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November 30, 2025
Pastor Joe
In Bible days a Jewish girl would be engaged to be married between the ages of 12-13. Her engagement would last about a year, and she was married by the ages of 13-14. Men were married between the ages of 18-20.
Mary and Joseph were engaged which the Jews called being in Kiddushin. It was the first stage of marriage and Kiddushin meant consecration. The woman and man were legally bound, and they would have to go through a formal divorce to end the engagement.
She was called his wife, and he was called her husband, but they were not allowed to consummate the marriage until phase two, typically a year later. At that time, they would have the public ceremony and celebration.
If a woman became pregnant whilein Kiddushin it was considered adultery and she and the man responsible would be stoned to death in accordance with the law of Moses. But because Israel was occupied and under Roman law in Mary and Joseph’s time, the Jewish religious leaders were not allowed to execute that judgement.
If it was caused by another man, her husband to be would divorce her. The woman and her child would be publicly shamed and ostracized. If the man she was engaged to was the father, he would receive the same treatment.
God’s Favor Follows Faithful Obedience
Luke 1:26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed (Kiddushin) to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. New King James Version
Luke 1:28 And having come in, the angel said toher, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. New King James Version
Luke 1:30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” New King James Version
Luke 1:31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” New King James Version
Luke 1:34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” New King James Version
Luke 1:36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has alsoconceived a son in her old age;and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” New King James Version
Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant ofthe Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. New King James Version
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed (Kiddushin) to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. New King James Version
Matthew 1:20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “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. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” New King James Version
Matthew 1:22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Isaiah 7:14, 753 BC) 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, … New King James Version
God showed Favor to Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus with the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh from the Magi. The Bible doesn’t reveal the size of the gifts. Scholars say at the smallest size it would be worth at least two years wages. They also say if they were medium or large amounts it would be worth ten plus years of wages.
God is Asking Every Christian to Surrender Control of Their Lives to Him
Romans 12:12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. New King James Version
God is Asking Us to Read, Study, and Obey the Scriptures
John 8:31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to (NKJV-abide in, NIV-hold to) my teachings.” New Living Translation
To Menō in the Scriptures meansto stay faithfully connected to the Bible; believing it, obeying it, and letting it shape your daily life.