These are slightly edited notes. If you would like to hear how this sermon came out, you can listen on SermonAudio.com. Here’s a link to the sermon: An Allegory
Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which engendereth to bondage, which is Hagar. For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 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 a husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 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. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Introduction
We are studying the last of the doctrinal section of Galatians
Personal-Doctrinal, Practical
What is going on in Galatians — Judaizers had come to the young churches in Galatia
Distorted the Gospel
That they must add (3:3) to their salvation the works of the Jewish law
They (the Judaizers) claimed they were the true sons of Abraham
Likely, used Isaac as an illustration (circumcision)
Discredited Paul
Wanted them to follow them
Claimed Paul had not taught them the whole truth
Jewish teachers often used an allegorical method of interpretation
In allegories, what’s there is not there (Jonah, etc.)
Only “initiated” can know what is there
Interpretation & Explanation
Verse 21 — Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Two laws
First, the system of law (legalism)
Second, books of the law (Genesis to Deut.)
Verse 22-23 — For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
The story of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Isaac, and Ishmael.
Genesis 12:1-3 (75 years old)
Genesis 16 (85-86 years old)
Sarah’s idea (only solution conceivable was fleshly)
Hagar despises Sarah
Sarah chases her away
Hagar lives a hard life in the household
Genesis 18:10-12
Genesis 21:1-10
Verse 24-27 — Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which engendereth to bondage, which is Hagar. For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 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 a husband.
An Allegory
Not in the sense that current literature employs the term (Pilgrim’s Progress — story is not true, teaches truth)
It is a “perfect” illustration — more is going on than meets the eye.
Use comparison chart
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An Allegory |
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The Women |
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Bondage |
Liberty |
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Hagar — slave (never free) |
Sarah — freewoman (never a slave) |
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Hagar = intended only as a handmaid |
Sarah = orig. wife of Abraham |
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Hagar = bare first son (Adam) |
Sarah = elder wife (Christ) |
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Mt. Sinai in Arabia >> Jerusalem which is |
City Abram looked for >> Jerusalem above |
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The Sons |
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Ishmael — product of a scheme (flesh) |
Isaac — fruit of divine promise (Spirit) |
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Ishmael is the elder |
Isaac is the younger |
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Not given as means of justification |
Justification by faith |
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No difference in appearance (circumcision) |
No difference as to character (Abraham’s death) |
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No inheritance |
All the inheritance |
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The Covenants |
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Moses’ Law |
Abraham’s Birthright |
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Human achievement |
Justification by grace through faith |
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Law — life by obedience (Leviticus 18:5), death by sinning (Ezekiel 18:20) |
Gospel — life by grace through faith |
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Fleshly offspring less |
Spiritual offspring more |
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Sent away |
Kept in house |
Verse 28-29 — Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
The clincher — we, who believe by faith, are the children of promise
The Judaizers — children of Abraham yes, but also children of Hagar!
Just as Isaac was mocked and persecuted by Ishmael, so the Judaizers mock and persecute true believers.
Verse 30-31 — 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. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Cast out the Judaizers
They want you to cast me (Paul) out
You need to cast them out.
Application
The plan of redemption
God’s plan is one of grace, not works
God’s is a promise, not the product of the flesh
The Christ of salvation
Christ is the promised seed
Christ is the answer – the only answer
The message to the church today
Galatians is written to believers
Not to people who thought they must keep the law to be saved
They began to think they must keep the law to stay saved and to please God
This is categorically false
This is legalism — when you depend on rules, laws, standards to provide your standing with God or with holiness
How should we then live? — chapters 5 and 6
