Galatians 4:21 "Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?"

It is all too common to find those who read and know the Word, but who do not hear it, that is, heed it nor take it to heart. The law includes the Mosaic legislation and the historical record, that is its setting, all is clothed with divine authority. Both should be understood and their meaning obeyed.

There were two sons of Abraham, (Galatians 4:22 ) namely, Ishmael and Isaac - born of different mothers. The bondwoman given by Sarah to Abraham to be a substitute mother for her, and Sarah the free woman. Ishmael was born naturally but in bondage. Isaac was born supernaturally in accordance to promise. These historic facts form the basis of an illustration of those in bondage to law, and those born of promise through faith (Galatians 4:23 ).

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The Law In A Symbolic Way Shows The Two Covenants

Galatians 4:24 "which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar "

There is no licence given here to permit allegorizing and spiritualising of Scripture so as to destroy its true and literal sense. It is established in the way this historical narrative is used that it must present only the soundest of spiritual teaching - all far-fetched comparisons and interpretations must be carefully avoided. The integrity of the Word must be honoured in all interpretation. Legalists are condemned by the historic setting of the law, as children of the bondwoman, and not children of the free woman. Hagar represented the Sinai covenant, as she bore children unto bondage, so did the Sinai covenant.

Galatians 4:25,26 "... and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. ²⁶ But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all."

What was true of the Sinai covenant was true of literal Jerusalem then under bondage to Rome and to Judaistic legalism. All who are her children were under bondage. Those who desire to be under the law do not have the authority or the blessing of God, being under condemnation. The covenant of promise corresponds not to the earthly, but the heavenly Jerusalem. Those who are born from above are free "born again" (John 3:3 KJV). Literally, be born from above, though the word also means "again." How could anyone born free "desire again to be in bondage?" (Galatians 4:9 KJV). The covenant of promise corresponding to Jerusalem above, is the mother of all who believe whether Jew or Gentile - all are freeborn children. Heaven is to be populated with a multitude which cannot be numbered, as the mother of us all.

Isaiah 54:1"Sing, "O barren, 1 You who have not borne! (i.e. Sarah, free woman) Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate Than the children of the married woman," (i.e. Hagar bondwoman). says the Lord. "

Sarah was to become as the free woman "the mother of nations." She, through the promise has children of faith among all nations. The family of the redeemed, the free, will rejoice before the throne so numerous that no one will be able to number them (Revelation 7:9 ).

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As Children Of The Free Woman We Have A Correspondence To Isaac As Children Of Promise

Galatians 4:28 "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise."

	Like Isaac in persecution Those of the flesh persecute and mock those born of the Spirit (Galatians 4:29 ).
	Like Isaac, even now freedom is opposed Those who oppose the only true gospel of Jesus Christ, with another that is not the gospel. (Galatians 4:29 ).
	Like Isaac, as sons of promise, are inheritors "Cast out the bondwoman and her son" (Galatians 4:30 KJV). So those who look to legalistic observances other than Christ for salvation, will be utterly cast out. There can be no combining of law and gospel, nor other religion and gospel. Only through faith in Christ Jesus do we inherit all the eternal blessings.
	Like Isaac, we recognise our freedom "Children of ... the free" (Galatians 4:31 ). Enjoy the wonderful victory over sin, and the privileges that are yours in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What are the two covenants represented by Ishmael and Isaac - born of different mothers? (Galatians 4:22-24 ).
2. Why do you know you are born free? What does it mean to you to be a child of promise? (Galatians 4:28 ).