His Word Today

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,”  (Matthew 2:1 ESV).

Matthew. Matthew’s point of view regarding Jesus is that He is the prophesied King of the Jews (Genesis 49:10; Numbers 24:17; Matt. 1:1-17; 18-25). Therefore, it makes logical sense that Matthew would provide the account of the visit from the Magi.

Who were the Magi? There is a lot of speculation regarding their identity and origin. Were they really kings as the familiar Christmas Carol We Three Kings of Orient Are states? What about King Herod. Who exactly was this ruler and what were his feelings; not only about the Magi but also the news regarding the birth of Jesus Christ?

To begin with, the word Magi (μάγος; magos) has various meanings. These include wise man, priest, sorcerer or magician. We do know from the text that there were more than one Magi; the word is in the plural form. They grammar also indicates that they were men.

“‘Magi’ (not “wise men”—KJV) were pagan astrologers whose divinatory skills were widely respected in the Greco-Roman world; astrology had become popular through the “science” of the East, and everyone agreed that the best astrologers lived in the East. The Old Testament explicitly forbade such prognostication from signs (Deut. 18:11; cf. Isaiah 2:6; 47:11–15), prescribing true prophecy instead (Deut. 18:15),” explains Dr. John Walvoord.

“The number of wise men is not given. The traditional notion that there were three stems from the number of gifts they brought. These were not kings, but Magi, magicians, or astrologers—possibly Zoroastrian wise men from Persia whose knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures could be traced back to the time of Daniel (cf. Dan. 5:11),” Dr. John MacArthur explains.

The Book of Daniel applies the word Magi to a group of wise men who interpreted dreams from the gods (Dan. 1:20; 2:27; 5:15). In the Acts of the Apostles, the title included all who practiced magical arts (Acts 8:1-9; 10-24; 13:1-8).

“The exact identity of the Magi is impossible to determine, though several ideas have been suggested. They have been given traditional names and identified as representatives of the three groups of peoples that descended from Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. More likely they were Gentiles of high position from a country, perhaps Parthia, northeast of Babylon, who were given a special revelation by God of the birth of the King of the Jews. This special revelation may simply have been in the sky, as might be indicated by their title “Magi” (specialists in astronomy) and by the fact they referred to a star which they saw. Or this revelation could have come through some contact with Jewish scholars who had migrated to the East with copies of Old Testament manuscripts. Many feel the Magi’s comments reflected a knowledge of Balaam’s prophecy concerning the “star” that would “come out of Jacob” (Num. 24:17). Whatever the source, they came to Jerusalem to worship the newborn King of the Jews,” Dr. Walvoord concludes.

Why would the Magi come to Jerusalem? To begin with, it was Israel’s capital city. King Herod resided there. As we shall see as we continue in the text, where else would you look for a newborn king then the city where the Jewish king’s palace is located. However, God always defied people’s expectations. He still does!

Soli deo Gloria!   

²⁴ “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, ²⁵ but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:24-25 ESV)

Faith, or to believe, means to trust in, commit to, depend upon and honor God. The evidence of such faith and belief is obedience. Joseph displays his sincere faith and belief in God, and His Word, by his obedience. Joseph does what God commands him to do.

Immediately after the angel’s message in his dream, Joseph rose from sleeping and “did” (ποιέω poieō) as the angel of the Lord commanded him. Joseph obeyed with a complete compliance to the will of God. There were no heal-hearted measures in this man. He was totally committed. While the circumstances had not changed, his perspective had. His obedience involved not only what he would do, but also what he would not do.

First, he took Mary as his wife. The two of them officially became husband and wife. They participated in the wedding ceremony. “His submission to God was as powerful and complete as that of Mary, who also offered herself as the servant of the Lord (Luke 1:38). Joseph refused to be led by shame or anger. He laid aside the plausible plan of divorce (Matthew 1:19) and took Mary as his wife,” states commentator Daniel M. Doriani.

Second, Joseph did not have sexual relations with Mary until after she had given birth to Jesus. In every aspect, and in every way, Mary remained a virgin.

Third, Joseph named the child Jesus. He did so just as the angel instructed him (Matthew 1:21).

“What a picture of living faith! Mary and Joseph listened to God. They silenced their emotions of fear and shame and obeyed the Lord. Why? Because they understood that God is with His people to save. They show us how to listen and how to obey the voice of God rather than our impulses,” explains Doriani.

