Abraham 9

Grace and the Law - Sarah and Hager

As you look at the persons involved in this important event, you can learn some valuable lessons about basic Christian doctrine and how to live the Christian life.

1. Abraham and Sarah: faith and promise

Genesis 21:1–7 AV

1 And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. 2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. 3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. 6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. 7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.

Sarah had borne the burden of childlessness for many years, a heavy burden indeed in that culture and at that time.

People must have smiled when they heard that her husband’s name was Abraham, “father of a multitude.”

He was the father of one son, Ishmael, but that was far from a multitude; and Sarah had never given birth.

But now all of her reproach was ended, and they were rejoicing in the arrival of their son.

But the birth of Isaac involved much more than parental joy, for his birth meant the fulfillment of God’s promise.

When God had called Abraham, He promised to make of him a great nation that would bless the whole world.

The birth of Isaac reminds us that God keeps His promises, in His own way, and in His own time.

In spite of their occasional failures, Abraham and Sarah believed God; and God honored their faith.

Isaac’s birth also meant the rewarding of patience.

Abraham and Sarah had to wait twenty-five years for their son to be born.

Hebrews 6:12 AV

12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Trusting God’s promises not only gives you a blessing at the end, but it gives you a blessing while you are waiting.

Just as Olympic athletes develop their skills as they practice hard long before the big event, so God’s children grow in godliness and faith as they wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Faith is a journey, and each happy destination is the beginning of a new journey.

When God wants to build our patience, He gives us promises, sends us trials, and tells us to trust Him.

The birth of Isaac was certainly the revelation of God’s power.

That was one reason why God waited so long: He wanted Abraham and Sarah to be “as good as dead” so that their son’s birth would be a miracle of God and not a marvel of human nature.

Faith in God’s promises releases God’s power.

Finally, the birth of Isaac was a step forward in the accomplishing of God’s purpose.

The future redemption of a lost world rested with a little baby boy!

Isaac would beget Jacob, and Jacob would give the world the twelve tribes of Israel; and from Israel the promised Messiah would be born.

Down through the centuries, some of the “living links” in the chain of promise may have seemed insignificant and weak; but they helped to fulfill the purposes of God.

You may wonder if what you do is really important to God and His work in this world; but it is, if you are faithful to trust His Word and do His will.

The next time you feel defeated and discouraged, remember Abraham and Sarah; and remind yourself that faith and promise go together.

God keeps His promises and gives you the power you need to do what He wants you to do.

No matter how long you may have to wait, you can trust God to accomplish His purposes.

2. Isaac and Ishmael: Spirit and flesh

Genesis 21:8–11 AV

8 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned. 9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. 10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. 11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son.

Galatians 4:28–29 AV

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

Paul makes it clear that Ishmael represents the believer’s first birth (the flesh) and Isaac represents the second birth (the Spirit).

Ishmael was “born of the flesh” because Abraham had not yet “died” and was still able to beget a son.

Isaac was “born of the Spirit” because by that time his parents were both “dead” and only God’s power could have brought conception and birth. Ishmael was born first, because the natural comes before the spiritual.

When you trust Jesus Christ, you experience a miracle birth from God, and it is the work of the Holy Spirit of God.

Abraham represents faith, and Sarah represents grace

Galatians 4:24–26 AV

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, 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.

so Isaac was born “by grace … through faith”

Ephesians 2:8–9 AV

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

This is the only way a lost sinner can enter the family of God

Isaac pictures the child of God not only in his birth but also in the joy that he brought.

Isaac means “laughter”.

In the parables recorded in Luke 15, Jesus emphasized the joy that results when lost sinners repent and come to the Lord.

The shepherd rejoiced when he found the lost sheep, and the woman rejoiced when she found the lost coin; and they both asked their friends to rejoice with them.

The father rejoiced when his prodigal son came home, and he invited the neighbors to a feast so they could share in his joy.

There is even joy in heaven when sinners turn to God.

Nowhere do we read that Ishmael caused great joy in Abraham’s home. Abraham loved his son and wanted the best for him.

From before his birth, Ishmael was a source of painful trouble and after he matured, he caused even greater conflict in the family.

The old nature is not able to produce the fruit of the Spirit, no matter how hard it tries.

Like every child of God, Isaac experienced persecution.

Ishmael was apparently an obedient son until Isaac entered the family, and then the “flesh” began to oppose “the Spirit.”

