Chapter 18
LAW AND GRACE CAN NOT COEXIST
(Galatians 4:21-31)
Before we begin our study let us pray,
Dear Heavenly Father,
Holy Father we come into Your presence in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Father please bless this time with You and the study of Your Word. Cause us to truly see and understand the difference between Your Grace and the works of Law.
Amen
BACKGROUND
Before we begin our study of this portion of Paul's letter to the Galatians it is important for us to have fresh in our minds the relationship between Abraham and his sons, Isaac and Ishmael.
To do this let us begin by reviewing once again,
GOD'S PROMISE TO ABRAM (LATER NAMED ABRAHAM)
For this study let us read the promise given to Abram as recorded in,
Genesis 15:1-6
" … the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." [2] But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" [3] And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir." [4] Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." [5] He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." [6] Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness."
As we saw in chapter 11, approximately ten years elapsed after God gave the above promise to Abram and yet Sari was still without child. Consequently, Sari, who already knew she was barren (Genesis 11:30), concluded that she was not the one who would give Abram a son. Thus, according to the laws and customs of that culture, she decided to give Abram a son via proxy. In other words, Sari offered Abram her maidservant, Hagar, to carry his child. Hence,
ABRAM SLEPT WITH HAGAR
This is recorded for us in,
Genesis 16:1-4
"[1] Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; [2] so she said to Abram, "The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her." Abram agreed to what Sarai said. [3] So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. [4] He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress."
Thus, in accordance with the law of the land and by natural means,
ISHMAEL WAS BORN
Ishmael's birth is recorded for us in,
Genesis 16:15-16
"[15] So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. [16] Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael."
Approximately thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael,
GOD SPOKE AGAIN TO ABRAM
To read what God said let us go to,
Genesis 17:1-8
"[1] When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty ; walk before me and be blameless. [2] I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers." [3] Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, [4] "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. [5] No longer will you be called Abram ; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. [6] I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. [7] I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. [8] The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.""
For this particular study let us notice the following verses,
1-4 … God reaffirmed His covenant, which means His His promise, to make Abram the father of many peoples and nations.
5 … God renamed Abram to be Abraham, which means: "the father of a multitude."
Let us now continue our reading from,
Genesis 17:15-22
"[15] God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. [16] I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her." [17] Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?" [18] And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!" [19] Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. [20] And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. [21] But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year." [22] When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him."
Let us notice the following verses,
15 … God changed Sari's name to be Sarah, which means: "princess."
17 … Recognizing that Sarah was barren and that he was already ninety nine years old, Abraham laughed at the prospect of he and Sarah having a son.
19 … Sarah was to bear the son of promise. He is to be named Isaac, which means: "laughing one." Remember in verse 17 we read that Abraham laughed when God said Sarah was to give him a son.
20 ... God heard Abraham's plea for Ishmael. God told Abraham He would bless Ishmael and make him the father of twelve rulers.
21 … However, the promise or covenant will be with the child of promise, Isaac.
As God promised, one year later, when Abraham was 100 years old,
ISAAC WAS BORN
Isaac's birth is recorded for us in,
Genesis 21:1-7
"[1] Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. [2] Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. [3] Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. [4] When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. [5] Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. [6] Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." [7] And she added, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.""
Unfortunately, Ishmael was a bit jealous of Isaac and we find that,
ISHMAEL MOCKED ISAAC
To see this let us read from,
Genesis 21:8-9
"[8] The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. [9] But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking,"
Sarah was very displeased about the situation and asked that,
ISHMAEL AND HAGAR BE DRIVEN OUT OF THE CAMP
This is recorded for us in,
Genesis 21:10-14
"[10] and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac." [11] The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. [12] But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. [13] I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring." [14] Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba."
Let us notice verse 12. It is here we find that God told Abraham to listen to Sarah and send Hagar and her son, Ishmael, away. The reason was because it would be through Isaac, the child of promise and not through Ishmael, the child from law, that God's promise to Abraham would be reckoned or accounted for.
Also note in verse 13 God basically told Abraham not to worry about Ishmael for He also planned to make him into a nation.
With the above background in mind we can now begin our study of this portion of Galatians.
THE TEACHING
To set the stage for this teaching of Law versus Grace the Apostle Paul began with the following question:
Galatians 4:21
"[21] Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?"
In the above Scripture, the Apostle Paul asks a very significant question to those who find themselves submitting to various religious laws, traditions and rituals. Specifically, he is asking them: "Do you really understand the vast implications of what you are doing?"
To help us grasp the significance of this issue, the Holy Spirit provided the Galatians and now us with a very vivid contrast of the implications of the law, which equates to slavery, and Grace, which equates to freedom.
And so, let us begin our study of this teaching by reading from,
Galatians 4:22-31
"[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 in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. [24] These things may be taken figuratively, for 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, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband." [28] Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. [29] At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. [30] But what does the 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, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman."
To better understand the above allegory, let us return and further examine each of its main elements. We begin with,
GALATIANS 4: 22-23
"[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 in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise."
To better understand the implications of following the law rather than trusting in God's Word or Promise, the Holy Spirit is asking us to reflect upon what happened between Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Isaac and Ishmael. Specifically, the Holy Spirit is teaching us that for this allegory Sarah represents the covenant of freedom; whereas, Hagar represents the covenant of slavery.
In the following verse the Holy Spirit begins by revealing to us that Hagar, Sarah's maidservant or slave, represents the Law.
GALATIANS 4:24
"[24] These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar."
To see this let us remember that, God called Moses to go up Mount Sinai to give him the Law. This is recorded in,
Exodus 19:20
"[20] The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up"
As we saw in earlier chapters, the Law produces children, who are followers of the Law. These children or followers of the Law become enslaved by it and by their sins.
