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. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream . . .1
By tradition when a Jewish woman was betrothed to a man, it meant they were legally married only they have not lived together and have not sexually enjoyed each other as husband and wife. Imagine the shock or disbelief that Joseph felt when he heard that Mary was pregnant!
The NASB mentions Joseph as a righteous man.2 It is interesting that when Joseph was having thoughts of divorcing Mary quietly, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream—in fact, three times an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.3 God indeed communicates up to this date; we just have to quiet ourselves and listen. There are other means God chooses to communicate, e.g., deduced from Matthew: through his creation,4 as the wise men were searching, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw a star . . . ; through prophets, either spoken5 or written6—“’. . . for from you shall come a ruler who shall shepherd my people Israel.’”
Present day, we have the advantage since we have God’s words in written form, both OT and NT. Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.7 John further writes, My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.8 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true . . . , because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.9 The Scriptures are written for our encouragement, correction, and reminder that our sins have been atoned for by Jesus, that you know the Father, that you have overcome, that you are strong, and the word of God abides in you.10
Paul assures us, at the instance we believe in what Jesus had done on the cross for our salvation, the Holy Spirit indwells us.11 He guides us. Thus, like David, we have the boldness to say, the Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.12 God likewise communicates through leaders13 or through others as we habitually meet together.14
To the Jews hearing from God meant obeying.15 Lean-in and listen. The LORD is our righteousness.16
Notes:
1. Matthew 1:18-25
2. Matthew 1:19 [NASB]
3. Matthew 1:20; 2:13, and 2:19
4. Matthew 1:2 and 9
5. Matthew 1:22, 2:15, 17, and 23
6. Matthew 2:5-6
7. John 20:30-31
8. 1 John 2:1
9. 1 John 2:7-8
10. 1 John 2:12-14
11. Ephesians 1:13
12. Psalm 23:1-6
13. Hebrews 13:7
14. Hebrews 10:24-25
15. Deuteronomy 6:1-9
16. Jeremiah 23:5-6
