Matthew 1:18-25 – JOSEPH’S DILEMMA
It’s happened before! It will happen again! An engaged young lady is found to be pregnant by someone other than her intended husband. In this case the young lady is Mary, who was pregnant because of the work of the Spirit of God. You can imagine how hurt Joseph, who appears to be a godly man, must have felt.
JOSEPH’S CONFUSION – Vss. 18-19
Joseph did not realize that God the Holy Spirit was responsible for the pregnancy.
He was considering his options, the key one being that of divorce. In those days engaged people were considered “married” even before they did not yet live together. In the case of adultery there were the possibilities of stoning or a quiet divorce. Joseph, “being a just man” was considering the kinder of his options.
JOSEPH’S COMFORT – Vss. 20-23
Joseph was told not to fear taking Mary as his wife. The angel that appeared to Joseph explained that the pregnancy was the result of the work of God’s Holy Spirit. The child’s name was given as “Jesus” because He would the Savior of His people. (Vss. 20-21)
Verses 22-23 tell us that all of these things happened in fulfillment of prophecy. (Isaiah 7:14)
JOSEPH’S COMPLIANCE – Vss. 24-25
Joseph had the faith to believe the Angel’s message.
Joseph acted immediately to do as he was told.