Why is it important that Mary was "pledged to be married" to Joseph? Setting the Scene: Betrothal in First-Century Israel - “His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph” (Matthew 1:18). - Betrothal (kiddushin) lasted about a year. • Legally binding—breaking it required divorce (Matthew 1:19). • The couple did not yet live together or consummate the marriage (Luke 1:34). Legal Weight of Betrothal - Because the pledge was already a covenant, Joseph is called Mary’s “husband” (Matthew 1:19). - This status gave Mary: • Legal protection under Joseph’s name. • Social credibility when her pregnancy became visible. - It also protected the unborn Messiah; Jewish law shielded a betrothed woman from accusations that could end in stoning (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). Prophetic Foundations Fulfilled - Messiah must come from David’s royal line (2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 11:1). - Joseph, “a descendant of David” (Luke 1:27), legally transfers that lineage to Jesus. • “Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ” (Matthew 1:16). - The betrothal sets up the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14: “Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son.” • Mary is still a virgin; Joseph’s role safeguards that prophetic sign. Guarding Mary’s Purity and Reputation - Luke 1:34 captures Mary’s astonishment: “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” - Her pledged status explains both her virginity and her virtue—she is morally pure and also under covenant. - Joseph’s willingness to “take Mary home as his wife” (Matthew 1:24) covers her honor and shields her from slander. Securing Jesus’ Davidic Lineage - Adoption was legally powerful in Jewish culture. • By naming the child (Matthew 1:25), Joseph confers full legal sonship. - Jesus qualifies for the throne of David both legally (through Joseph) and biologically (through Mary’s own Davidic ancestry; cf. Luke 3:23-38). Demonstrating the Virgin Birth - The phrase “before they came together” (Matthew 1:18) underscores that conception occurred apart from human agency. - The miracle is highlighted, not obscured, by Mary’s pledged but unconsummated status. • “That which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20). Foreshadowing the Church’s Relationship to Christ - Betrothal imagery later describes believers: “I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2). - Mary and Joseph’s covenant anticipates the ultimate wedding of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7). Practical Takeaways for Believers Today - God works through established covenants; He honors His own design for marriage. - Purity matters—Mary’s virginity was essential to prophecy and to Christ’s sinless nature (Hebrews 7:26). - Faithful obedience in ordinary duties (Joseph’s integrity, Mary’s submission) plays a role in God’s extraordinary plans. - The Lord orchestrates details—legal, social, prophetic—to accomplish redemption “when the time had fully come” (Galatians 4:4). |
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