May we as believers in Christ receive, submit, and give all of our dreams, plans and hearts to Him. May we trust in, commit to, depend upon and honor the One, True God. This is the essence of saving faith.

Soli deo Gloria!

²² “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ²³ “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:22-23 ESV)

The phrase, “All this took place to fulfill,” is a recurring literary style of Matthew. “Matthew points out fulfillments of OT prophecies no less than a dozen times (cf. 2:15, 17, 23; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14, 35; 21:4; 26:54–56; 27:9, 35). He quotes from the OT more than 60 times, more frequently than any other NT writer except Paul in Romans, explains Dr. John MacArthur.

Nothing concerning the incarnation of Jesus Christ was left to chance, fate or luck. Every detail was with the providence of God the Father.

The prophet of whom Matthew refers is Isaiah. The texts are Isaiah 7:14 and 8:8-10. Not only did the prophet reveal the circumstances surrounding the birth of the Messiah (a virgin incarnation), but also His name (Immanuel); God with us. Even Isaiah noted that gender of the coming Messiah indicating the supernatural, revelatory nature of His birth.

There are those interpreters who state that Isaiah 7:14 applies solely to the Jewish King Hezekiah. This is wrong.

“We expound this (Isaiah 7:14) as relating to Christ in the following manner: You, the whole posterity of David, as far as lies in your power, endeavor to nullify the grace which is promised to you;” (for the prophet expressly call them, by way of disgrace, the house of David, Isaiah 7:13); but your base infidelity will never prevent the truth of God from proving to be victorious. God promises that the city will be preserved safe and unhurt from its enemies. If His word is not enough, He is ready to give you the confirmation of such as sign as you demand. You reject both favors, and spurn them from you; but God will remain steady to His engagement. For the promised Redeemer will come, in whom God will show Himself to be fully present with His people,” comments John Calvin.

But in Christ, the actual presence of God is with His people. He came to His own people, but tragically they did not receive Him (John 1:10-11). He was despised and rejected (Isiah 52:13-53:12).

“His name Immanuel. The phrase, God is with us, is not doubt frequently employed in Scripture to denote, that He is present with us by His assistance and grace, and displays the power of His hand in our defense. But here we are instructed as to the manner in which God communicates with men. For out of Christ we are alienated from Him; but through Christ we are not only received into His favor, but are made one with Him,” concludes Calvin.

The presence of God in the incarnation of Jesus Christ is greater than any other kind of revelation given to the ancient people. God is manifested in the flesh and bone of a human body (I Timothy 3:16). God has given Himself to sinners in Jesus Christ.

Soli deo Gloria!

²⁰ “But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21 ESV)

“But as he considered these things.”  Joseph had a lot to think about. Had Mary been unfaithful? Her pregnancy indicated so. How should he respond? The Law was clear. She should be publicly stoned to death as the Mosaic Law prescribed (Deut. 22:23-24). However, Joseph decided to privately divorce her (Deut. 24:1). This would be the gracious thing to do; for all concerned.

We do not know how long Joseph thought about this. What we do know that as he did an “angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.” This would be the first of five dreams Joseph would have from the Lord (Matt. 1:20; 2:12, 13, 19, 22). The angel is not identified, but is assumed to be Gabriel (Luke 1:18-19, 26-38).  

“But we must understand that dreams of this sort differ widely from natural dreams; for they have a character of certainty engraved on them and are impressed with a divine seal; so that there is not the slightest doubt of their truth. The dreams from God are accompanied by the testimony of the Spirit, which puts beyond a doubt that it is God who speaks,” explains John Calvin.

“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife.” The angel acknowledged what Matthew already revealed. Joseph was in the lineage of not only Abraham, but also David (Matt. 1:1-17). The angel told Joseph to not be afraid to become Mary’s husband. Why would Joseph be afraid? Embarrassed? Yes! Doubtful? Certainly!

But why does the angel caution Joseph to not be afraid? Perhaps it was because Joseph did not want to violate God’s law (Deut. 22:23-24). This would certainly be an example of him being a just and righteous man. The angel instructed Joseph to complete the betrothal period and then participate in the official wedding ceremony; officially uniting him to Mary as husband and wife.

The reason for this was because “that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” The angel summarized what Luke in his Gospel revealed in detail (Luke 1:26-38). A divine act occurred. Mary was pregnant with Immanuel; solely by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.  

The angel further said, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”There are three facts to observe in this brief statement.