The reason for this is that when we look to the Laws of God we find that with our minds we agree with them and wish to obey them. However, in our efforts to do this we discover that the Laws of God are spiritual and we are carnal, which means unspiritual. To see this let us read from,
Romans 7:14
"[14] We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual …”
Hence, we cannot comply with the spiritual demands of the Law with only carnal strength or energy. Thus, the Law can only reveal to us our sins and hold us accountable for them. This principle is clearly stated in,
Romans 3:19-20
"[19] Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. [20] Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin."
Thus, we find the truth of the following Scripture,
Romans 7:25
"[25] … , I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."
Therefore, if I wish to follow the Law, traditions and/or rituals to be justified before God, I find myself enslaved by them and my sins.
With all this in mind let us now return to the allegory of Sarah and Hagar and read from,
GALATIANS 4:25
"[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."
Even though the phrase "present Jerusalem" refers to the physical city of Jerusalem during the time this letter was written, it is also applicable for today. Specifically, the Holy Spirit is teaching us that those who have yet to receive their Messiah are still in bondage to the Law and sin.
With this in mind let us now read from,
GALATIANS 4:26
"[26] But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother."
This is referring to the Jerusalem that is in Heaven. To see this, let us read about the vision given to the Apostle John with respect to the time when God will create everything new for those who are born again believers in Jesus Christ. It is recorded for us in,
Revelation 21:1-4
"[1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. [2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. [4] He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.""
To expand upon this let us now read a prophecy God gave through the Prophet Isaiah. This prophecy foretells of the time when the city in Heaven would bear children, that is have citizens. It is quoted for us in,
GALATIANS 4:27
"[27] For it is written: "Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.""
To help better understand this verse we must remember that until Jesus Christ came to make atonement for us, no person could enter Heaven. Hence, at the time of Isaiah, the city of Jerusalem in Heaven had no citizens. In other words it was barren. To see this we must first remember that all of us fall short of the demands of the Law. We are by nature sinners. This is given to us in,
Romans 3: 9-12
"[12] …We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. [10] As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; [11] there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. [12] All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.""
Secondly, the Bible clearly teaches us that those who practice sin will not enter the Kingdom of God. For example, let us read from,
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
"[9] Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders [10] nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
In Galatians 4:27 we read that God, through the prophet Isaiah, promised the barren woman, that is the Heavenly Jerusalem represented by Sarah, would have many children. Thus, He was pointing to the time when Jesus Christ would come to reconcile us to God. In other words, through the prophet Isaiah, God had foretold of the time when He would come to make atonement for the forgiveness of our sins and redeem us from the power of sin and Satan. He was going to do this so we can become a child of God and have citizenship in Heaven.
Hence, the question is: "In what city do you think your citizenship is in?" or "In which Jerusalem do you think you belong?" Is it the one on earth, which represents the Law, traditions and rituals? (Or) Is it the one in Heaven, which represents faith, grace and the promise of eternal life?
We must never forget that as a born again believer in Jesus Christ our citizenship is in Heaven. To see this glorious truth let us read from,
Philippians 3:20-21
"[20] … our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
Let us now return to our allegory in Galatians and read from,
GALATIANS 4:28
"[28] Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise."
To fulfill God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac was born under the direct intervention of God. In like manner it is the same for the born again believers in Jesus Christ. This is truth recorded in,
John 1:12-13
[12] But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: [13] who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Consequently, being born again of the Holy Spirit is not the result or reward for following the law, rituals or traditions. Being born again is a free gift from God. It is the fulfillment of His promise to Abraham and his Seed. This is recorded in,
Galatians 3:16
[16] Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.
To expand upon this let us now read from,
Ephesians 2:4-9
"[4] But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, [5] made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. [6] And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, [7] in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. [8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.
Another way to see this is by reading,
Galatians 3:26-29
[26] For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
With the above glorious gift in mind, let us now read what happened between Ishmael and Isaac. To do this we return to Galatians and read from,
GALATIANS 4:29
"[29] At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now."
This is a reference to what we read earlier in Genesis 21:8-9. Specifically, it refers to the incident when Ishmael, who was born in the ordinary way, mocked Isaac, whose birth was by a miraculous intervention by God. As the above Scripture states, it is the same today. Isn't it true that even today, those who are not born again believers tend to mock those who, by God’s miraculous intervention, are? Haven't each one of us been mocked or harassed or persecuted in some way or other for our faith in Jesus Christ?
With all of the above as background we now arrive at the heart or message of this study, which is:
LAW AND GRACE CAN NOT COEXIST
To see this truth, the Holy Spirit in the letter to the Galatians reminds them and now us what God told Abraham when Sarah asked him to remove Hagar and Ishmael from the camp. To read what God said to Abraham let us read from,
Galatians 4:30
"[30] But what does the 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.""
The applicability of the above for the New Testament and this study is that unless you are born again of God the Holy Spirit you cannot see the Kingdom of God. Another way to put it is that those who are only born in the natural way are still in their sins and cannot inherit a place in the Heavenly city of Jerusalem. This is exactly what Jesus told Nicodemus when Nicodemus came to visit Jesus.
John 3:1-8
"[1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." [3] In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." [4] "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" [5] Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' [8] The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.""
Consequently, we find that those who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and have been born again of God the Holy Spirit are no longer a child of the bondwoman, Hagar. Those who have been born again have been set free to be a child of the free woman, Sarah. This is recorded in,
Galatians 4:31
"[31] Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman."
What a glorious, glorious gift God has extended to us in Christ Jesus!
CONCLUSION
Now that we have a better understanding of the eternal implications of following the law versus faith in Jesus Christ and what He did for us, let us close this study by prayerfully reading the following exhortation,
Galatians 5:1
"[1] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Shall We Pray?