Difficult Decisions

Preached on 18 December 2022 in Christ Church, Billericay @ 8:00

Readings: Isaiah 7:10-16; Matthew 1:18-25

Introduction

This morning we are looking at the prophecy that a virgin will give birth to a child. Both our readings are the subject of some controversies. That’s partly because of the subjects they cover, but also because the language that the Isaiah reading is written in has words that do not easily translate into either Greek, or English.

I am going to look at both passages, to see what they mean individually and when they are taken together. There is a common theme between the two reading that’s only loosely related to the prophecy.

Ahaz’s problem

First, let’s start with the Old Testament. Ahaz has a problem. The two countries to the north of him have got together. That’s Aram and Israel (or Ephraim), in what we would now see as Sameria. They have joined forces, to help protect themselves against Assyria. Assyria is the regional power, and is constantly threatening the borders of its neighbours. Rezin of Aram and Pekin of Ephraim want Ahaz to join forces with them. If he won’t, they plan to take Judah by force, thus expanding their territory. Hopefully that will make them less of a target for Assyria.

In the time of King David, Ephraim and Judah had been one nation, so this alliance seems like the ultimate betrayal. No wonder, Ahaz was shaken.

Now he has an important decision to make. What is he to do?

Isaiah’s message

Isaiah has already been given a message for Ahaz, telling him not to be afraid, because the invasion he is expecting will not happen. Apparently this has not quelled his fear, so at verse 10 the Lord has another go at speaking to Ahaz.

Signs

He is offered a sign – any sign. This is a very unusual offer. When Hezekiah was offered a sign, he was given a choice, should the sun go forward or backward 10 steps. He chose backward because he though that was harder to do, and the Lord did it. Hezekiah had been a faithful king. Signs, when they are provided, are usually just given and no choice involved.

Ahaz refused

Ahaz has not been a faithful king. He is supposed to listen to the prophets and ensure that the people worship correctly, but he has not done that. His response to God’s amazing offer is “No, I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test”.

Do not test God

You will probably remember Jesus saying something similar during His temptation in the wilderness. They are both quoting Deuteronomy 6:16 “Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah.” The context is very different. Jesus was speaking to Satan. The Israelites had tested God at Massah by getting ready to stone Moses because there was no water. (ex 17:1-7)

Here, though, Ahaz is being offered the sign by God. It seems that he knows just enough of the scriptures to try to deflect Isaiah from what God is saying.

The Prophecy

God will not be deflected from his purpose, neither will Isaiah. God will provide a sign. He will try to convince Ahaz to follow His instruction.

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

Immanuel means either “God is with us”, or “God with us”. It’s meant to tell Ahaz that God is with him, protecting him and the rest of Judah from the threat they are so worried about.

To set a time frame to this, the following is given:

He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

How the prophecy worked

We cannot be certain how the prophecy worked in detail. There are debates about every aspect. This prophecy does not require a virgin birth, normal conception is possible for a current virgin. The virgin could be Isaiah’s second wife, or a recently married woman in the king's entourage, the name Immanuel being chosen as a way of expressing disapproval with Ahaz’s leadership. Either way, a son is born.

“Curds and honey” may refer to the good things that the boy will have – from the promised land – ‘a land flowing with milk and honey’ or the exact opposite – the only food available when the nation is devastated.

‘Reject the wrong and choose the right’ is undoubtedly the key, as children must be a certain age to do this. Commentators vary from two, twelve, or in the twenties.

It doesn’t matter that much, what we know is that within a few years, before they had time to overrun Judah and Jerusalem, Aram and Ephraim had been overrun themselves by Assyria. So the prophecy is fulfilled, at least for Ahaz.

Joseph’s decision

Now let’s move on to the New Testament reading. Joseph’s difficult decision comes as a surprise to him, rather than an escalating threat. Joseph either hears about the pregnancy, or sees evidence of it for himself, we are not told. It’s possible he went to collect his bride for the wedding, and spotted the problem then.

Now he has an important decision to make. What is he to do?

Righteous Man

Joseph is described as a righteous man, that being the case, to continue with the marriage is out of the question. According to scripture, Mary should be punished for her indiscretion. This could be a stoning, but that was rare in the 1^st century, or a divorce – either publicly or privately. This is Joseph’s preferred option. He is certainly a kind man. He wants to cause Mary as little trouble as possible while still doing the right thing for God and himself. So he decides on a quiet divorce, that way they can both get on with their lives sooner rather than later.

The Dream

Maybe he decided to sleep on it and see how he felt in the morning. While he was asleep, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. The angel told him not to be afraid to take Mary home as his wife. The social stigma of having a new wife already pregnant would be considerable, the assumption would be that the baby was his and that he wasn’t a very self-disciplined person. He would be seen as a sinner, and shunned by those claiming righteousness.

