AN ANGEL APPEARS TO JOSEPH

Matt 1:18-21 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. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 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. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.

John the Baptist was now born. He was to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, who, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, identified John as the voice of one crying in the wilderness. And having this God-given responsibility, John was to Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight (See Isa. 40:3; Matt. 3:1-3). Promised before creation, the time had now come for the birth of the Messiah, the Son of God, Christ Jesus, through Whom God's plan of salvation was to be made available to all people of the world. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise. The angel, Gabriel, having already appeared to Mary and telling her that, in her virginity, she would miraculously conceive, bear a Son, and was to call His name Jesus. Although unmarried, she was espoused (promised in marriage) to Joseph. Therefore, being with child, this situation demanded an explanation. After her miraculous conception, Mary had spent three months visiting her cousin Elisabeth. It is possible that, due to this lengthy period of time prior to their marriage, it would be physically evident that she was pregnant. Whether or not Mary had advisedJoseph of her miraculous conception, we are not told. However, without further explanation, it was not possible, from a human standpoint, for Mary to explain her conception.

The lesson text tells us that Joseph was a just man, and desired to do what was right and just under these circumstances. In his tender, loving compassion, he was not willing to make her a public example. Joseph he had the right to expose Mary as one that had violated, not only her promised espousal to marry him, but the Law of Moses. That law stated that if a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and conceives a child outside that betrothal commitment, that she, along with the other man, shall be stoned with stones that they die (See Deut. 22:23-24). Probably because of his love for her, Joseph did not want Mary to be committed to this punishment. Instead, he was minded to put her away privily. Joseph, as a strict follower of the Mosaic Law, was evidently not willing to proceed with their marriage under these circumstances. Therefore, as explained by practically all bible scholars, he was willing to give her a bill of divorcement annulling their marriage as allowed under Jewish law (Deut. 24:1).

However, God interceded. As Joseph was considering these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream. Although he was not specifically named, it is commonly believed that this angel was also Gabriel, the same that had appeared to both Elisabeth and Mary. The angel said, 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. Identifying Joseph as of the lineage of David, through whom the Messiah was to descend, the angel explains Mary's conception. First he was told that he should not feel any reproach, guilt, or be afraid to proceed with his marriage to Mary, because her conception was not brought about by natural human means, but was performed in a miraculous way by God through His Holy Spirit. In other words, Joseph was told that, although Mary was with child, she was still a pure, virtuous woman, and worthy to become his wife.

Fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14, as noted in verses 22-23 following the lesson text, the angel of God assured Joseph of Mary's miraculous virgin conception. It was explained that Mary shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus, which means, "Jehovah's salvation," or "Savior." The angel further explained the reason for the birth of Jesus by telling Joseph that He (Jesus) shall save His people from their sins, that is, from eternal punishment that awaits the souls of unrepentant sinners that disobey the will of God. 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 till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name Jesus.