The birth of Jesus is evidence of God's steadfast faithfulness . . .
- JOSEPH'S GENEALOGY
1:1-17 The New Testament, and the Book of Matthew, opens with Joseph's genealogy. As the adoptive-father of Jesus, and husband of Mary, Joseph is significant. In verses 1-16, Joseph's ancestors are traced back to Abraham and Sarah.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. Matthew 1:17
Abraham and David are specifically mentioned because each of their lives represent significant moments in the history of the family through which Jesus would be born. Abraham is specifically mentioned because it was with Abraham that God first established His covenant.
... the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. Genesis 17:1-8
In Genesis through II Samuel, we see this portion of the everlasting covenant fulfilled: In the Old Testament, God's people were initially named the tribes of Israel. They were a large group of tribes born from the twelve sons of Jacob, Abraham's grandson, (who was renamed Israel by God). Jacob's sons, turned into generations and tribes of people, were counted as God's people because they descended from Abraham and were thus included in the covenant.
David is specifically mentioned because he was the first rightful king, one appointed by God because of his tremendous love for God. Through David, God transformed the tribes of Israel into a kingdom.
The "carrying away" mentioned in Matthew 1:17 refers to Israel and Judah (the twelve tribes split into two kingdoms) when they were taken into captivity by Assyria and Babylon, respectively as a result of their unfaithfulness to the covenant.
The tribes may not have been faithful to God but God remained faithful to them. He remains faithful to us. Evidence of both statements is the birth of Jesus and the redemption we receive through Him. Indeed David was the first king appointed by God but Jesus is the ultimate King. The King of kings, Revelation 19:16.
- CHILD OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1:18 God informed Mary of His plan to have her conceive a child of His Holy Spirit before she conceived.
... the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-35; 37-38
- THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED
1:19-23 Joseph, however, was informed after it already occurred. Therefore, Joseph initially interpreted Mary's pregnancy as evidence of betrayal. He responded accordingly, but not ungraciously. Joseph mulled over the situation, and planned to quietly end their engagement. But he chose not to publicly accuse or shun Mary. And it was perhaps this solemn and compassionate behavior that convinced the Lord to visit Joseph and inform him of what was actually happening.
The Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and informed him that through Mary, He was fulfilling prophesy.
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 7:14With the God-given knowledge that Mary was a vessel for the purposes of the Holy Spirit, he was able to reconcile his heart with Mary.
- AS THE LORD HAD BIDDEN HIM
1:22-25 Joseph married Mary; but she remained a virgin until the birth. Following the Lord's instruction, they named the baby Jesus ("yeshua: savior), Immanuel, God with us.