BSF 7-Day Challenge: Day 2 — God Reassures Joseph: Matthew 1:18-25

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 1:18-25

Mary became pregnant while betrothed to Joseph. Joseph, knowing that he was not the father, wanted to divorce Mary but in a quiet way. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph as he slept and reassured him that Mary is faithful. Mary’s child she carries is from the Holy Spirit and is to be named Jesus, meaning “the Lord saves.” This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14.

Joseph believed the angel. He took Mary as his wife but did not lie with her until after the birth of Jesus.

QUESTIONS FOR BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 2: GOD REASSURES JOSEPH: MATTHEW 1:18-25

1 ) Joseph’s immediate thought was to divorce Mary, but he cared for her, so he was willing to do it quietly so she would not be disgraced.

2 ) An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph as he slept and reassured him that Mary is faithful. Mary’s child is from the Holy Spirit and is to be named Jesus, meaning “the Lord saves.” This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14.

3 ) Jesus and Immanuel. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, meaning “the Lord saves” or “Yahweh is Salvation.” Immanuel means “God with us.” While Joshua saved his people from marauders in the Promised Land, Jesus would save his people for all of eternity.

4 ) Joseph believed the angel. He did not divorce Mary. Instead, he took Mary as his wife but did not lie with her until after the birth of Jesus.

CONCLUSIONS TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 2: GOD REASSURES JOSEPH: MATTHEW 1:18-25

It was so important to tell Joseph that Mary was caring Jesus that God sent an angel to do so. After all, this is the son of God. If Joseph had decided to go ahead and divorce Mary, she would have been disgraced. This would have jeopardized the life and livelihood of Mary and Jesus’s stature would have been forever marked at illegitimate. Plus, it would serve to discredit Mary’s story that her baby was from God.

God chose Mary and Joseph to be the earthly mother and father of Jesus for a reason. God had to make sure both parents would raise Jesus.

COMMENTARY TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 2: GOD REASSURES JOSEPH: MATTHEW 1:18-25

Having Jesus come from a divorced family would have been akin to a social outcast in the time of ancient Israel. This was not in God’s plan. Mary and Joseph were Godly people, and God needed both to achieve his mission. God left no room for Jospeh to doubt his course: to marry Mary. Would this end sociatal suspicion? No. But it would guarantee Jesus’s parents. That was what mattered to God.

Remember that Joseph is the direct relative to King David. Mary is a direct relative through Nathan, David’s son. So, it was crucial that Joseph be the father in order to preserve Jesus’s credibility as the chosen king in the eyes of the Jewish people. We see Jesus’s human genealogy next to his divine conception and incarnation on earth as Immanuel. This sets the stage for Jesus’s growth and work that would lead to the cross. Brilliance by Matthew and his divine inspiration.

What Do We Learn?

We learn that following God’s will is not easy. We learn that God provides us with all that we need to follow his will. All we have to do is TRUST and FOLLOW. Contact me with questions!