Daily Devotions

40 Days and 40 Nights

40 Days and 40 Nights 
Day 
Day 9

"And shall call His name Immanuel."

Text: Isaiah 7:14

THE PROPHECY OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH

The Lord God promised that He would send His Messiah to bring about the redemption of Israel, and indeed the world. That plan included the virgin birth of the Messiah.

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,
and shall call His name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14

THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE VIRGIN BIRTH

The Gospel of Matthew records for us the involvement of the Holy Spirit in the conception of the Messiah.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows:
After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
before they came together,
she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 1:18

When Joseph found that Mary was with child before they were officially married, he wanted to end the betrothal. An angel of the Lord was sent to him with this message.

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife,
for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS,
for He will save His people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:20-21

1. “Joseph”

a) He was from the line of David.
b) Thus he was of the royal line.
c) Jesus would then be legally of the line of David too.
d) Thus Jesus could be called the “Son of David”.
e) The genealogy of Jesus included Joseph and his father Jacob (Matthew 1:15-16).

2. “The Holy Spirit”

a) His power would have to be exercised.
b) The offspring that Mary would bear would be “of the Holy Spirit”.
c) The virgin birth is a great miracle that would require Divine power.
d) The birth of Jesus would indeed be an unique birth.
e) The Spirit of God would ensure that Jesus would be born without sin.

3. “The Messiah”

a) He would be called Jesus.
b) He would save His people from their sin (Matthew 1:21).