Study the Bible with Pastor Gregory

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1. His Dilemma as a Just Man – 1:18-20a
   
   
1. The Assessment of Infidelity – v. 18
   
   
1. Joseph and Mary were two young people who were brought together by the will of God through their close affinity to one another in faith and godliness – "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph …"
2. Joseph had found himself quite satisfied with the woman that God had provided him and was in the middle of a formal period of engagement when Mary goes on a trip to visit Elizabeth – staying for 3 months – cp. Luke 1:26-56.
3. When Mary returns, she is three months pregnant and "was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit."
4. Notice that in the next verse, Joseph is already considered Mary’s "husband" – cp. v. 19
1. The Jewish engagement was a time when the couple was already considered having entered into an official & covenantal relationship.
2. As such, it could only be broken off by a writ of divorcement or by death.
5. However, at the moment, all Joseph had was Mary’s explanation – Joseph had not yet heard from God.
6. What was Joseph supposed to think? – he knew that he had not violated the moral law of God and was only left to conclude that Mary had been unfaithful and was not as pure as he supposed.
   
   
2. The Alternative of Integrity – vv. 19-20a
   
   
1. We are told that Joseph was "a righteous man" – meaning that his conduct was guided by his fear of God
2. Being faithful to the Lord, Joseph concludes that he cannot marry this woman because she is clearly a fornicator.
3. He was caught between a high regard for the Law of God and his deep love and devotion for Mary.
4. He had three possible choices:
1. Public shame – This would have cause his own vindication and her death - Deuteronomy 22:13-21
2. Divorce – He could have written her a bill of divorcement and broken off the engagement – in a private matter without formerly charging her with a capital offence – Deuteronomy 24:1
3. Ignore it and move on marrying her and raising her child.
5. Because he was righteous, he could not ignore the Law of God and therefore could not marry her.
6. Having been described as a righteous man, it indicates that he was a truly godly man – one who also possesses the awareness of God’s mercy.
7. Therefore, in an era that was dominated by self-righteous people pursuing the "letter of the law," Joseph "did not want to disgrace her, [and] wanted to send her away secretly."
   
   
2. His Deliverance Through a Joyous Message – 1:20b-23
   
   
1. The Identity of the Child – v. 20b
   
   
1. He was pondering these things – attempting to figure out what should be done about it, and which option he ought to pursue – "But when he had considered this, …"
2. He was in the process of making up his mind when God intervened and sent him a message regarding what was truly happening.
3. Essentially, this message verified what Mary was saying and Joseph was informed concerning the fact that this child was not just a baby, He was the Son of God.
4. We are told that "an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit."
5. God recognized the righteous character of Joseph and wanted Joseph to serve Him as the earthly father of God’s Son.
   
   
2. The Importance of the Child – vv. 21-23
   
   
1. The commission given to him was one of greatest importance – "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."
1. Joseph, who would serve as the father, was commissioned to name the boy – Jesus: "Salvation is of the Lord"
2. Clearly Joseph is given the responsibility of rearing the boy.
2. The calling of God was of greatest importance for several reasons:
1. The purpose of the boy would be to address the sin problem from which that every man suffers – "save His people from their sins."
2. He would personally fulfill the Old Testament prophecies regarding a Messiah – "Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet …"
3. This was God made flesh – "God with us."
   
   
3. His Dedication to a Justified Mandate – 1:24-25
   
   
1. He Assumed Marital Responsibility – v. 24
   
   
1. Joseph here, with a trust in God’s Word – however fantastic – takes Mary as his wife – "And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife."
2. Doing this meant that he would go through the stigma of public disgrace, the ruination of his reputation, and the wrath of the community on him as a man who defiled the woman – cp. Luke 4:22; John 8:41.
3. He nevertheless obeys the voice of God and marries the woman, and becomes the legal father of the child.
   
   
2. He Assured Moral Reverence – v. 25
   
   
1. We are told that Joseph honored Mary by "keeping her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son"
2. This portrays him as a man who is not only obedient to the command, but honorable in his conduct in general, possessing a reverence for both Mary and Jesus until such a time as the child was born.
3. After Jesus’ birth, Mary gave birth to several other children – at least six – cp. Matthew 13:55-56
1. Joseph and Mary had at lease two daughters according to v. 56 because the word is in the plural.
2. They also had four boys;
1. James
2. Joseph
3. Simon
4. Judas
4. .He further obeyed the Lord by naming the boy what he was instructed: "and he called His name Jesus."
   
   

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