Mary vs. Joseph

Over 400 years separated the final events () and final prophecy () recorded in the Old Testament from the beginning actions () narrated in the New Testament (ca. 424–26 b.c.). Because there was no prophetic word from God during this time, this period is sometimes called “the four hundred silent years.” However, the history of these years followed the pattern predicted in Daniel (, ; ; ; ) with exact precision. Though the voice of God was silent, the hand of God was actively directing the course of events during these centuries.

For 400 years no one heard from a prophet of God. Many people were longing for God to speak. To some it felt like God had left them.

Here is the question in the religious leaders minds. Who would be the next great prophet? Who would God speak to.

Something scandalous took place. God spoke to a woman. Not even an old godly prophetess. A girl who was probably 14 years old.

Also, little did the religious leaders know that John the Baptist was about to appear. He was the last of the O.T. prophets. He lived under the O.T. system and never saw the Christ end the Old Covenant by his sacrifice.

Mary -

Best we can tell- Lived in her own house w/parents in Nazareth and was most likely poor.

Most likely between 12-14 years old. Common age for a girl in Bible times to be married.

Mary was betrothed. Betrothment is a promise of marriage, so serious that a divorce decree had to be issued.

Luke 1:26–38 ESV

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

What did Mary know?

An Angel was standing before her talking. (Big deal)

Considered “Favored of the Lord” we don’t know why. She was obviously a godly person.

The Holy Spirit will be the source of conception.

She will have a son.

Son’s name will be Jesus.

Jesus - Hebrew name for Joshua that means savior. Common name. No surprise. Joseph had ancestors named Joshua - so this would makes sense.

“Son the the Most High”

He will have Davids throne - Mary would have been taught that the savior would save them from Roman rule.

Promise to David

2 Samuel 7:16 ESV

16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”

2 Holy - Son of God.

Holy - Son of God.

What we don’t know if Jews were Trinitarian (debate) … we don’t know if Son of God would meant anything to Mary.

Consequence for Mary

Shunning by family

Shunning and divorce by Joseph

Her son rejected by family and culture

Homelessness

No future husband

No future job

Possible stoning

Complete security in the future lost.

Mary’s response - vs. 38

Luke 1:38 ESV

38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Luke

Whatever you want to do with my life - I am fully surrendered to that.

Prophecy to Abraham

Genesis 18:14 ESV

14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”

Now she had to tell Joseph

Friend of the Bride Groom - The young man the relayed messaged between the 2.

Or tell him herself -

How would you respond to your finance’s report of pregnancy?

“Joseph, I need to tell you something you won’t believe at first, but is true. An angel of God visited me. God of heaven has made me pregnant with a very special baby.”

Hurt, mad, angry, confused, ashamed of her, disgraced

-He does the most honorable thing, makes a decision that he should quietly divorce her.

-At this point Joseph knows Mary has ruined her life.

-Can you imagine Mary’s prayers before and after Joseph rejected her?

-Just when you think your life is ruined, God reaches out.

Matthew 1:18–25 ESV

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-

We don’t know a lot about Joseph. His father was probably a carpenter.

Luke 1:26-

Luke 1:26–38 ESV

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Joseph was probably between 19 and 21 years old.

Instead of taking revenge and embarrassing Mary, he decided to divorce her quietly. Word would still get out in a small town.

Joseph has a dream/vision. Angel appears to Him.

What Joseph knows:

An Angel appeared and spoke*** Big Deal

Mary was to be taken as his wife.

Why take her to be his wife?

Her pregnancy was indeed from the Holy Spirit.

Son named Joshua

Save his people from their sins

Immanuel “God with us”

Isaiah 7:14 ESV

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Jospeh’s Response - Belief in action. Joseph didn’t pause. Took Mary to be His wife.

What did Joseph risk?

Shunning by family

His son rejected by family and culture

Less work - people want to do business with a respected man.

Providing for the family

Accused of fornication

No future job

__________________________________

Complete security in the future lost.

Practical Conclusion - Direct and immediate obedience to God may impact you and your family long term.

Mary and Joseph were willing to take that risk. Why? They believed God spoke to them through an angel.

How will you be convinced of obeying God until in hurts?

You must be convinced that God’s Word is 100% accurate and trustworthy.

Example - A friend of mine lived in San Diego. He keeps up with several churches he had been involved planting. Now, those churches are embracing homosexual acts among married homosexuals.

The pressure on the churches and pastors to be ok with this is very high.

You will publically be known as a hater of homosexuals if you stand against this lifestyle.

Your grandchildren (if they are in high school) have gay friends and are dealing with this issue.

Every month, on average:

345 Christians are killed for faith-related reasons

105 Churches and Christian buildings are burned or attacked

219 Christians are detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned

When God asks you to follow Him, knowing that it will hurt, will you?

Friend of the Bride groom - John the Baptist

John 3:28–30 ESV

28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Friend of the Bridegroom had an important job

On the wedding day he escorted the bride to the groom.

John the Baptist announced the joining of the Bride (God’s people) and Groom (Christ).

Her