The biblical evidence : Matthew 1:18-25 1. Joseph and Mary were betrothed (1:18, 20, 24), a relationship regarded as the legal equivalent of marriage. In other words, betrothal could be broken only by a formal divorce. This is why Joseph is referred to as her “husband” (v. 19). 2. Although betrothed, the relationship had not yet been consummated sexually (see vv. 18, 25; also Luke 1:34). 3. Mary’s pregnancy is attributed to the Holy Spirit: a. Verse 20 – “of the Holy Spirit.” b. Verse 16 – “and to Jacob was born Joseph the husband of Mary, by/of whom [feminine] was born Jesus.” Matthew clearly excludes Joseph. c. Note that the repeated active verb (“was the father of” or “begot”) gives way to a divine passive in v. 16 (i.e., God is the active agent in the conception and birth of Jesus). 4. Joseph is instructed to take Mary into his house and to name the child (vv. 20-21) thereby establishing for Joseph legal paternity of the child. Hence the community came to believe that Joseph was Jesus’ father (Lk. 2:48; Mt. 13:55). Luke 1:26-38 1. Mary is explicitly identified as a “virgin” (parthenos, v. 27), a fact she confirms in v. 34. 2. Verse 35 clearly attributes the conception to the work of the Holy Spirit. 3. The terms translated “come upon” and “overshadow” (v. 35) are not euphemisms for sexual relations. They are simply figurative expressions for divine intervention by which God will supercede the natural order of things. 4. For the term “overshadow,” see Ex. 40:35; Psm. 91:4; 140:7; Mt. 17:5; Mk. 9:7; Lk. 9:34 (cf. also Gen. 1:2). The emphasis is on the powerful creative presence of the Spirit in bringing to pass the conception of the man Jesus.

Sam Storms

Post published:December 20, 2022

Index: World English Bible

Psalms 37

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37:1 <> Don’t fret because of evil-doers, Neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.

37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither like the green herb.

37:3 Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.

37:4 Also delight yourself in Yahweh, And he will give you the desires of your heart.

37:5 Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:

37:6 He will make your righteousness go forth as the light, And your justice as the noon day sun.

37:7 Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.

37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret, it leads only to evildoing.

37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off, But those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.

37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there.

37:11 But the humble shall inherit the land, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

37:12 The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth.

37:13 The Lord will laugh at him, For he sees that his day is coming.

37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To kill those who are upright in the way.

37:15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.

37:16 Better is a little that the righteous has, Than the abundance of many wicked.

37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But Yahweh upholds the righteous.

37:18 Yahweh knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever.

37:19 They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

37:20 But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of Yahweh shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish– Vanish like smoke.

37:21 The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, But the righteous give generously.

37:22 For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.

37:23 A man’s goings are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way.

37:24 Though he stumble, he shall not fall, For Yahweh holds him up with his hand.

37:25 I have been young, and now am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his children begging for bread.

37:26 All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His seed is blessed.

37:27 Depart from evil, and do good; Live securely forever.

37:28 For Yahweh loves justice, And doesn’t forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, But the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, And live in it forever.

37:30 The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.

37:31 The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.

37:32 The wicked watches the righteous, And seeks to kill him.

37:33 Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, Nor condemn him when he is judged.

37:34 Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way, And he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, Spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.

37:36 But he passed away, and, behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.

37:37 Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, For there is a future for the man of peace.

37:38 As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

37:40 Yahweh helps them, and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, Because they have taken refuge in him.