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NASB | Matthew 1:18 ¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 1:18 ¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by [the power of] the Holy Spirit. |
Bible Question:
Way was Mary chosen as the mother of Jesus? At time of spirtual conception, Were Joseph and Mary married or not? In Matthew 1:18-19 It describes Joseph and Mary as being "pledged", then goes on to say that "Joseph her Husband" contemplated divorce to save her from disgrace. Thank-you very much inadvance. |
Bible Answer: kstraig1: Thanks for your two-part question, or, more properly, your two separate questions that were somewhat related to one another. To each you have received sound, scripturally-oriented answers, so I won't touch directly on either of them in my post, but rather opt to write a few words in indirect response to your question, "Why was Mary chosen as the mother of Jesus?" ...... I'm aware that kalos has responded to that question and his response is quite good, and what he says is true. ..... Let's think some more about this subject of the sovereignty of God. If we can catch even a pale understanding of what the idea of the sovereignty of God really means, it will, I submit, spare us from asking so many questions that are prefaced by such phrases as Why did God, or Why didn't God, do thus and so? Why, for example, did God choose Mary to be the mother of Jesus? Clearly this falls within the broad spectrum of questions that can, should, and indeed can only be dealt with merely by citing the sovereignty of God, unless, of course, we are willing to allow ourselves to fall prey to the temptation to engage ad infinitum in pointless speculation. ...... Sovereignty means God is the supreme Ruler over all. For want of a better word, we use 'transcendent' to describe the nature and attributes of God -- meaning that there is nothing else in the finite, created universe with which to compare Him who is infinite; He who is not created but the Creator of all things. ..... All creation is subject to His will and purposes; everything is subject to His judgment. Man is not a puppet on a string but a free moral agent; still and all, man is subject to God's will and purposes. God is ultimately in control of all His creation. Even Satan is powerless to oppose the work of God unless God so permits. Satan could not attack Job until he got permission of God (Job 1, 2). ...... Christians should find a great deal of comfort, peace and joy in the knowledge that God is in control of every circumstance in their lives. But some, alas, appear all too eager to take over the helm for themselves. Echoes of Eden. ....... A fitting way to close this brief comment on the sovereignty of God are the lovely words of Ephesians 1:7-12 "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things to him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the council of his will" (ESV). ..... Some of the ideas expressed on the sovereignty of God have been adapted from the footnote on Ephesians 1:8, King James Study Bible, Thomas Nelson, publisher. ...... "(God) works all things according to the council of his will" .... therein lies the answer to a host of questions that begin with "Why did God?" (do thus and so). It may not be exactly the answer you were looking for and would like to have in regard to why God chose Mary, but, dear one, it's the only answer we have this side of glory. --Hank |