The decision

So, unlike Ahaz, Joseph is swayed by the message the angel delivered, and agrees to take Mary as his Wife. This makes him Jesus’s legal father on earth. So, Jesus is born of the house of David, just as required by various other prophecies. He then had no union with her until after Jesus was born – so maybe the pregnancy was quite advanced at this stage, or Joseph, being a righteous man, had a greater understanding of what was going on than was reported. After Jesus was born, though, they seem to have lived a normal life, the rest of the family being conceived by the usual method.

The problem with Prophecies

Matthew tells us that this took place to fulfil the prophecy that we read about in Isaiah. From a straight forward reading of Isaiah, it is easy to tick this prophecy off as fulfilled and done with. Judah was not defeated by Aram and Ephraim, but they were later defeated by Assyria.

That’s the problem with prophecies, not only are they sometimes difficult to understand, but it is also possible that they refer to things other than those that are being directly addressed when they are given. Matthew clearly sees something more in Isaiah than a straight forward reading provides.

Debate

As I mentioned before, there is huge debate about the prophecy in Isaiah, and about this report of the birth of Jesus. Does the word for virgin, really mean virgin in our sense, does it mean young woman. Most agree that it does not translate easily to either. The Greek word used ‘parthenos’ does directly translate to virgin – I’ve checked. So there is no doubt what Matthew thought.

God and Man

Anyway, it would be difficult to accept that Jesus was the son of God, if God had no involvement in His conception. So Matthew has set us up nicely for the next difficult theological debate – understanding the trinity.

Connection

I mentioned at the beginning that there is another connection between the two passages. It is related to the prophecy, and in particular to God speaking to us directly when we have difficult decisions to make, as was the case in both our readings.

Connection- Ahaz

Ahaz was approached by the prophet and offered a sign – any sign that would convince Ahaz that God knew what He was doing and was in control. Ahaz rejected the offer and moved his kingdom – the house of David, away from God’s rule. Judah was ultimately defeated by controlled by Assyria.

Connection- Joseph

Joseph, on the other hand, when finding his betrothed was expecting a baby, listened to what God had to say and accepted Mary as his wife. Jesus the son of God would be born anyway, that process was unstoppable. Joseph’s acceptance led him to all sorts of difficulties – the flight to Egypt and the return to settle in a strange town, come to mind.

Us

When we have big decisions to make, they often become turning points in our lives. It is important for us to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying at that time. That may be through someone filling the role of a prophet, through a sign, (although I doubt you’ll get a choice!) through a dream, through a scripture reading holding a new meaning to us, through a sudden change in circumstance, or even a dream. It may also come through a discernment process that leads to selection, or not, for some sort of ministry.

The important thing for us is to listen and accept the advice or direction that the Holy Spirit is providing.

Amen.

 

 

References

https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fourth-sunday-of-advent/commentary-on-isaiah-710-16-3

https://sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary/old-testament-isaiah-710-16-commentary/

https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fourth-sunday-of-advent/commentary-on-isaiah-710-16

https://translate.yandex.com/?source_lang=el&target_lang=en&text=%CF%80%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%B8%CE%AD%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%82

 

Youtube: https://youtu.be/vaxxvyLJLzs

 

Mary’s Faith

Preached at St Mary the Virgin, Little Burstead, on 11 December 2022 at 10:30

Prayer

Father, may these spoken words be true to the written word and lead us to the living word, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Do something for God?

Have you ever been asked to do something for God? No, that's not quite the right question.  There are plenty of times when someone in the church may ask you to do something. That will be for God, of course, but it may not be asked in His name.  Perhaps better to ask, have you ever been asked to do something BY God? I know that some of you have, I suspect that most, if not all of you have.  I certainly have, or I wouldn't be standing here now.

Me

For me, it was a long-drawn-out process, that started shortly after I was confirmed, and continued until my second attempt at training, then and only then did it really start.  There were no visions, or angels talking to me, just a slow sense that there were things I could, and perhaps should be doing – despite ample evidence to the contrary, the sense did not go away.  So, eventually, I started asking questions, while getting on with the other things that I thought God was asking me to do.  Each step of the way, my faith was limited to believing that the next step was at least possible.

You

I wonder how that worked for you? Was it a similar, slow process, or some sort of revelation.  Did you get started straight away, or was there a wait?  Did you have faith that all would work out, or did you doubt where you were being led and test what you were working on at every opportunity?  Perhaps you even ran away from it at first, like Jonah.

Mary

For Mary, it was just about instantaneous.  In the verse before our reading started, Gabriel says "Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you."  Understandably, Mary was 'greatly troubled' by this, scared out of her mind, maybe? Gabriel tries to calm her with “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God.” I’m not sure that would cut it either, but what he says next is about as troubling as it gets!

