Galatians 4:21-31

OT contrast between two sons, the salve and the free man, the law verses grace

Do you trust in the promises of God?

Paul uses the story of Sarah and Hagar to illustrate the results of two different covenants: the New Covenant, based on grace; and the Old Covenant, based on the Law. In Paul’s analogy, believers in Christ are like the child born of Sarah—free, the result of God’s promise. Those who try to earn their salvation by their own works are like the child born of Hagar—a slave, the result of human effort.

1. God called Abraham to a walk of faith

a) He left his home land because God called him to leave with the promises of a large amount of land the Israelites could call home

b) Promise of many descendants

Abraham and Sarah were well past child baring age and they thought they needed to help God fulfill His promises

Sarah, the wife Abraham suggested that Abraham take Hagar who was their slave as a wife and have kids with her

Ishmael was born and he represents the slave (Ishmael represents a slave because of the human effort to fulfill God’s promise)

Sarah conceived and gave birth Isaac who represents the free woman (Isaac represents freedom because God fulfilled promises without the help of man)

The promises given by God, we don’t have to strive to achieve or make happen. We can simply wait on God and trust that He will fulfill His promises