Joel M Bradshaw

18Now 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. 19And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 24When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.–Matthew 1

Joseph was linked in the genealogy of chapter 1 with a royal ancestor, King Ahaz of Judah.

…and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah… (Matthew 1:9, with emphasis)

Ahaz had a geopolitical crisis. In those days, God’s people had been split into two distinct nations. In the north was Israel and in the south Judah. While Ahaz was king, the Assyrians were the attacking force that everyone feared. In between Judah an Assyria was the nations of Israel and Syria. Isaiah chapter 7 pictured Israel and Syria forming an alliance to stand up to Assyria.

The alliance then threatened Judah with an ultimatum. Judah either joined them in the fight against Assyria or they would conquer Judah themselves and add more forces to their alliance. In the process, they would depose Ahaz a king and set up a ruler in his place. Ahaz was afraid and in a seemingly impossible situation. It was at this point that God sent Isaiah to talk to Ahaz.

Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:10-14)

In the midst of Ahaz’ fear was the God who cared and would guarantee matters with a sign. God would be with them no matter how difficult their situation seemed. This Immanuel was linked to salvation from their enemies. Now was the time to trust God!

Joseph was in his own seemingly impossible situation. And God called him to faithful obedience and trust. God would send Immanuel who would deliver people from an enemy greater than Assyria–people’s own sins!

God being with us is only meaningful to our situations if we trust God. God expects that trust and in that faith, he saves us. Ahaz did not trust God. And although Assyria would not wipe out Jerusalem, Babylon later would. Joseph indeed trusted God and is a model of that trust and obedience for us all.

What seemingly impossible situation are you facing as we start 2023? The promise of Immanuel should result in trust and dependance upon the very God who is with you as you journey through your mess. Immanuel is Jesus, the very salvation of God.

Matthew linked Joseph to Ahaz twice in his opening Gospel chapter. You either trust God or you don’t. You are either like Ahaz or like Joseph. Much to ponder. Happy New Year!–JMB