Human Effort or God's Power
Galatians • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
This passage in my opinion is the hardest in the Book of Galatians for sure, and one of the hardest in all the Bible to understand. However, a careful reading and rereading of it, and with careful study, one can see through Paul’s eyes just the deeper meaning of an ancient Old Testament story and what God intended for the people of Israel to learn, but they did not. Paul’s rich background as a Pharisee and student of the law prior to his conversion to Christ gives us a unique perspective into this ancient story. In fact, in this passage, we have a historical perspective, an allegorical consideration, and a personal application.
Listen carefully to Galatians 4:21-31
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 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.
A Historical Perspective (vs. 21-23)
A Historical Perspective (vs. 21-23)
There is no doubt that this story is historically accurate. In Genesis 15:1-5, we see the promise of Abram’s descendants being more than the stars. Yet after many years of no children, Sarai decides to put matters in her own hands and allow Abram to have children through her maid servant Hagar. Genesis 21 reveals that about 15 years later, Sara conceives and gives birth to Isaac. Every good Jew in Galatia knew this story from the reading of the scriptures and the tradition of telling about these scriptures. First, Paul reveals that there is a choice of being under the law or not.
The Choice Provided
The Choice Provided
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?
He had already preached a message of grace, yet still the Judaizers wanted to teach that one should remain under the law. Paul’s question here indicates that there is a choice provided, to be under the law or to not be under the law. Romans 2:12
12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.
We will see later that to not be under the law means to be under grace.
The Children Presented
The Children Presented
Paul goes on to explain this by saying it is written that Abraham had two sons. Here are the scripture verses he is relying on:
15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.
2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.
The passage in Galatians confirms the passages in Genesis. From a historical point of view, we see that Abram, who became later Abraham, had 2 sons.
The Clear Promise
The Clear Promise
The clear promise was that Abraham would have a son and from that son there would be many descendants. In fact, as we have already pointed out, those descendants would outnumber the stars. I am reminded here that multiple times when we have received a promise from God, we become impatient and want God’s timing to be our timing. Sometimes in the midst of that, our impatience leads us to take things in our own hands and make it happen. We must remember that God’s timing is always perfect. 1 Timothy 6:15 reminds us that God will bring about things in His own time.
15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
We can also see from this historical point of view and many others throughout scripture, that if God makes a promise, it will happen. Ultimately, the promises of God are yes through Jesus Christ His Son. 2 Corinthians 1:20
20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Paul also indicates that has an allegory to be considered.
An Allegorical Consideration (vs. 24-27)
An Allegorical Consideration (vs. 24-27)
Allegory Defined
Allegory Defined
An allegory is a literary term that means there is a spiritual or symbolic interpretation of a story that has a literal meaning. There are many people that claim the Bible is nothing but an allegory and it is not historically accurate. Well, I would say that while there are many allegories in scripture, nowhere in this passage does Paul deny the truth of the story. However, he does show that there is a great spiritual truth. It is a divine principle that shows how God deals with His people. God is never changing and those spiritual truths He reveals are also never changing. One of those truths reveals to us that there are things done in an ordinary way. This is the way that man uses his will and methods to make things happen. God, however, does things that are extraordinary, that cannot be done any other way except by God and through God. Let me explain this further as we have it here in this passage.
Ordinary vs. Extraordinary
Ordinary vs. Extraordinary
Ismael was born to Hagar through an ordinary means. While God allowed it to happen, Abraham and Sara caused it to happen by manipulation and their own desire. Ishmael was born in an ordinary way. The Greek word used literally means “in the flesh.” Old time preachers used to preach about things of the flesh. These are those things done strictly by mankind. Ishmael was born in an ordinary way, independent of the ways of God.
Isaac was born to Sara through extraordinary means. Sara was old and barren and it took a miracle for her to conceive this son. This was the direct result from the promise of God.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
The Ismael’s of this world trust in themselves that they are righteous enough to earn their salvation. The Isaac’s trust only in the promise of God and that it will be fulfilled.
Church, are you weary this morning? Are you waiting for the promises of God to be fulfilled in your life? This is a reminder that God works beyond the ordinary in our lives to do that which is extraordinary. In the context of Galatians 4, we see faith versus unbelief.
Faith vs. Unbelief
Faith vs. Unbelief
Abraham and Sara did not believe the promise of God would take place. Their unbelief led to do that which was of the flesh. All of the law that was given on Mount Sinai, has to do with the flesh and what one thinks about God. The law is based on the works one can do to earn his or her salvation, which cannot ever be good enough. Ishmael was born because of unbelief.
Isaac however, was born as the result of the promise of God. This exemplifies two possible human attitudes toward God. You either have faith that He will do what He says or you live a life of unbelief. Every action you do is the result of your faith or unbelief. Every attitude you possess is the reaction to your faith or unbelief. The Judaizers knew that God had established a covenant with His people.
26 I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever.
The new covenant, still to come, belonged to the Age of the Messiah. Jeremiah 31:31
31 “The time is coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah.
The Judaizers did not realize that this new covenant had come with Jesus. That indeed the Kingdom of God had come into play with Jesus. Jesus said in Luke 11:20:
20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
We have an allegorical picture of faith versus unbelief. We also have an allegorical picture of the two Jerusalems.
The Earthly City and the Heavenly City
The Earthly City and the Heavenly City
We have the earthly city and heavenly city, both with the name of Jerusalem. The earthly city of Jerusalem was the city centered around the temple and the religious rituals that came from the law. Paul says this was evident through Hagar, a slave woman because of the law.
The Heavenly City of Jerusalem is not about the law, but in fact about the promise of God that salvation will come to His people because of grace. It is where God reigns.
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,
12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.
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.
The allegory represents an historical truth but yet it is symbolic of so much to come. So what does that mean to us?
A Personal Application (vs. 28-31)
A Personal Application (vs. 28-31)
There is a personal application that is available to each us as we weave our story into the story portrayed here.
We Can Expect Persecution
We Can Expect Persecution
First, we can expect persecution. Isaac was persecuted as a very young child by Ismael.
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,
If we are a people of faith and believe in the promises of God, sometime or another we will be persecuted. The Galatians were persecuted by the false teachers. I guarantee you that someone watching this will be critical of me and persecute me as well. Sticks and stones right? I know that my faith will be challenged by enemies as well as friends and family. So I refuse to give in to those that do. I trust God with this just as I trust Him with other things.
We Will Receive the Inheritance
We Will Receive the Inheritance
Secondly, we will receive the inheritance. The flesh cannot be an heir to God’s grace. Only in Christ can the inheritance be received. Romans 8:17
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Part of that inheritance is experiencing and receiving the promise of the Old Testament.
We Can Experience the Promise of the Old Testament
We Can Experience the Promise of the Old Testament
What is the promise of the Old Testament? It is redemption from the law and a life that is given through grace! Exodus 34:6
6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
What then does it mean to live in the grace of God?
We Live in the Grace of God
We Live in the Grace of God
According to the story of Hagar, Ishmael, Sara and Isaac, Grace is the spiritual parent of the Christian. It is based on the truth and fulfilment of the promises of God.
Grace gives us a deep personal relationship with God (Abba Father).
Grace brings believers together, while the law separates God’s family.
Only in Christ can we inherit the promises, receive God’s grace and enjoy the freedom from God.