Galatians 4:21-31

content/bible_journal/galatians_4:21-31.md

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+title = "Galatians 4:21–31"
+date = "2023-08-15"
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+
+### [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.