First, Mary would bear a son. In our day and age of prenatal, ultrasound imagery, an unborn child’s gender can be observed and known prior to their birth. This was not the case 2,000 years ago. The angel’s news spoke of the supernatural event that was unfolding.

Second, the angel directed Joseph to call the unborn boy Jesus. The was significant because the name Jesus means Savior (Luke 1:31). The long-prophesied Messiah was to be the Savior of sinners.

Third, the angel stated the obvious. This son, who was to be named Jesus, will save His people from their sins. He was to be the deliverer of sinners from the penalty, power and eventual presence of their sin.

“When the Son of God came to us clothed in flesh, he received from the Father a name which plainly told for what purpose He came, what was His power, and what we had a right to expect from Him. The name Jesus presents to us the Son of God as the Author of salvation,” states John Calvin.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁸ Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:18-19 ESV)

Today’s text reveals three things about Joseph in the extraordinary circumstances he and Mary faced. First, he was a just man. Second, he was unwilling to shame Mary. Third, he resolved to quietly divorce her. Let’s individually examine each of these statements.

First, Joseph was a just man. To be just (δίκαιος; dikaios) means to be righteous. In other words, Joseph was a man who wanted to do what was right; not only in the sight of God but also in the sight of the Word of God. He was a true believer.

Second, Joseph did not want to shame Mary. To shame (παραδειγματίζω; paradeigmatizō) meant to make Mary a public example. This suggests the act and observance of public stoning to death for adultery (Deut. 22:23-24). He did not want Mary executed; publicly or privately. This was because he loved her.

Third, he resolved to quietly divorce her. Resolved (βούλομαι; boulomai) means to wish or desire. To divorce her (ἀπολύω; apolyō) meant to set Mary free from the betrothal. He made this painful but gracious decision.

“Stoning was the legal prescription for this sort of adultery (Deut. 22:23–24). Joseph’s righteousness meant he was also merciful; thus, he did not intend to “disgrace” Mary. The phrase “a just man” is a Hebraism suggesting that he was a true believer in God who had thereby been declared righteous, and who carefully obeyed the law (see Gen. 6:9). To “divorce her” would be to obtain a legal divorce (Matt. 19:8–9; Deut. 24:1), which according to the Jewish custom was necessary in order to dissolve a betrothal (Matt. 1:18),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

“The placement of Joseph’s family at the end of the third set of fourteen generations (Matt. 1:16) tells us that they will be the people God uses to restore the kingdom. Joseph is the adopted father of the Son who fulfills ultimately all of the Lord’s promises. Righteous Joseph is a fine choice to raise the Christ, for he loves and delights in God’s law,” explains Dr. R.C. Sproul.

According to the custom in Joseph’s day (circa 4 b.c.), he and Mary would be engaged for a full year (without living together), and would require a legal divorce to dissolve their bond. Mary became pregnant during this period (v. 18), which implied there had been unlawful sexual relations before the proper time. Joseph knew he was not guilty of this sin. Circumstances indicated that Mary was.

Joseph decided to initiate a divorce to preserve his righteousness and good name. He also did not want to put Mary to shame. He chose to pursue a private divorce; an acceptable provision according to the law of Moses (Num. 5:11–31). This avoided embarrassing Mary publicly (Matt. 1:19). 

However, the LORD would sovereignly inform Joseph of His will. The LORD’s purpose would supersede Joseph’s and also be in harmony with God’s Word. The same holds true for believers in Christ today.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁸ Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:18-19 ESV)

In several ways, Matthew’s account of Jesus’ incarnation parallels the birth narrative found in Luke 1:26ff. However, Matthew’s narrative focus in not on Mary but rather on Joseph.

Matthew mentions the one-year betrothal period of engagement known as the Kuddushin. The actual wedding ceremony, referred to as the Huppa, had yet to take place.

Matthew also mentions that this betrothal period occurred “before they came together.” In other words, Mary and Joseph had not consummated their relationship (Luke 1:27-38). However, in a restricted sense theirs was essentially a marriage.

