Behold 05-Virgin Shall Concieve — Neil Dougal

Isaiah's Prophecy of the Virgin Birth

I take the third place in Scripture, the first in the book of Isaiah, Isaiah chapter 7, verse 14. Therefore, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive a dear son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.

Matthew's Fulfillment of Isaiah's Prophecy

Second Scripture, please, in the Gospel by Matthew, the first chapter. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, but he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us.

Again, the Lord will bless this reading from His precious Word. I would like to talk to you this evening about the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Any subject dealing with our Lord demands delicacy and reverence and godliness.

With such a subject we feel motive-like to take the shoes from above our feet. The place whereon we stand is holy ground. It has always been the intention of the evil ones to make the virgin birth of Christ a special target.

Early Denials of Christ's Humanity and Virgin Birth

When John wrote his first epistle, there were elements living then who denied the genuine manhood of Christ, and would not accept the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus. There were three specific groups. One was called the Abionites, a second group called the Docetists, and the third group was called the Corinthians.

The Abionites practiced Judaism. They would not accept the apostleship of Paul, and they would not accept a virgin birth. The Docetists say that the Lord Jesus was not a genuine man, that what men saw was a theophany, or a Christophany, or an apparition, or a ghost, but He was not a real man.

The third group, called the Corinthians, would not accept the genuine manhood and the deity of the Lord Jesus in blend. They said the Christ Spirit came upon him at his baptism and left him at his death.

These three elements were propagating their wicked theory in that day. John takes up his pen, and in one single book he completely repudiates these wicked doctrines. He says that which was from the beginning we have heard, we have seen with our eyes, we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the word of life.

Modern Attacks on the Virgin Birth

Now, the devil hasn't changed his tactics. In fact, he is intensifying his attacks today upon the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus. There are certain liberal elements in the Roman Catholic hierarchy that today are denying the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus.

Who would have thought that such a people would set aside such a vital doctrine? And we cannot allow the reasoning or the philosophy of men to change our thinking. I was travelling home from having givings in 73rd Street, New York City in the past one day.

I sat down beside a lady, and she told me that she was a Roman Catholic by persuasion. But she said, I am not practising my religion because I do not believe in a virgin birth. She said, biologically it was impossible.

I said, you are exactly right. But this was something that only God could do. And if there is no virgin birth, my friends, then there is no salvation for all of humanity. We hold on tenaciously to the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There are certain mysteries that are no longer mysteries. We have been initiated by the grace of God into certain mysteries. But Paul wrote to Timothy, and he said, where is the mystery of godliness? God manifests in the flesh.

The Virgin Birth and Its Interpretation

This evening, I would like to handle this subject, first of all, talking about the virgin birth and interpretation. Secondly, the virgin birth and intrigue. And finally, the virgin birth and influence.

There are two words in our present Old Testament. The word virgin comes from two Hebrew words, either the word basura or the word alma. Now, there is much confusion today as to the interpretation of the word virgin in verse 14 of chapter 7.

As far as the word basura is concerned, there is not much difficulty. This is the state of the individual regardless of her age. But there is tremendous confusion as to the meaning of the word alma. And we discover in some of the paraphrasing in our present day, and the range of the words in chapter 7, verse 14, as a young woman.

So, beloved saints of God, what kind of a sign would this be? God said to Ahaz, Ahaz, I want you to ask of me a sign that shall be for all generations. And under the sphere of false spirituality, he said, I can ask a sign from God.

God said, well, I'll give you a sign anyway, a sign for all generations. Now, if this husband, a newly married woman, what kind of a sign would this be? Ever since Eve gave birth to Aang, married women have been giving birth to children.

There is one school of thought produced by a man called Descenian, an outstanding Hebraist, an outstanding scholar, but he is a man who is a rank modernist. And he says that the meaning of the word virgin, the word alma, means a young married woman.

But Dr. Trigellus, a man of late academic brilliance, and also a man of God, he says that the word alma means a virgin. Now, we ask ourselves the question, who is right? The Hebraist Descenius, or the Hebraist Trigellus?

Well, we know that there is sufficient internal evidence in the words of God to prove that Dr. Trigellus is right, that the meaning of the word alma means a virgin. So, let us go to the word of God for our positive proof.

The word of God never fails in relation to a fundamental doctrine or principle. The first time the word alma is used is found in Exodus, chapter 2, on verse 8. Remember, the boy Moses was placed in the Ark of Bolgahin by his mother, hiding him from the monarch Pharaoh.

