodily fluids pour out of him. That would have been blood and water. Then three days and three nights later Jesus was raised from the dead by his the spirit of God.
Home