Birthing the Messiah

“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Different World

We have to remember that at the beginning of the first century the world was a very different place. Before the Renaissance, the absolute belief in various religions was common, there was effectively no scientific method as we understand it today. The Jews – all of them, not just the men – would have known their scriptures very well, they were part of life – taught in every family from the youngest age. Seeing angels would be seen as unusual, but maybe not as scary, something to be desired.

Every young Girl’s dream

Now, there are two schools of thought here. One, is more like a current reaction, the other says that it was every young girls dream to be the mother of the Messiah, if that is true, then Mary’s feelings would have been a little different than the feelings we might have at seeing an angel, and hearing this message. Apprehensive, probably, shocked – yes, that’s likely too, but scared out of her mind – probably not. The story is reported very simply, just the ‘he said’, ‘she said’, so it’s impossible for us to really tell.

About Mary

We have to remember that Mary was likely a young teenager, perhaps only thirteen years old. This is the normal age for Marriage in this community, we should not judge this by 20^th century standards. That means she is not what we would see as a young woman, rather she is a girl, in many ways still a child. Which makes what comes next all the more remarkable.

Mary’s response

Her response is simply to ask how it’s going to happen. It’s sounds like she’s expecting a more normal human method to create a son. After all, she is betrothed – and that has legal status in her world. To break a betrothal requires a divorce, just as breaking a marriage does. She would be expecting to produce children very soon anyway.

³⁴“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

This is a question about what will happen, so Mary is already accepting the message.

³⁵“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

he talks a little about her cousin, and ends with:

“For nothing is impossible with God.”

The Implications

Now, that’s something she would have believed, and maybe that sealed the deal for her. I wonder if she knew exactly what it all meant? She would have to go away, hide from the familiar world – becoming pregnant before marriage, even if you are betrothed, could easily lead to being stoned to death. At worst, she would be an outcast. She has no idea what Joseph will say, but the expectation must be divorce.

Things that have been given up

She has given up her future – at least the one she was expecting, she has given up her husband, she will be a single parent family for all she knows – and that was a dreadful life in those days.

Mary’s faith and humility

Mary’s faith and humility are astounding, her last response to the angel shows that:

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.”

So the deed is done. She has risked everything for God, she has put her faith in the angel’s message and her life on the line as a result. Now she must move fast and get out of her home town before the pregnancy is discovered. She goes to stay with her cousin, Elizabeth.

Two women

When the two women meet, Elizabeth, well past child bearing age is almost at full term, and Mary, only just at child bearing age may now be visibly pregnant. The Holy Spirit speaks to Elizabeth and confirms the angel’s message. Elizabeth says:

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so flavoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

Elizabeth confirms the message, and the link between John and Jesus that will become apparent in later chapters. She also says that Mary’s faith is a blessing for her.

What did Mary do now -Magnificat

Now Mary just has to wait for the baby to grow and to be born. There is plenty of time for reflection, and we get the result of that in the song she creates. It’s her thoughts about God, and in many places echoes Hannah’s pray after she had handed over Samuel, her long prayed for son, to Eli for training. It also picks up ideas from various Psalms, Isaiah and Habbakuk amongst others.

Hannah’s Song

I’m going to read Hannah’s song now, so we can get a flavour of the parallels.

^{1Sa 2:1} Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.

^{1Sa 2:2} “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

^{1Sa 2:3} “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.

^{1Sa 2:4} “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.

^{1Sa 2:5} Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.

^{1Sa 2:6} “The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up.

^{1Sa 2:7} The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.

^{1Sa 2:8} He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honour.

“For the foundations of the earth are the LORD'S; upon them he has set the world.

^{1Sa 2:9} He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.

“It is not by strength that one prevails;

^{1Sa 2:10} those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

Which parallels did you pick up on?

Mary’s Song

Mary’s song is a real celebration of God and all that He has done and will do, both through her and for her. It shows just how well she knows her scriptures and just how close to God she has become. It’s not just her she sees in the song, but the whole of Israel and how God keeps His promises to the whole nation.

Hebrews reading

The Hebrews reading tells us many things that happen ‘by faith’. Noah building an ark, us believing that God created the universe out of nothing, Enoch not experiencing death, Abraham following God’s call.

Our additions to the list

We could add to that list:

By faith, Mary submitted to God, and accepted the message of the angel.

By faith, she gave birth to Jesus, the Christ, the son of the most high God.

By faith, we accept that Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to her first child.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

So, each of us can add our own personal statements of things that have happened in our lives, because we have faith in God. Think back to the question I asked at the start, “Have you ever been asked to do something by God?” All of those things go on our list of By faith ...

It doesn’t end there, there will be things that are happening or are about to happen that will also come about because of our faith in God to work through us and work for us.

Mary’s experience should inspire us to be more open and more willing to engage with God’s call on our lives.

What’s on your list of things that have happened, are happening, or will happen by faith?

Amen.