And Pharaoh's daughter came down to the riverside to bathe. And the child began to weep. But standing not far from that Ark of Bolgahin was Miriam, the sister of Moses. And she came to Pharaoh's daughter, and she said, And shall I seek for thee one of the Hebrew women to nurse the child?

I will read these words that Miriam, she went and fetched the Hebrew nurse, which was her mother. And it says there that she was a maid. It's the word alma. She was a virgin. The second time it is mentioned is in Psalm 68.

And there we read that the musician went ahead with her instrument, and they were followed by the singer, and the damsel with her timbrel. Now, the damsel, the word there, is alma, a virgin. The third reference is found in Proverbs, chapter 30.

Solomon says there be four things that are too wonderful for him. The way of the eagle in the air. The way of the serpent on the rock. The way of a ship in the sea. And the way of a man with a maid. The word is alma.

Now, there you go. Right in the psalm of Solomon, you can have this word presented here. In chapter one. In chapter six of the psalm, the first letter, there is found in the quote of King Solomon. Three-fourteen, four-four concubines, and virgin without number.

It's the word alma. Now, the lovely thing of God, the classic example, is found in Genesis, chapter 24. Remember Abraham sent his servant across the desert to bring back a choice bride for Isaac. And she was to be a type of the church of God, just as Isaac is a type of our Lord Jesus Christ.

She came down to the well with no water. The Bible says, and she was a virgin. Alma. Now, remember this. Abraham says, there's no lady in the surrounding country good enough for my Isaac. I want the very best for my Isaac.

Do you think for a moment that Abraham would have been satisfied to have a newly married woman he brought across the desert to marry his Isaac? It's preposterous. This constitutes someone who was the very best.

The internal evidence of the word of God is sufficiently indicated that the proper interpretation is the word alma, meaning a virgin. And you be very careful, friends, in your study of the word of God.

Warnings About Modern Bible Translations

It is present-day translation that a deliberate movement should not require the fundamentals of the word of God. It says it in Psalm 22 in the today's New English Bible, the recent New English Bible, where it reads in the King James Version that they pierced his hands and his feet.

In the New English Bible, it says they hacked off his hands and his feet. Now, how can you hack off a hand without breaking a bone? And the Bible says not a bone of him shall be broken. You have to be very, very careful with the present-day translation of the paraphrasing of God.

That is all in relation to the Septuagint, the Old Testament. But remember, the New Testament was written from the Greek language. And I've perfectly read for you Matthew Chapter 1. The corroboration of Isaiah Chapter 7, verse 14.

All this was done, says Matthew, to fulfill that which was spoken by the prophets before the virgin child conceived, verse 14. That's right. His name, Emmanuel. Yes, without so much for the virgin birth and interpretation.

The Virgin Birth Was Not a Human Plot

Secondly, the virgin birth and entry. There were those who said that the mention of a Messiah born of a virgin was a plot. That it was an entry to bolster the shagging and the flagging spirit of the nation.

Israel was under the subjugation of the Roman Empire, and each proud Hebrew resented this foreign domination. And so, this was a plot to inspire the flagging spirit of the nation, and for them to arise and gain the glory of a Solomon kingdom, and overthrow the Roman government.

Could this be an entry? Socially and morally, it was impossible for this mention of a virgin birth to be an entry. The fewer mentions are involved in a plot, the more likely it is for its success. Now, just think for a moment, those who were immediately involved in the birth of the Lord Jesus.

As to locality, as to location. Well, as you know, Mary and Joseph came from Nazareth, from the north-western country of Israel. Then, there were the shepherds, and locally, they were many, many miles away from Nazareth.

These shepherds were working in the fields of Bethlehem. Then, there was Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah. They belonged to the field country of Judea. And, think about the mystery from the east. These wise men came from many, many miles across the land.

They were involved in the birth of the Lord Jesus, in the event, in the city of Jerusalem with old Simeon and Anna. These were individuals immediately connected with the birth of the Lord Jesus. Why, beloved saints of God, did it take nine years for these people to get together, never mind nine months?

There were no DC lines in those days. Travel was slow, communication was limited. How could these people be involved in any incident? As to location, it was impossible. Socially, it was impossible. Mary and Joseph were very, very poor.

Zechariah and Elizabeth, they belonged to the aristocracy. They belonged to the peaceful family. They were descendants from Aaron. The shepherds were hard-working men, working round the clock. On this particular day, it was the lambing season.

