Before Joseph Could Pray Series

“Before Joseph Could Pray”

Matthew 1:18-25

Ever had a time in your life when you thought you had it all figured out, only to discover that was not what happened?

I can only imagine this event in Matthew as a shock to Joseph.

One moment everything was going just as it should; He and Mary were espoused to be married and in the blink of an eye everything changed.

Vs. 18 “…..she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”

If we look at Luke 1:26-56 you will find that after Mary had spoken to Gabriel, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist.

Luke 1:56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

There is a difference in the walk of a woman who is with child and I can only imagine word had been spread that Mary was walking like she was with child.

We do not have any evidence that Mary tried to explain this to her betrothed husband.

Imagine Mary standing before Joseph with tears running down her face; Thinking, no matter what she said would be misunderstood.

So here we are in our text.

Matthew 1:18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Notice the messenger said to Mary and then confirmed it with Joseph “she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Holy - characteristic of God, Its highest application is to God himself, in his purity, majesty and glory.

Ghost - “pneuma” the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son

Matthew 1:19 “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.”

I love the compassion that Joseph had toward his betrothed wife, Mary.

His options were very few -

1. Take her publicly to the magistrate and declare her infidelity. Stone her or

2. Walk away quietly and let the talking and rumors begin.

Either way would be devastating toward Mary.

It seems he was leaning toward the less-harsh choice.

I. A Restless Night Vs. 20

Here is the “Prayer before Joseph could even pray.”

Vs.20 “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”

The angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream – vs. 24

Angel - Messenger of God

Who is this messenger? Some speculate that it was the same angel that spoke to Mary, and I am not opposed to that thought, but the Bible does not say.

(When the Bible is silent so should we be) Don’t place traditions above the Word of God!

Joseph, thou son of David – The angel confirms with this statement that he is sending a message to the right person and the right family.

It is a fulfilling of a prophecy that the line of David would bring forth the promised Messiah.

Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife;

Do not be afraid to bring any reproach or scandal upon yourself.

Mary is your espoused wife, solemnly betrothed to thee; take her home to live with her as your wife, and openly declare her as such.

For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost; - she has not been guilty of any criminal conversation with men; and explains it in the next verse.

Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

JESUS - "Jehovah is salvation" the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate

II. Prophecy Fulfilled Vs.22-23

Matthew 1:22-23 “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 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.”

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

III. A New Direction Taken Vs.24

Matthew 1:24 “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:”