The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 38

f,i<lence of Elisabeth in its full force. The whole was confirmed by the correspond- ence of prophetic limes, which hnd now a.,va.kened a general expectation. (3) The sequel proved that Joseph was not misled. (a) He had the" sign" that Mary should "bring forth a Son." God a.lone could certainly forecast this. (b) 'l'ha.t Son was to support the character of a Divine Saviour of sinners. Who but God could have fore- seen that this Child would ever claim to be such a Saviour, much less that he should behave miraculously consistently with that most difficult and lofty claim? 3. Because of its consi$tency with Scripture. (1) The miracle of the virgin-mother was a. pro- minent subject of ancient prophecy. (a) It dawned in the first promise (Gen. iii. 15), that the "Seed of the woman," viz. without the man-the issue therefore of a virgin- should "bruise the serpent's head." (b) It is explicitly set forth by Isaiah (vii. 14) in the passage cited in the text. Here we note the definite article-not "a virgin," but "the ,irgin (;i1:i',il;i)." One only such occu1Tence was ever to take place. (2) Another notable circumstance is that, according to Isaiah, the house of David was not to fail until this wonder should be accomplished. The sign was given expressly to reassure that house, now fearing extinction, when, after the slaughter perpetrated by Pekab, Judah was again invaded by Reziu. But, excepting in Jesus, the family of David is now difficult to trace. Surely this ought to convince the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. The certainty of our faith is established by many infallible proofs. Unreasonableness ls with unbelief. III. TnE HAND OF Gon IS EVIDEST INTIIE msTonY. 1. Wisely ordtredwas the espousal qf Mary to Joseph, not only to give value to his testimony, but also to shield the reputation of the virgin, and to afford her a.nd her infant a needful earthly guardian- ship. Note: A providence that is equo.l to all emergencies may well be trusted by Cluistians. 2. It is also a significant circumstance that Jesus received his name at the time qf his circumcision. '1.'o give the name at such a time was the common custom (Luke i. 59, 60). But in this case the name of Jesus was most appropriately given when that ulood was first shed without which there is no remission of sins. '1.'he. sign of circumcision l1ad its perfect accomplishment in the shedding of the blood of the covenant upon the cross. 3. This Name, with its reason, are a bleased revelation. There is no salvation but from sin. Sin carries its own punishment. The removal of 11in is the remission of punishment. Infinite mercy can only save Rinners from·punish- ment by saving them from ~in. 4. Jesus becomes incarnate again in every regenerate spirit. The reconciliation of the human to the Divine was first effected in the Person of Christ. As Christ is formed in us we become reconciled to God. Christ grows up in us as we grow up into him. The life of faith is a life of miracle.-J. A. M. Ver. 1.-The mission of genealogies. The Gospels contain two genealogies of Jesus the Messiah. Both relate to Joseph the reputed father of Jesus, and to Mary by virtue of her relatior.. as wife, or her family relation, to him. MaUhew's is the transcript of the public record, and traces the family line in a descending scale from· Abraham; Luke's is the private family genealogy, and it traces the family line in an ascending scale up to .Adam. Matthew takes the point of view of a Jew; Luke sees in Messiah a Saviour for humanity. It has been suggested that the Jew bore two names-what may be called a religious name, which would be used in the sacred records; and what may be called a secular name, which would be used in the civil lists. '1.'his may account for diversity in the forms of the names in these two genealogies. I. THE co.MMON MISSION OF GEN'EALOGIEB. Everybody does not jealously guard tho family records. Dut some do. '!'hey are felt to be important: 1. When there is family property. TLis is illustrated in the case of the Israelites. '1.'he land of Canaan was divi,ieJy allotted to the families, and it was inalienable (see the year of jubilee, and Kaboth's refusal to give up his garden). Any one claiming land in Canaan was bound to Rhow the family register. 2. When there were class privileges. Illustrate by the inability of some, in the timo of the restoration, to prove their priestly or Levitical connecti"ns. See the jealousy with which membership in Indian castes ~ preserved. 3. ,vhen any one becomes famous. At once we waut to know who he 1s; what o.re his belongings; ....-ho are his" forbears." .Ao idea that no man is a distinct and separate individual. We are all products. We all belong to the past. Those who have been live over ai;ain in their sons. So in a biography we always want to know a man's en. L 1-25.J TUE GOSPEL ACCOTIDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 25