Joseph and the Incarnation

["Click here for Matthew's account"]

Notice the emphasis that Matthew, writing to the Jews, puts on the fulfillment of scripture. He deals with Joseph rather than Mary. It would appear that Mary is the one who tells Joseph of her condition, and being a just man, he decides to divorce her quietly, but, an Angel appears to Joseph in a dream and basically tells him what Luke describes as being told to Mary. Matthew reminds us that all of this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Prophet Isaiah, "Behold a virgin shall conceive and bare a son and his name shall be called Emmanuel."

Notice Mary's condition is brought to light before she and Joseph are married. However, the marriage contract had been made and Joseph did not want to shame Mary in any way, so after the revelation of the Angel, he decided to honor the contract but not to know his wife until after the baby was born.

Notice that both are told to call him "Jesus". Jesus is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name Joshua. Joshua means, Jehovah is Salvation. "You shall call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins, neither is there salvation in any other." Isaiah called him "Emmanuel" (Immanuel) meaning God is with us.

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