Gal. 4:21-31, Cast Out the Bondwoman!

Let us consider some issues from this allegory.

·       Paul seems to indicate that this allegory has a basis in “the law” (v21).  He does remind us that the story of Abraham/Hagar/Sarah is recorded in the Scripture (v22).  But where does he find a basis for using that story to represent the two covenants?  I believe he depends on Isa. 54:1 which he quotes in v27.  By the Holy Spirit he understands that this passage is speaking of Hagar and Sarah. 

·       When you read the story in Genesis your first thought might be that Hagar was treated unfairly.  Certainly, she was treated in a way consistent with the treatment of slaves at the time.  But it is important not to make this the focus.  In the end, because of God’s mercy, Hagar and Ishmael are very blessed.  The focus is on God’s plan.  Abraham and Sarah tried to facilitate the plan by the use of Hagar.  But God’s plan involved Isaac, the son of promise, a son through Abraham and Sarah.  Sarah’s treatment of Hagar in sending her away provides a perfect illustration of what must happen to the bondage of the Law: we must cast out the bondwoman. 

·       Speaking of Isaac provides another connection between the OT and NT contexts.  We are also children of promise (v28).  The promise to Abraham that he would have descendants through a son from his body (Gen. 15:1-5) results in Abraham’s justification (Gen. 15:6).  Isaac is the means by which Abraham could be a blessing to all families of the earth (Gen. 12:3).  Thus, we are also the beneficiaries of the promise of a son to Abraham.

We conclude that this allegory is a teaching tool.  The details of the story are sufficiently consistent with the doctrine of freedom in Christ to require us to learn from it.  Let us do so.  The fact is that our life is in Christ, and we live that life by Christ who is in us.  Christ lives in me, and the life I now live I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal. 2:20).  The alternative approach to living the Christian life is to live out of the flesh, to do the best we can and to try, try, try.  That method is doomed to failure.  In fact, it brings us back to what we had given up on when we came to Christ.  We become enslaved to sin, because the flesh cannot and will not produce the fruit of holiness. 

I believe I, and likely you, need to consider this deeply.  Self-effort, doing our best, is the basis for every religion except for the religion of the Bible.  It makes sense to sinners.  Religion figures out a way to reach up to and satisfy the righteous demands of God.  In Christ, we have found the only one to satisfy righteousness.  He did it by the Word and the Spirit.  Now He lives in us and bids us live as He did.  Yet not I but Christ lives in me.  Think on this.  And as we turn to Gal. 5 the practicalities of this will become much clearer.  What a life we have in Christ!