The prophecy here quoted is justly ushered in with a Behold, which commands both attention and admiration; for we have here the mystery of godliness, which is, without controversy, great, that God was manifested in the flesh.
1. The sign given us, that the Messiah shall be born of a virgin. A virgin shall conceive, and, by her, he shall be manifested in the flesh. The word Almah signifies a virgin, in the strictest sense, such as Mary professes herself to be, Luke 1. 34. I know not a man; nor had it been any such wonderful sign as it was intended for, if it had been otherwise. It was intimated from the beginning that the Messiah should be born of a virgin, when it was said that he should be the Seed of the woman; so the Seed of the woman, as not to be the seed of any man. Christ was born of a virgin, not only because his birth was to be supernatural, and altogether extraordinary, but because it was to be spotless, and pure, and with out any stain of sin. Christ would be born, not of an Empress or Queen, for he appeared not in outward pomp or splendour, but of a virgin, to teach us spiritual purity, to die to all the delights of sense, and so to keep ourselves unspotted from the world and the flesh, that we may be presented chaste virgins to Christ.
2. The truth proved by this sign is, that he is the Son of God, and the Mediator between God and man; for they shall call his name Immanuel; that is, he shall be Immanuel; when it is said He shall be called, it is meant, he shall be, the Lord our Righteousness. Immanuel signifies God with us; a mysterious name, but very precious; God incarnate among us, and so God reconcilable to us, at peace with us, and taking us into covenant and communion with himself. The people of the Jews had God with them, in types and shadows, dwelling between the cherubim; but never so as when the Word was made flesh—that was the blessed Shechinah. What a happy step is hereby taken toward the settling of a peace and correspondence between God and man, that the two natures are thus brought together in the person of the Mediator; by this he became an unexceptionable Referee, a Days-Man, fit to lay his hand upon them both, since he partakes of the nature of both. Behold, in this, the deepest mystery, and the richest mercy, that ever was. By the light of nature, we see God as a God above us; by the light of the law, we see him as a God against us; but by the light of the gospel, we see him as Immanuel, God with us, in our own nature, and (which is more) in our interest. Herein the Redeemer commended his love. With Christ's name Immanuel we may compare the name given to the gospel church. (Ezek. 48. 35.) Jehovah Shammah—The Lord is there; the Lord of hosts is with us.
Nor is it improper to say that the prophecy which foretold that he should be called Immanuel, was fulfilled in the design and intention of it, when he was called Jesus; for if he had not been Immanuel—God with us, he could not have been Jesus—A Saviour; and herein consists the salvation he wrought out, in the bringing of God and man together; this was what he designed, to bring God to be with us, which is our great happiness, and to bring us to be with God, which is our great duty.
VI. Joseph's obedience to the divine precept; (v. 24.) being raised from sleep by the impression which the dream made upon him, he did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, though it was contrary to his former sentiments and intentions; he took unto him his wife; he did it speedily, without delay, and cheerfully, without dispute; he was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. Extraordinary direction like this we are not now to expect; but God has still ways of making known his mind in doubtful cases, by hints of providence, debates of conscience, and advice of faithful friends; by each of these, applying the general rules of the written word, we should, therefore, in all the steps of our life, particularly the great turns of it, such as this of Joseph's, take direction from God, and we shall find it safe and comfortable to do as he bids us.
VII. The accomplishment of the divine promise; (v. 25.) She brought forth her first-born son. The circumstances of it are more largely related, Luke 2. 1, &c. Note, That which is conceived of the Holy Ghost never proves abortive, but will certainly be brought forth in its season. What is of the will of the flesh, and of the will of man, often miscarries; but if Christ be formed in the soul, God himself has begun the good work which he will perform; what is conceived in grace, will, no doubt, be brought forth in glory.
It is here further observed, 1. That Joseph, though he solemnized the marriage with Mary, his espoused wife, kept at a distance from her while she was with child of this holy thing; he knew her not till she had brought him forth. Much has been said concerning the perpetual virginity of the mother of our Lord; Jerome was very angry with Helvidius for denying it. It is certain that it cannot be proved from scripture. Dr. Whitby inclines to think, that when it is said, Joseph knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born, it is intimated that, afterward, the reason ceasing, he lived with her, according to the law, Exod. 21. 10. 2. That Christ was the First-Born; and so he might be called, though his mother had not any other children after him, according to the language of scripture. Nor was it without a mystery that Christ is called her First-Born, for he is the First-born of every creature, that is, the Heir of all things; and he is the First-Born among many brethren, that in all things he may have the pre-eminence. 3. That Joseph called his name Jesus, according to the direction given him. God having appointed him to be the Saviour, which was intimated in his giving him the name Jesus, we must accept of him to be our Saviour, and, in concurrence with that appointment, we must call him Jesus, our Saviour.
CHAP. II.
In this chapter, we have the history of our Saviour's infancy, where we find how early he began to suffer, and that in him the word of righteousness was fulfilled, before himself began to fulfil all righteousness. Here is, I. The wise men's solicitous inquiry after Christ, v. 1..8. II. Their devout attendance on him, when they found out where he was, v. 9..12. III. Christ's flight into Egypt, to avoid the cruelty of Herod, v. 13..15. IV. The barbarous murder of the infants of Bethlehem, v. 16..18. V. Christ's return out of Egypt into the land of Israel again, v. 19..23.
1.NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet. 6. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of
Vol. v.—C