“The fact that Jesus was born “of Mary” only, as indicated in the genealogical record (Matthew 1:16), demanded further explanation. Matthew’s explanation can best be understood in the light of Hebrew marriage customs. Marriages were arranged for individuals by parents, and contracts were negotiated. After this was accomplished, the individuals were considered married and were called husband and wife. They did not, however, begin to live together. Instead, the woman continued to live with her parents and the man with his for one year. The waiting period was to demonstrate the faithfulness of the pledge of purity given concerning the bride. If she was found to be with child in this period, she obviously was not pure, but had been involved in an unfaithful sexual relationship. Therefore, the marriage could be annulled. If, however, the one-year waiting period demonstrated the purity of the bride, the husband would then go to the house of the bride’s parents and in a grand processional march lead his bride back to his home. There they would begin to live together as husband and wife and consummate their marriage physically. Matthew’s story should be read with this background in mind,” explains Dr. John Walvoord.

It was at this time that Mary was pregnant. The text says she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. Mary became pregnant while remaining a virgin. The pregnancy occurred through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. The immediate cause of her condition was the powerful-life imparting creative work of God the Holy Spirit. Mary knew this pregnancy occurred because the angel told her this would happen (Luke 1:26-35). She knew Joseph was not the biological father because they had not consummated their relationship. Joseph knew this too. What an extraordinary set of circumstances Joseph was also facing.

“Mary and Joseph were in the one-year waiting period when Mary was found to be with child. They had never had sexual intercourse and Mary herself had been faithful (vv. 20, 23). While little is said about Joseph, one can imagine how his heart must have broken. He genuinely loved Mary, and yet the word came that she was pregnant,” concludes Dr. Walvoord.

What would Joseph do in light of these extraordinary circumstances? That is what we will examine next time. Suffice to say that Joseph will do that which is right and biblical. How about us?

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:18 (ESV)

^26 “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.” (Luke 1:26-27)

God chooses ordinary people to serve Him. People just like you and me. People just like a girl named Mary. How does God go about choosing people to serve Him? First of all, He finds you. What do we know about Mary? In light of our study of the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of Luke provides some excellent insight.

To begin with, Mary lived in Nazareth. Nazareth was a town located approximately 22 miles east from the Mediterranean Sea and 15 miles west of the Sea of Galilee. It was located in the lower region of Galilee. It was surrounded by hills. It was known for bad morals and bad religion. It was a small town; not a capital but rather a village.

Nazareth had a reputation during the first century. The overall perspective of Jewish people at the time regarding Nazareth can best be summed up by Jesus’ disciple Nathaniel: “And Nathanial said to him (Phillip), Can anything good come out of Nazareth” (John 1:46)? Yet the Prophet Isaiah wrote that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene. This was a Hebrew reference of the Messiah being from the “branch of David.” 

 Second, she was a virgin. The Greek word for virgin, παρθένον (parthenon), means an unmarried person, in this case a female. In other words, Mary had never engaged in sexual intercourse; voluntary or otherwise. She was a virgin in every sense of the word. Matthew’s Gospel will bear this out later on in our study.

Third, she was engaged or betrothed to a man named Joseph. The Jewish betrothal period, called the Kuddushin, was an arranged engagement. Their legally bound marriage ceremony had yet to take place. This was called the Huppa. It would be like our modern weddings and receptions. However, the celebration would often last seven days. This would be what Jesus and His disciples encountered when they attended a wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11).

Mary and Joseph would not have had any physical relationship. They lived in separate homes. The Kuddushin lasted approximately a year. The purpose of this engagement period of time was to prove the fidelity of both individuals. Mary had been solemnly promised to Joseph. As noted, he belonged to the family of David (Matthew 1:1-17). In a real sense, they were “legally married.” If either partner proved unfaithful, or other problems arose, then a formal bill of divorcement was required to nullify the betrothal contract.

Mary could very well have been in her teens. Marriages and betrothals in the culture were arranged at a young age. Betrothals often occurred when girls were as young as twelve or thirteen. Perhaps because of her maturity, Mary could have been in her late teens. We can only speculate.

What about you? Where, when and how did God find you? What were the circumstances which led Him to not only convert you but to begin using you? Take time to reflect on God’s usage of you through the years. Thank Him for the privilege it is to serve the One, True God.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:18 (ESV)

I have lived long enough to have witnessed extraordinary circumstances. Extraordinary means “unusual or remarkable; unusually great; that which provides astonishment or admiration.” Circumstances mean “a fact; an occurrence or a condition.” I’m certain that you have also experienced extraordinary circumstances in your life. However, none can compare to what a young girl named Mary experienced.

May became involved in the birth of Jesus Christ; the long awaited Messiah. She most likely never expected to be. However, the LORD had other plans. The name Jesus means Savior. The title Christ means the Anointed One. Jesus of Nazareth was the Anointed One of God.

