The Book of Galatians
Read Galatians 4:21-31
"Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise." (v28)
God promised Abraham a son through his wife, Sarah (Genesis 15:1-6). However, Sarah, frustrated by her inability to conceive, took matters into her own hands. She gave her Egyptian servant, Hagar, to Abraham so she could bear children through her (Genesis 16:1-2). This led to the birth of Ishmael. But God's promise was ultimately fulfilled when Sarah, at 90 years old, gave birth to Isaac. God was clear—His everlasting covenant would be established with Isaac, not Ishmael (Genesis 17:17-19).
This passage highlights a key distinction between the two sons:
Ishmael was born to Hagar, a slave, representing human efforts to fulfill God's plan.
Isaac was born to Sarah as a fulfillment of God's promise, representing grace and faith.
Mount Sinai (v24) symbolizes the Law, which enslaves, while the heavenly Jerusalem (v26) represents the freedom we have in Christ.
Act:
Let go of self-reliance. Trust in God's timing and promises rather than trying to force outcomes through human efforts.
Live in the freedom of Christ. Do not return to legalism or old ways of thinking. The old has passed away; the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Embrace your identity as a child of promise. If you have received Christ, you are no longer a slave but a child of God, empowered to live in His grace. (John 1:12)
Encourage others in their faith journey. Help those struggling with doubts or legalism to find freedom in God's promises.
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,
“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”
28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.