called the Son of God‖. Gabriel gave the explanation that Y‘shua would not have a natural father. He would
be supernaturally conceived through the Holy Spirit. Only pure, untainted blood could be shed for the sins of
man. Blood of the baby comes from the genes of the father and there was only one Father who was without
sin.
The way this was going to be accomplished was by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, it is not
the birth of Y‘shua that is a miracle, since He was born like any other baby. The miracle was the conception,
and by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit she was going to conceive. Because the conception came by
means of the Holy Spirit, two things resulted: (1) the Child would be sinless; He would be Holy, and (2) Deity,
He shall be called the Son of YHWH.
A very common misconception has been made because of what is said here and needs to be dispelled. It
was propagated in some circles that the reason for the necessity of the virgin birth was that this was the only
possible way of keeping Y‘shua from inheriting the sin nature. They go on to teach that the sin nature was
transmitted through the male only. Since Y‘shua did not have a human father, He was sinless. He only had a
human mother and the sin nature is not transmitted through the mother. Actually, nowhere in the Bible does
it say that the sin nature is transmitted through the male only. Sometimes, in fact, the Bible emphasises the
female side of it more than the male side.
What kept Y‘shua from inheriting the sin nature was not the absence of the male seed, but the
overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. We should remember that YHWH, being YHWH, was not suddenly stuck
with only one way of doing things. If YHWH wanted to, He could have produced a sinless being using both
the male seed and the female egg. The reason for the virgin birth is that this is the way that YHWH chose to
do it, not because this was the only way. He chose to do it this way, and in doing so fulfilled prophecies that
He stated in the Tanach.
―(36) And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth
month with her, who was called barren. (37) For with God nothing shall be impossible‖. A sign of
confirmation was given to Miriam - the pregnancy of Elizabeth. Beyond the childbearing age, Elizabeth was
now in her sixth month when Miriam conceived. In other words, Y‘shua would be born nine months from this
time. See the chronological events of Yochanan (John) and Y‘shua‘s dates of birth under the section ―The
Visitations‖.
―(38) And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel
departed from her‖. The angel‘s message and sign satisfied Miriam. But, she must have been very much
aware of the ridicule she was going to open herself up to. It is to her credit that serving YHWH was far more
important than the accusations of men. At this point, Miriam totally submits herself to the will and care of
YHWH. And well she might in the light of three things.
First, the Tanach penalty for a betrothed virgin suddenly found with child was execution by being stoned to
death. Miriam had to trust YHWH that when it became more and more apparent that she was with child and
not yet married to Yoseph that YHWH would protect her so that she would not be executed.
Secondly, she had to trust YHWH for the reaction of the community. She had to believe YHWH would protect
her from being totally shunned from the community; and, therefore, her child being forever labelled
illegitimate.
Thirdly, she needed to trust YHWH for her relationship with Yoseph. This was truly a great concern because
he was in the process of divorcing Miriam from the betrothal relationship.
Miriam visits Elisheva (Elizabeth) (we continue to read from Luke chapter 1)
(39) ―And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
(40) And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
(41) And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her
womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
(42) And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb.
(43) And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
(44) For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for
joy.
(45) And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told
her from the Lord‖.
―(39) And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; (40) And
entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth‖. Miriam lived in Nazereth in Galilee and