Matthew 1:18-25 – The Strength of God’s One

Matthew is very good about using prophesy to back his writings about Jesus. This passage begins a long string of answered prophecies that reveal the Messiah and show once again that God in His sovereignty is with us.

Joseph is an important figure for Matthew. Joseph does not get much attention but rightly so. The interesting thing we read here is that Joseph does not immediately demand the execution of his bride to be. By Jewish law, he had every right to ask for her execution once she was found to be with child.

Here is an amazing statement about marriage.

1. They were pledged to be married and that bound them together even they did not have sexual relations. I have heard too many times about people who use “annulment” as a means of ending a marriage. Such people have very little respect for this beautiful institution of God and little respect for the seriousness of their vows!
2. Divorce was not a happy occasion. Divorce brought disgrace especially to those who were unfaithful to their vows. Joseph refused to allow his bride to face such disgrace so he elected to divorce her privately. What happened to the thought of disgrace in divorce today?
3. Honoring God was more important than anything else. After the visit from the angel, Joseph immediately went for Mary and brought her home as his wife. Baby or not, he choose love. He loved her because he loved God. He loved her regardless of her condition. He loved her and refused to dishonor God. I do not know who else would be so gracious. Many people today divorce or separate when the going gets too tough and refuse to fight for their marriage.
4. Joseph is a man’s man when we talk about marriage. He proved his love for her by waiting for the “Christ” to be born. Then, as we see later in Scripture, he gives Mary more children. A vindictive man could not have done this. Too many fathers refuse to be fathers. There are too many men missing from marriages and from the lives of their children. Joseph sets the standard high and men need to “man up” and accept this challenge of manhood!
5. Prayer is answered for the righteous. Because Joseph was righteous (he did things that honored God), God sent an angel to comfort Joseph’s troubled heart. I cannot imagine the reaction I would have had if my wife came to me before we were to be married and said she was pregnant. Joseph’s world may have felt like it was falling down around him, and yet he takes the time to hear from God and act accordingly.

The birth of Jesus is an absolute miracle. Look at the imagery we see here. Jesus came to reconcile the world pregnant with sin unto God who heals sin. Jesus came to pledge faithfulness to an unfaithful world. Jesus came to repair the breakup of the marriage between man and God (as seen the parables and even Song of Solomon). Jesus brought honor to His Father above His own comfort and life. Jesus was a man’s man who was not afraid to love and could drive evil out of a Temple at the same time (The Dos Equis dude doesn’t even come close to Jesus!). Jesus was all about prayer – so much so that He bled.

Examine your relationships and marriage, look to God as the example, and find peace. What God puts together – nothing can break apart, unless you let go. Are you letting go? Just remember that He never forsakes us, He puts up with our mistakes and imperfections, and He will always reach out for our hand. When He has us, He will never let us go! He is always faithful and not a fair weather friend. I hope you find peace in His faithfulness today.

• How do your relationships hold up to the standards set by Joseph?
• Are you willing to fight for your marriage no matter how much pain may surface?
• What is the last straw, and does it measure up to God’s standard? If so, how? If not, then what do you need to do?