That It Might Be Fulfilled Matthew 1:22

Matthew continued to share how there were three separate “fourteen generations” which were involved in Jesus' coming, and he referred to Jesus' birth by the Holy Spirit and through Mary before she and Joseph “came together”. “Joseph” was “not willing to make” Mary “a public example, but while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, you son of David, fear not to take unto you Mary your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-two of his book, Matthew shares how, “all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord” where we read:

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

The verse reads, “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled ...” Matthew began with the word, “now” which means “moreover and” “all this” or “these things were completely, altogether and wholly” “was done” or “came to pass or into existence, happened and appeared in history”, “that it might be fulfilled” which means “so to furnish, supply liberally, abound and render full and complete”. Matthew shared how all the events concerning the birth of Jesus were “completed” to “abound and render full” that which he is about to declare.

The verse continues, “... which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,” Matthew added the words, “which was spoked” which means “that was uttered, declared and proclaimed” “of the Lord” or “pertaining to he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “by the prophet” which means “through the one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration especially concerning future events and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”. Matthew began to demonstrate how everything that was done with Jesus' birth was in accordance with an Old Testament “prophet” who made a declaration concerning it.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how God's plan for a “Savior” was in place well before the birth of Jesus actually arrived. Old Testament prophets made declarations concerning Jesus' birth, and Matthew will set out to demonstrate how Jesus “fulfilled” these prophesies. There are over three hundred prophesies concerning the Messiah, and Jesus “fulfilled” each of them. As Matthew goes about to show these things to be true of Jesus, let all who read these words know this, God has a plan of “salvation” for man, and His purposes and ways are “fulfilled” in His Son Jesus.

Next time Matthew refers to Old Testament scripture that says, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.