Matthew Ch 1 Group Notes

Matthew 1:17–25 NRSVue

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations. 18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.

Isaiah 7 Summarized

In the time of King Ahaz of Judah, he faced threats from King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah of Israel, causing fear among his people. The LORD instructed the prophet Isaiah to reassure Ahaz not to fear these adversaries, declaring that their plans would not succeed. Isaiah emphasized the importance of faith, warning that without it, Ahaz would not stand. The LORD offered Ahaz a sign, but he declined to ask for one. Consequently, Isaiah announced that a young woman would bear a son named Immanuel, symbolizing God's presence. Isaiah foretold that before the child could discern good from evil, the lands of Ahaz's enemies would be desolate. The prophecy included a warning of impending hardship, with the land becoming overgrown and unproductive, reflecting the consequences of the looming Assyrian threat.