Mary was betrothed to a man named Joseph. Both of them may have been young teenagers. Betrothal in ancient Israel was in some ways like an engagement. It was called the Kuddushin. It lasted up to one year.

It was during a time prior to the consummation of their marriage. The wedding ceremony, known as the Huppa, had not yet occurred. In other words, Mary was still a virgin. Matthew writes, “…before they came together.”

“The phrase employed by the Evangelist, before they came together, is either a modest appellation for conjugal intercourse, or simply means before they came to dwell together as husband and wife and  to make one and family. The virgin had not yet been delivered by her parents into the hands of her husband, but still remained under their roof,” states John Calvin.

“Jewish betrothal was as binding as modern marriage. A divorce was necessary to terminate the betrothal (v. 19) and the betrothed couple were regarded legally as husband and wife (v. 19)—although physical union had not yet taken place,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.  

Matthew wrote nothing extraordinary about Mary up to this point. Then he states, “…she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.”

Mary became pregnant while remaining a virgin. The baby was conceived, or life generated, by the Holy Spirit. The cause of her condition was the powerful-life imparting creative work of God the Holy Spirit. There was nothing sordid about this miraculous conception. Mary knew this pregnancy occurred because the angel Gabriel told her this would happen (Luke 1:26-35). She also knew Joseph was not the biological father.

“The birth of Jesus was a fulfillment of Messianic prophecy (Isaiah 7:1-14). The people had been looking for a son of David, but not for Immanuel. Perhaps no one genuinely heard the prophecy; nevertheless, one was given (the fact that we are deaf does not mean God fails to speak),” explains commentator Daniel M. Doriani.

More to come. Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

³ “and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,^[a] 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, ⁵ and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, ⁶ and Jesse the father of David the king. ¹⁶ and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.” (Matthew 1:3-6, 16 ESV)

In Matthew’s selective genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17), he lists in today’s text five women. In the cultural context of first century Israel, it was uncommon for women to be named in a genealogy. Therefore, this is a striking occurrence.

Before we answer the question of why Matthew did this, a study of who these five women were is appropriate. While all the names listed represent sinful people, these females particularly stand out.

Tamar. Tamar was the Canaanite daughter-in-law of Judah. She married Er, Judah’s first born son (Genesis 38:1-6). Following Er’s death, she posed as a prostitute to seduce Judah due to his unjust treatment of her (Genesis 38:13-30).

Rahab. Rahab was a Gentile and an actual prostitute in Jericho (Joshua 2). She is listed in Hebrews 11 as a person of sincere faith in the LORD. “By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies” (Hebrews 11:31).

Ruth. Ruth was a Moabite (Ruth 1:1-3). This means the she was a descendant of an incestuous relationship between Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and his daughters (Genesis 19:30-38).

The wife of Uriah. Bathsheba was Uriah the Hittites wife (2 Samuel 11). She had an adulterous affair with King David and became pregnant with his child. Following the murder of Uriah by David, she married David and bore their child who died in infancy. She would later bear David a second child; Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24-25).

Mary. Mary displayed all the makings of a young woman who became pregnant by another man while betrothed to Joseph (Matthew 1:18-19). Therefore, Joseph chose to divorce her quietly.

Why did Matthew include these five women in this genealogy?

“Genealogies in the ancient world did not normally include women, but Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba) are found in Matthew’s ancestry of Jesus (vv. 3, 5–6). All of these women were Gentiles or married to a Gentile: Tamar and Rahab were Canaanites (Gen. 38; Josh. 2), Ruth was a Moabitess (Ruth 1:4), and Bathsheba’s first husband was a Hittite (2 Sam. 11). These names could have been omitted, but Matthew includes them to show us that God’s family in Christ is comprised of faithful Jews and Gentiles,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

“Moreover, Rahab’s inclusion in Jesus’ lineage despite her past in harlotry reminds us of God’s grace. Indeed, the Savior has relatives with a more wicked past than Rahab (Manasseh, for instance; 2 Chron. 33:1–20; Matt. 1:10), but these sinners, because they turned from their evil, were not cut off from God’s covenant blessings.”

“Jesus, takes even great sinners, at their repentance, into the nearest relation to himself,” Puritan Matthew Henry comments,

Each of these women are object lessons of God’s divine grace; and grace alone (Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:1-10). Are not we all.

Soli deo Gloria,