Page 12 - April 2026 - Truth & Tidings

Israel. But the man who wrote 28:19 had a Living the Dream
much wider audience ultimately in mind
– “Go therefore and make disciples of all “Then Joseph being raised from sleep
nations” (ESV). This wonderful salvation did as the angel of the Lord had bidden
from sins is available to all since God him, and took unto him his wife” (Mat
“wants all people to be saved and to come 1:24). Like his “wife” Mary earlier (Luk
to a knowledge of the truth” (1Ti 2:4 NET). 1:38), Joseph was obedient to the message
Not all are in agreement about when given by the angel. There was no resis-
the angel stopped speaking to Joseph. I tance, no argument, just plain submission
happen to think Matthew 1:22-23 are still to the Word of God. Joseph began to live
recording what Joseph heard in his dream, out the details of his dream, and he took
especially given the first words of verse 24. the first step by finalizing his marriage
If this is true, then Matthew included this to Mary.
not simply for the benefit of his readers, “And [Joseph] knew her not till she
but to show us that Joseph would have had brought forth her firstborn son: and
been encouraged by the promise that what he called his name JESUS” (Mat 1:25).
was happening was fulfilling Scripture. The phrase “knew her not till” clearly
“Now all this was done, that it might be suggests that Jesus’ earthly brothers and
fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord
by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin sisters (12:46; 13:55-56) were subsequently
shall be with child, and shall bring forth born to Joseph and Mary in the usual
a son” (vv22-23). Fulfillment of prophecy way. There is no biblical support for the
is front and center in Matthew’s account of teaching of Mary’s “perpetual virginity.”
Christ’s birth (see also 2:15,17-18,23). And Also, the last phrase of our chapter is im-
the particular prophecy fulfilled here is portant, for note that Joseph named Jesus.
Isaiah 7:14. Much ink has been spilled over By this action, he accepted legal paternity,
the years debating the meaning of “vir- formally acknowledging Jesus as his Son,
gin” in Isaiah’s prophecy. Although the which would also constitute Christ as
Hebrew word alma can indeed mean “a “Son of David.”
young woman,” it is clear from Matthew’s It is striking that we never hear Joseph
quotation that he intends us to interpret say a word, not only in this section of
this word as meaning “virgin,” using the Scripture but everywhere else we find
Greek word parthenos. Interestingly, the him. Even the once-mute Zacharias had
Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old
Testament) translated alma in Isaiah 7:14 as more to say than the earthly father of the
parthenos. Christ was indeed virgin-born. Savior. But the lesson we learn from his
Not only was Christ born of a virgin, but life is powerful: actions speak louder than
He would be called “Emmanuel, which words, and every time we see Joseph, we
being interpreted is, God with us” (Mat see a man submitting to the Word of God!
1:23). These are staggering but true words. And he was greatly rewarded with the
We say with the apostle Paul, “Great is the blessing of having Emmanuel in his home
mystery of godliness: God was manifest in and in his life. If our lives are marked by
the flesh” (1Ti 3:16). There has never been similar obedience, what glorious rewards
a child like this Child! await us also. And it won’t be a dream!

108 TRUTH kTidings April 2026