SCRIPTURE: GALATIANS 4
A child who owns the whole estate is no different from a slave because he is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. Similarly, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time has fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive the full rights of sons. God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father”. So, you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
PAUL’S CONCERN FOR THE GALATIANS (vs. 8-20)
Paul’s message to the Galatians:
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God, why are you turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. But how come that now I have become your enemy by telling you the truth? Those people wanted to alienate you from us so that you may be zealous for them. My dear children, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.
HAGAR AND SARAH (vs. 21-31)
Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman Hagar and the other by the free woman Sarah. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way while his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves. This is Hagar. Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 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. Isaac is a child of promise. 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. But the Scripture says: “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. Therefore, we are not children of the slave woman, but the free woman.
THOUGHTS:
Paul used the illustration of slavery to show that people were in bondage to the law because they thought by keeping the law, they could be saved. But when Christ came and died for our sins, we are no longer slaves but now God’s own children with an intimate relationship with him. We are not afraid of God and can come boldly into his presence knowing that he welcomes us as his children.
“When the time has fully come” (v. 4) implies that God has his perfect timing. Sometimes we may wonder why God does not respond to our prayers. We must never doubt him or give up hope. At the right time, he will answer your prayer. Wait for his timing and trust his judgment because he has your best interest in mind.
Jesus was the perfect sacrifice because He was born of a woman – he was human. He was born as a Jew and subject to God’s law. As a human, he never sinned. His death bought us freedom so that we can be adopted into his family.
Under Roman law, an adopted child was guaranteed all legal rights to his father’s property even if he was formerly a slave. He was not a second-class son; he was equal to all other biological sons in his father’s family. As adopted children of God, we share with Jesus all rights to God’s resources. As God’s heirs, we can claim what he has provided for us – our full identity as his children.
Paul led many people to Christ and had a deep concern for their spiritual growth. He compared his pain over their faithlessness to the pain of childbirth. When you lead people to Christ, remember to stand by them to help them grow. As spiritual parents, show your love and care for your spiritual children.
Paul used Hagar, the slave wife, to represent those who are enslaved to the law against Sarah, the free woman who is free from the law. Hagar’s abuse of Sarah was like the persecution that the Gentile Christians were getting from the Judaizers who insisted on keeping the law in order to be saved. Finally, Sarah triumphed because God kept his promise to give her a son, just as those who worship Christ in faith will also triumph. Sarah and Hagar is a picture of the relationship between God and people.