Obviously, the wise men were very rich. So, socially, it was impossible for these to get together. And, living in the Old Temple, obviously, they were dependent upon God for His daily sustenance. And, dear old Anna was over a hundred years of age, and she departed not from the temple day or night.

It was impossible to form an interest. And, morally, these dear folks would not be involved in anything. What kind of a man was Joseph? I find Joseph was a man that was unrivaled in his life. When he thought there was something peculiar going on, he thought to send his wife, Mary, away with him, so that she would not become a public example.

Under the law, it was demanded, it seems to be the case, that she should be put to death. But, such was his love for Mary that he would not make her a public example. And, he was willing to take her away from her.

Do you think that man could be involved in any intrigue? And, he was a man that responded so wonderfully to the voice of God. God said to him, Joseph, that which is conceived in Mary is of the Holy Ghost, and thou shalt call his name Jesus.

And, Joseph called him Jesus. And, when the Holy Spirit said to him, Joseph, you take Mary and the child down to Egypt, he immediately responded to the word of God. And, he went down to Egypt. Could this man be involved in any intrigue?

His dear wife was one who was amazing. When she was told to by Gabriel, she said, how shall these things be? He and I know not a man. We emphasize her moral purity. She could not be involved. The handmaid of the Lord.

We see her dedicated to Christ and to God in her agony. And, the last thing we see of Mary is in the upper room with the disciples praying. She goes out as he commends the handmaid of the Lord. Nor she could be involved in any plot.

Zachariah and Elizabeth, the Bible says, that they were blameless and they were prayerful. God-fearing people. They could not be involved in any intrigue. What about the men from the east? These mystics from the east, they were meant to do something about God.

They knew something about the guidance of God, because they were controlled by the stars. They had left something of Balaam's property away back in their homeland, because Balaam, under the direction of the Spirit of God, had a preview of the humanity and the supremacy of the Lord Jesus.

Balaam, that idolatrous man, that lover of the wages of unrighteousness, he said of the Lord Jesus that he would rise as a star out of Jacob and as a serpent out of Israel. So they learned something from the word of God.

They were guided by the divine revelation, and they were controlled by the movement of the stars. And their goal was Him. Think of these men coming many, many miles, maybe hundreds of miles, and their objective, their goal, was Him.

Where is He that is born King of the Jews? And when they finally reached the Lord Jesus, they found Mary and a child, and they worshipped Him. The accuracy of the divine revelation they worshipped, these were men of God.

And they opened up their treasure, and they purposely selected something from the treasure, profitable in its entirety to that day. One selected Mary, one selected Moses, one selected Frankincense. It says they opened up their treasure, and they selected something specific.

The goal tells me who He is. The Frankincense tells me what He became, and the Moses tells me what He did. Go speak to us of Jesus. He was the Son of God, and He knew that He was the Son of God. That's who He was.

The Frankincense tells us what He became. In the meal offering, one of the ingredients was Frankincense. The world became one. And the Myrrh tells me what He would do, and they knew what He would do. There are three things characterized Myrrh.

It's bitter to the taste, it's sweet to the smell, and it's for healing. And this speaks to us of the work of Pauline. They knew that child was born to die. And Calvary was bitter to life. It is sweet to us, and it's healing to us.

As we present the gospel of the glory of the bread of God. Could these men be involved in anything? It was impossible. The shepherds were reverential men, and we discovered that they were men that knew how to praise God.

Simeon, in Jerusalem, was just. He was a god. He was a man that was led by the Spirit of God. When he saw his little child, he said, Now, let us cry, Servants, be part of me. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.

Honestly, I'm talking about dear Anna. At least a hundred years of age. We read that she served God in pasture and in prayer night and day. What an example to us. The temple was a home and a state of heaven to all those that look for redemption and is near.

Prophetic Influence of the Virgin Birth

No beloved deed should not be involved in any increase. Now, finally, we have the virgin birth and influence. The virgin birth has an influence on the word of God, on the scriptures, and it has an influence on the sinner.

We have a confrontation with the virgin birth of Christ, and there's no escape. We either accept it by faith, or we reject it, like the friend in the box from New York City. There's no explanation. Proverbs 25 says, It is the glory of God who conceals it, and that's good enough for me.

