1st Coming - Understanding Prophecy
by
D. Yamartino
Page 37 of  57

Fulfillment:-
Now the birth of Jesus was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example , was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet, saying,. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel , which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:18-23 (37:1)

Commentary:-
Right away we see that this prophecy was not fulfilled in a way that could be predicted (37:2)

The scriptures promised that "a virgin shall conceive" and this is what happened, but the New Testament's reference to Joseph not being willing to disgrace her publicly seems to indicate that there was no great sign associated with this miraculous conception, no way for people to know that it was happening, or that it had occurred. The Bible doesn't indicate that the news of the virgin birth was spread to anyone. A crier did not go out through the city, and give the glad tidings of the virgin birth. No. The New Testament clearly indicates that the initial reaction to Mary's becoming pregnant would be the assumption that she certainly was not a virgin. Her own husband needed the reassurance of an angel that she had conceived of the Holy Ghost. In fact, there is no mention that anyone in the community at large was told or believed in the virgin birth, except Mary's cousin, Elisabeth. After the description of Christ's birth in the Gospels, that is the last we hear of the virgin birth. Not only do we find that knowledge of the virgin birth had not reached the ears of the people, there are clear references that during Christ's ministry, the people assumed that He was the son of Joseph (37:3)

Did Isaiah mention anywhere that although it would be a sign from "the Lord himself" generally, the virgin birth would be unknown to the people? That during the child's life, he would not have been known as the child of the virgin birth? Did he say that this virgin would have a husband? Could this situation have been inferred from Isaiah's prophecy? Did Isaiah say anywhere that even the man who would take this virgin as his wife, would want to divorce her because of the child? Did he give any hint as to the details that would surround the virgin birth? No. Isaiah simply referred to her conception as a sign from "the Lord himself" (37:4)

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