Galatians 4:21-31
Q.1. How did Paul support his case for freedom from the Law? What point was he making about Abraham’s two sons? – (Gal.4:21-27)
Paul invited the Galatians to consider the two sons of Abraham born – one by a bondwoman and one by a free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise of God (Gal.4:21-22). Ishmael was born naturally as a result of Abraham and Sarah’s schemes, whereas Isaac was born supernaturally according to the promise from God (c.f. Gen.15:1-6; 16:1-4, 15; 18:9-14; 21:1-3). Paul told the Galatians that the Covenant of the Law was given on Mount Sinai in Arabia (Gal.4:24-25). Israel was to worship God at Mount Zion, in Jerusalem. The woman of Samaria had responded to Jesus – Sir, I perceive You are a prophet. Our forefathers worshiped in this mountain, and the Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship (Jn.4:19-20). Jesus told her – an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father … an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks as His worshipers (Jn.4:21 & 23). Worship is not about a place, but a Person. Paul pointed to the new Covenant symbolizing – the Jerusalem above which is free, she is our mother (Gal.4:26). To be connected to a place brings bondage. The Gospel sets us free from such bondage, so the Galatians were not to go back to the bondage of the Law.
Q.2. In what way are Christian believers like Isaac? What is the right place for the bondwoman? To whom do we belong? – (Gal.4:28-31)
Christian believers are spiritually connected to Isaac, who inherited God’s promise (Gal.4:28). God’s children do not gain their salvation by works or self-effort. They stand on the merits of Jesus Christ. Sadly, those who try to gain entrance to heaven by works will at times persecute those who walk by faith. This is what Ishmael did to the heir of promise, Isaac (Gal.4:29). Consequently, Sarah asked that the bondwoman and her son be sent away (Gal.4:30). Paul applied this allegory to the Galatians when insisting that – we are not the children of the bondwoman, but of the free woman (Gal.4:31). It is amazing that God had the Gospel in mind way back in Abraham’s lifetime. These events help us to clarify the bondage of the Law, compared with the liberty of the Spirit!