The virgin birth and influence upon the scripture. The virgin birth is the keystone in the prophetic arc. Take away that keystone, and the arch disintegrates. Now, dear saints of God, there are three vital scriptures, many more.

But three vital scriptures that have their fulfillment in the birth of Christ. You remember the Lord God himself, the first blasphemy? In the presence of Satan, he preached about the seed of the woman.

And secondly, there was the seed of Abraham. And thirdly, there was the seed of David. Now, these three scriptures had their fulfillment in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The seed of the woman has to do with the breaking of Satan's power.

The seed of Abraham had to do with the inheriting of the blessing. And the seed of David had to do with the perfection of the throne. So, you see how vital is the virgin birth of Christ. The seed of the woman has to do with the breaking of Satan's power.

And so, that verse that we have passed on the people today, in Hebrews 2 verse 14,. For as much as the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the dead, that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death.

One of our dear sisters, down at the nursery school, was reading that very scripture about the annulment of Satan's power to this dear old lady, 92 years of age. And she ejaculated, Hallelujah! I was listening behind her.

And you and I owe everything to the seed of the woman. And his power has been known to us. And tonight we are more than comforted through him alone. He went down into death and he reigned in empowerment through the power of death.

Satan's power has been written. He also has the deed of the seed of Abraham. And so, in the Hebrews 2 we read, in chapter 2 verse 16, that he laid hold, not upon angels, but upon the seed of Abraham. And, tonight, you and I enjoy spiritual blessings.

Through the birth and the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. And he was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, says Romans chapter 1, Martyr Paul. We look forward to the man who one day will possess the throne.

He's as good as dead. I have set my king upon my holy hill of dice. God says that in his season he'll present him the blueprint on the only potent death. The king of kings and Lord of lords. And one day he shall reign from Jerusalem, from the governmental and religious metropolis of the universe.

The Genealogy of Christ and Its Four Women

And his glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. That's our choice. Now, Matthew, he traces that genealogy to Abraham through David's life. Why Matthew? Why was Matthew so interested in the genealogy of Christ?

Well, Matthew was a tax dobber. He belonged to the internal revenue department, handling all the business. He had to know the background of the various individuals. And Matthew also was used with keeping records.

So, you see how wise and how great he was. He chose Matthew. And, moreover, Matthew was a Levite. And he was used with handling the holy things of God. Remember, the Levites, the Lederites, the Gershonites, and the Kohathites.

They handled the holy things of God. Now, Matthew traces that genealogy back to Abraham through David's life. Now, had he been Joseph's son, he would not have had the right to the throne of Israel. But because Joseph was legally married to Mary, the Lord Jesus had the right to the throne of David through his mother's life.

Why was not he allowed the throne through Joseph's life? Because in Jeremiah chapter 22, verse 6, there is a man called Jeconiah, and God said, And any descendant of that witchess Jeconiah will never sit on my throne.

But because of the link with Mary, the Lord Jesus Christ had the right to the throne. Dr. Luke, he traces the genealogy right back to Adam. And writing to Gentiles, he does not over-emphasize, obviously, David and Abraham.

But this man, Luke, is a beloved physician. He tells us about the age of birth, and all the details are absolutely marvelous. See how wonderful that God has given him a physician to give us all the details of the birth of Christ.

And, as you know, doctors are very strong in ethics. And if there was anything curious about what witch was born, and how it was born, we would not have divulged anything of an unsavory nature. But the scripture says, Luke had perfect knowledge of what she said.

The Virgin Birth's Necessity for Salvation

God's word is right. Now, as I conclude, my time is gone. As I conclude, there is an influence upon the sinner. We have seen the influence upon the scripture. And there is an influence upon the sinner.

Now, we either accept it for ourselves, or we reject it. And no one can be saved, apart from believing in the virgin birth of Christ. Because if there is no virgin birth, there is no spotless Savior. We and I would never be saved.

And so, we must hold on to this vital truth. Now, Matthew tells us the reason for the virgin birth. He tells us why a virgin birth was essential. Dr. Luke tells us how it was possible. And John tells us who that person was.

Why was a virgin birth essential? There are three fourteen generations mentioned in Matthew chapter one. Fourteen, fourteen, and fourteen. In the first fourteen generations, it was from Abraham to David.

The second fourteen was from David to the man Zerubbabel. And from Zerubbabel to Christ was the third fourteen generations. Now, in the first fourteen generations, the most important man was Abraham. Now, Abraham brought Israel out of idolatry into fellowship with God.