Jewish children were usually weaned at about age three, so Ishmael was probably seventeen years old at the time.

What arrogance that a boy of seventeen should torment a little boy of only three!

But God had said that Ishmael would become “a wild donkey of a man”, and the prediction came true.

The flesh and the Spirit are in conflict with each other and always will be until we see the Lord.

When, like Isaac, you are born of the Spirit, you are born rich.

Isaac was the heir of all that his father owned, and God’s children are “heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ”

Abraham cared for Ishmael while the boy was in the home, but

Genesis 25:5 AV

5 And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.

3. Sarah and Hagar: grace and Law

Genesis 21:9–13 AV

9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. 10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. 11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son. 12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. 13 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.

Sarah was wrong when she told Abraham to marry Hagar, but she was right when she told Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael out of the camp.

The Apostle Paul saw in this event an allegory involving the Law of Moses and the grace of God

Galatians 4:21–31 AV

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, 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. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Sarah represents grace (the heavenly Jerusalem), and Hagar represents Law (the earthly Jerusalem under bondage).

The lesson is simply that God’s children are to live under the blessings of grace and not the bondage of Law.

The conflicts in Abraham’s home could have been solved four ways.

1: Isaac could have been sent away, but that would mean rejecting the promises of God and all that God had planned for the future.

2: Isaac and Ishmael could have lived together, but that would mean constant conflict.

3: Ishmael’s nature could have been changed to make him more agreeable, but that would be impossible.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh” (John 3:6), and it always will be flesh.

4: The only solution was to send Ishmael and his mother out of the camp and make Isaac the sole heir.

When you consider the facts about Hagar, you will better understand the relationship between Law and grace in the Christian life.

To begin with, Hagar was Abraham’s second wife.

She was added alongside Sarah.

Likewise, the Law was “added” alongside God’s already existing promises and was temporary .

God did not start with Law; He started with grace.

His relationship to Adam and Eve was based on grace.

The redemption of Israel from Egypt was an act of God’s grace, as was His provision, the sacrifices, and priesthood.

Before Moses gave the Law, Israel was already in a covenant relationship with God (“married to God”) through His promises to the patriarchs (Ex. 19:1–8).

Second, Hagar was a servant.

“Wherefore, then, serveth the Law?” Paul asks in Galatians 3:19, and he gives the answer. The Law was God’s servant (a “schoolmaster” or “child tutor”) to keep the infant nation of Israel under control and prepare them for the coming of the Redeemer.

The Law was given to reveal sin but not to redeem us from sin.

Grace does not serve Law; it is Law that serves grace!

The Law reveals our need for grace, and grace saves us completely apart from the works of the Law.

A third fact is obvious: Hagar was never supposed to bear a child.

The Law cannot give what only Jesus Christ can give: life; righteousness, the Holy Spirit, or an eternal inheritance.

All of these blessings come only “by grace [Sarah] … through faith [Abraham]”.

This leads to a fourth fact: Hagar gave birth to a slave.

If you decide to live under the Law, then you become a child of Hagar, a slave; for the Law produces bondage and not freedom.

Hagar was cast out.

There was no compromise: She was cast out completely and permanently and took Ishmael with her.

Believers don’t need to put themselves under some kind of religious law in order to become Christlike, for they are already complete and full in Christ.

Finally, Hagar never married again.

God gave His Law to the Jewish nation only and never gave it to the Gentiles or to the church.

Nine of the Ten Commandments are quoted in the Epistles as applying to believers today, and we should obey them.

But we are not commanded to obey the ceremonial laws that were given only to Israel (see Rom. 13:8–10).

Paul affirms that it is love that fulfills the Law.

When we love God and love one another, we want to obey God; and in the Spirit’s power, we do what is right.

Conclusion

Before leaving this section, we should notice that there is a “lawful use of the Law”

1 Timothy 1:1–11 AV

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

While the Law cannot save us or sanctify us, it does reveal the holiness of God and the awfulness of sin.

The ceremonial part of the Law illustrates the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The Law is a mirror that helps us see our sins (James 1:21–25), but you do not wash your face in the mirror!

It is also a mirror that reveals the glory of Jesus Christ; and as we meditate on Him, we can be transformed to become more like Him.

Any religious system that leads you into bondage is not magnifying the New Testament Gospel of the grace of God.