Luke 1:26-27 – And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
What an amazing introduction to this young couple. The betrothed couple of Joseph and Mary. This is a very important presentation that has valuable information. This was a couple, that according to Jewish law was no longer viewed by society as two individuals, but as one family. To break a betrothal, there would have to be a formal writ of divorce. This is such a foreign concept to almost all cultures in modern society. Especially with modern Western Culture who hold the concept of sex before marriage is an acceptable and necessary practice. However, this is not the view of historical Judaism, Islam, or Christianity.
Still, this is not just a practice of non-premarital sex, but a purposeful dedication to the one you are espoused to, so much that to desire another would be considered adulterous. Even with this acceptance of being basically already wed to one another they’re wedding day and consummation had not yet occurred. Both Joseph and Mary were unknown to one another, or anyone else. They are both virgins. To this couple was sent a messenger, Gabriel.
Gabriel was a messenger of God that was sent to Daniel to give an interpretation of a vision that was received in Daniel chapter 8. We also find out from Luke that the angel Gabriel also appeared to Zachariah and Elizabeth to let them know that their son would be filled with the “spirit of Elijah (Luke 1:17). Who was prophesied to come before the coming messiah. (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:1-3) This preceding of the messiah was prophesied by Isaiah and was fulfilled in John the Baptist. The messenger from God, Gabriel was assigned with explaining the fulfillment of the prophecy to the baby’s parents.
Likewise in such a manner, Gabriel had to explain the rest of the fulfillment to Joseph and Mary. Elizabeth was barren and past the age of delivery, but God made her barren womb to bear the child named John, who would become John the Baptist. The messenger Elijah who bore witness to the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He would finger Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah.
His birth would be glorified by angels, witnessed by shepherds and wise men who would bring gifts to celebrate the birth of the King of Heaven. Simeon would remark, “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32) Oh what a wonderful day for this elder of Israel to have his prayers answered, to lie down to sleep knowing that the salvation of the Lord God had finally come. God had come to his people and fulfilled the promises and prophecies.
One of which was the sign of his coming. Not only the fulfilling of the messenger before the message of salvation, but the method of his coming. He will be born flesh and blood. In a way more miraculous than a barren woman giving birth. This sign would be something impossible to reproduce, it God were not involved. It would ensure the holiness of the baby. This baby would be born of a virgin. This to would not be a last-minute detail, but a promised sign that is unique to this messiah.
Once again, the prophet Isaiah is called on to give this account of the Word of the Lord. “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23) and once again Gabiel would be called to explain to Mary and Joseph that they would be the ones by which the prophecy would be fulfilled. You see when Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6) he was standing on earth as the only one who had been born of the flesh and of the Spirit.
What a shame that some rogue translations of the English bible remove this word “virgin” from their translations. It is to their detriment that they alter the Word of God. They will be judged for this crime against God and for the souls they have mislead. They try to hide the facts, that Jesus is the Son of God, born of the virgin as prophesied. They try to dissuade you from the miraculous and powerful hand of God. They seek to make his word untrustworthy. But his word remains. “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18) The penalty for altering his word is severe. They bring the judgement and wrath of God upon themselves. (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19). The sad thing is that their in no excuse. Everyone who has altered the word of God is well aware of the consequences, they just have no fear of God, and therefore lack knowledge. For, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”(Proverbs 9:10)
Therefore, the scripture reads; “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.”
In the sixth month! The sixth month in the Hebrew calendar is a special month. It is a representation of the relationship of God to his people. Dvora Waysman wrote in the Jerusalem Post, September 2022, “There is a rabbinic allusion that the month was named from the initial letters of Ani le’dodi ve’dodi li (I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine), describing the relationship between God and His people.” [1]
With this special time of the year when Jews are considering their relationship to God, how much more fitting is the precious story of the arrival of Gabiel to the homes of Mary and Joseph. The special relationship between God and his people Israel just got “real”! God is coming in person! He has chosen you, a virgin! Even better… Mary… he knows your name. Joseph… he knows your name! How wonderful it is that Jesus says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)
The area of Galilee is also of great importance. The prophets Micah, Elijah, and Jonah are all mentioned as coming from the area of Galilee (Micah 1:1; 1 Kings 17:1; 2 Kings 14:25; Joshua 19:13) Many believe that Nahum and Hosea may have also come from the Galilee area. Isaiah prophesied that the messiah would come out of Galilee in Isaiah chapter 9.
Isaiah 11, Jeremiah 23, and 33 all indicate that the Messiah would come from the lineate of David, from the tribe of Judah. Even way back in Genesis 49:10 God promises that the scepter will not depart form Judah that the tribe is the Law giver is with them. In 1 Samuel 20:6 the scripture further solidifies the Messiah coming from the House of David, from Bethlehem. (1 Samuel 20:6; Micah 5:2)
This message is a divine orchestration of time and circumstance. It is important to showing the working of the divine will and authority in working in heavenly wisdom. God must fulfill his complete word. In a broken people, in a rebellious world, with an active enemy trying to make him break his word. Yet God put all the pieces together in his own time and in the manner he foretold. On top of this, he did it with a willing virgin. He did not violate anyone’s free will to complete his will.
What great lengths the God Almighty will go to so that he can keep his word. We can trust the Word of God. He is faithful. He is not bound by our understanding, or even our lack of faith.
Bibliography
WAYSMAN, D. (2022, September 17). Jewish Holidays. Retrieved from Jerusalem Post: https://www.jpost.com/judaism/jewish-holidays/article-717249
[1] (WAYSMAN, 2022) Article: What is special about Elui…
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