diff --git a/content/bible_journal/galatians_4:21-31.md b/content/bible_journal/galatians_4:21-31.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b50f9dd --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/galatians_4:21-31.md @@ -0,0 +1,36 @@ ++++ +title = "Galatians 4:21–31" +date = "2023-08-15" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Galatians4.21-31) + +This allegory between Hagar and Sarah is a little weird, because the law came +through Moses who was a descendent of Isaac. But that's how allegories work; +you can't take them too literally. So then, the slave woman has a son naturally +who is born into slavery and the free woman has a son because of God's promise +who grows up free. In the same way, Paul says, Mount Sinai where the law was +given and the earthly Jerusalem where the temple was built represent those who +are in bondage to sin which the law makes known to them. + +Those who are in Christ, however, are represented by Sarah the free woman and +the heavenly Jerusalem where God dwells. He cites [Isaiah +54:1](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isaiah54.1) to emphasize the better position +of the children of the promise over the children of slavery. He continues to +draw parallels from the story of Hagar and Sarah by showing how the children in +bondage persecute the children of promise, just as Hagar did to Sarah after +Ishmael was born. But just as Ishmael did not inherit his father's wealth, so +too will those enslaved to sin not inherit the eternal life given to the the +children of promise. + +Again, we can't take the allegory too literally, or we would wonder how the +Lord's blessing of Ishmael after he and his mother were cast out comes into +play. It doesn't, and it shouldn't, because Paul ends the allegory before this +event. Instead, he is making the point that those who believe in Christ and the +free grace He has shown to us is in every way better than a slavish devotion to +rituals and rules that do not have power to save. + +* * * + +You have skillfully orchestrated history for many purposes, in near and far +contexts.