In the previous blogs I've written a bit about the old and new covenants. Earlier we looked at how Abraham's life was blessed and his two sons had promises that were attatched to his blessing. Ishmael, his first son, was Abraham's attempt at fulfilling God's promise on his own strength. Isaac, his second son, was the son of promise brought about by God's faithfulness. Take a close look at Galatians 4 below if you want something that might just mess you up!
Hagar and Sarah
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.
24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written:
“Be glad, barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
shout for joy and cry aloud,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband.”
28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
Do you realize that it was the church in that day and age that was living a life under the ten commandments and law that made them as slave children who would never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Are you living a life based on the old law and commandments?
If so, you might just be living as a slave and not a son…
I'll save the rant for another day but I hope you choose to read through verses 28 through 31 again and really let it sink in! If you're not convinced, read all of Galatians.
