God's Son

Mercy is a Righteous Trait

“being a righteous man, Matthew makes clear that Joseph is compassionate because he righteous, not the other way around.

The Law states that those who are proven to be adulterers (remember that the law makes it very hard to prove it) should be stoned to death.

Many people in Joseph’s time would have considered that to be righteous

In this time, The Roman government would likely not have given the Jewish leaders the authority to authorize capital punishment, so Jewish governing documents from that time say the least should be done is give a certificate of divorce

Divorce certificates are given very publicly and ensure shame

Jesus, Son of David; Son of God

As Joseph’s son, Jesus is of the line of David

Matthew recounts this story from Joseph’s point of view.

Joseph is given the name, and then he is the one who names Jesus.

In this culture, the father is the only one who had the right to give a baby its legal name.

This is a symbol of John as the earthly father of Jesus

Jesus’ conception and name make him the Son of God

His name is Jesus (Yeshua/ Joshua) which means “YHWH saves”

He is prophesied to be named “God with us.” He shows up and is named, “God saves.” So he is the God with us, and what can be said about this God? He saves his people.

*Joshua vs Immanuel*