He Shall Save His People From Their Sins

Matt. 1:18-25 He Shall Save His People From Their Sins

Espousals - Ceremony of betrothing, or coming under obligation for the purpose of marriage a mutual binding agreement between two parties, often taking place years before the actual marriage. This ceremony usually included the giving and receiving of gifts, The giver promising marriage, the receiver accepting them confirmed the agreement. In the early church these gifts were recorded publicly.

We see a spiritual glimpse of this in 2 Corinthians 11:2-For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Paul says, I have written up the contract between you and Christ, He has given you great gifts, even the earnest of His Spirit, You accepted them confirming the agreement, I want to present you to Christ as the pure virgin that he was promised. Paul was worried about the devil coming and deceiving them as he did Eve.

This is the agreement Joseph and Mary were in. There was not a marital relationship, but they were legally bound to be married. You can see the predicament that Joseph was in. What would you do? I'm sure people talked, it would spread,

To put her away publicly could cost her life, You can see that not only was Joseph a just man, he really loved Mary.