How important Abraham was? The most important man in the second generation was David. And David was the man that brought Israel from being the heel of the nation, the nation to becoming the crown of the nation.

The victorious military partition. And the third important person is the man Zerubbabel. He was the man that brought Israel out of Babylonian captivity into marvelous deliverance. That beloved saints of God, not one of these men could save his people from the sin.

Greatly and lowly way, they could not save his people from the sin. Now, what does the Lord Jesus Christ do? He's the one who supersedes Abraham, and he brings us out of idolatry into fellowship with God.

And what a fellowship that is! You were hearing about that last week from my colleagues. Our fellowship is with God. I was a son of Jesus Christ, and the people of God. That's what Christ has done. And he has brought us from the heel to the very crown.

We were just like Mephibosheth. We were down in Mordebach, in the place of Mopash. We were sinners, degraded, repugnant to God. We were just like a heel. But he brought us into a area of blessing. We are now the sons of God.

He found us with dignity and with honor. And the Lord Jesus is the man that supersedes not only Abraham and David, but also Zerubbabel. He has taken us from bondage, from satanical bondage, and brought us into the marvelous liberty of such.

How the Virgin Birth Was Possible

That's why a virgin birth was essential. Now, Dr. Luke tells us how it was possible. The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the eyes shall overshadow you, and that holy thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

This was something that only God could do. This was not a new experience to God. Protecting the vehicle of the royal spirit. In Genesis chapter 12, if you'll bear with me for a few moments, in Genesis chapter 12, Abraham is going down to Egypt with Sarah.

And he says, Sarah, you're a beautiful lady. And till Sarah will have resigned, you tell him that you are my sister. Otherwise, he'll kill you. And Sarah took this lady into his arms, but he could not take a finger upon her.

God came in, and he visited Sarah. Don't touch that lady. In chapter 20, and men always seem to learn lessons. In chapter 20, Abraham is going down to the territory of King Abimelech Gerar. And the same prophecy.

And Abimelech came in to this lady, Sarah, and God says, you touch that lady, and you're as good as dead. If he died, brethren, we would not know whether Isaac was the son of Abimelech or the son of Abraham.

But God protected the seed-lot. And the same applies to our beloved Lord. The holy spirit shall come upon you. That was the conception. And the power of the Holy Spirit shall overpower thee, and that holy spirit that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Oh, how we marvel at the man Joseph. The last verse of Matthew chapter 1. And it says,. And Joseph knew him not until she had brought forth her firstborn child. For a very long month, Joseph lived at a distance from his beloved wife, protected by the Holy Spirit, protecting the vehicle through which the Lord Jesus Christ would be born.

The Word Became Flesh

But how it was possible. And John tells us who that man is. The Word became flesh. Now, this is what he says. In the Old Testament, God introduced himself as a God of grace, as a God of righteousness, and as a God of faithfulness.

He said to Adam, Adam, you can put fruit of all the trees in the garden. That was a God of grace. But one stipulation, Adam. He lived as a God of righteousness. Don't touch that tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

But Adam failed. But God came in as a God of faithfulness. In spite of the confusion and uncertainty, as warm as the afternoon, damp of the seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, was not he.

He does the very same thing in the New Testament. He comes in as a God of grace, as a God of righteousness, and as a God of faithfulness. I'll tell you why. There are four women mentioned in the genealogy of Christ that should not be there.

A God of grace. There was Tamar, there was Rahab, there was Bathsheba, and the other one, Ruth. Four women, and they should not be there. But he put them there. A God of grace. But then he is seen also as a God of righteousness.

There are four things that should be there, and they're not there. A God of faith. But here he comes in, suddenly, as a God of faithfulness. Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bring forth a child. His name shall be called Peter.

For he shall save his people from the sin. The God of faithfulness. Jesus, our God today, and we thank him for the virgin birth. Loving Father, we thank thee for thy people who have assembled this evening around thy womb.

We're grateful, O Father, for the support of these meetings, and we thank thee again for the subject this evening, the bull, the virgin, shall conceive. And do help us, O Father, to appreciate what he has done for us, and what thou, O Father, expect from us.

To hold on tenaciously to these vital truths of Holy Scripture. Do bless thy people during the remainder of this week, and do kindly remember our brother's past, and thank thee for him for his faithful service over the many years.

Give him yearning mercy, and a more productive week amongst thy people here in this pleasant place, in this savior's nation. Amen.