Contrasting Covenants
Galatians 4:21-31
After a long, dry sermon, the minister announced that he wished to meet with the church's board following the close of the service. The first man to arrive and greet the minister was a total stranger. "You misunderstood my announcement. This is a meeting of the board members," explained the minister. "I know," said the man, "but if there is anyone here more bored than I am, I'd like to meet him."
A minister delivered a sermon in 30 minutes one Sunday morning, which was about half the usual length of his sermons. He explained, "I regret to inform you that my dog, who is very fond of eating paper, ate that portion of my sermon which I was unable to deliver this morning." After the service, a visitor from another church shook hands with the preacher and said, "Reverend, if that dog of yours has any pups, I want to give one to my minister."
When I finish tonight some of you may get together and go buy me a dog! Tonight is going to be more of a study than a typical sermon but these verses are a great help in understanding the entire context of this epistle.
In these few verses Paul begins to draw some contrasts between the Abrahamic & Mosaic covenants. So let's dig in and see what Paul had to say to the recipients of this letter.
We will being with:
I. The Reference - v21 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.
Here Paul specifically refers to those who believed it was necessary to keep the Law of Moses. The reference that he uses is one that would clearly speak to his readers... he uses Abraham as an example.
Abraham had two sons:
1) Ishmael who was from Hagar (a bondwoman)
2) Isaac who was of Sarah (a free woman)
Throughout this epistle the Law has represented bondage. We have also seen time and time again that grace represents freedom.
Paul states in verse 23 that "Ishmael was born after the flesh; but Isaac was born promise".The reason that Ishmael was born was because Abraham and Sarah were impatient and showed a lack of faith in God's promise. Things didn't happen when and how they thought that it should so they took matters into their own hands. Regardless of their rebellion, in His time... GOD FULFILLED HIS PROMISE! Even in their old age God enabled Abraham and Sarah to conceive Isaac.
Israel and the Law were symbolic of the bondwoman's children. Isaac and eventually Abraham's promised seed (Jesus) came from the freewoman as a result of promise. It was important for Paul to address this issue among the Galatian believers. It was a way of refuting the teaching of the Judaizers. But it was also beneficial information for them to possess. Paul was reminding them what they had been delivered from.
It is beneficial for us to look at God's Word and His work thought history that has brought us to where we are. And even more so, He will eventually lead us home! This morning we talked about those who have "retreated". Those who have experienced the freedom that comes through Christ and then have voluntarily returned to bondage.
Maybe you are here and you are on the verge of retreating yourself. Maybe you are facing difficulty and have began to lose ground spiritually speaking. Can I encourage you to remember where you were before Jesus. Consider where He has brought you from and all that He has done for you! And remember the bondage and oppression that you came out of. I believe that if you consider those things it may help keep you from retreating!
Paul starts this section of his letter with a reference, but as he goes on he begins to reveal some important truths to his readers.
Notice with me if you will:
II. The Revelation -v24 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.
In these verses Paul goes further in explaining what he calls an "allegory. Allegory (al-uh-gawr-ee) A story that has a deeper or more general meaning in addition to its surface meaning. The Greek word was used of a story that conveyed a meaning beyond the literal sense of the words. In this account Paul uses Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Isaac, Ishmael and the Mosaic and Abrahamic covenants to illustrate a spiritual truth. Ultimately what we have here is a contrast between the Law and Grace.
Paul revealed several contrasts in this allegory:
A. 2 Mothers (Sarah & Hagar) - Sarah was the wife of Abraham. In this "allegory" Sarah represents the covenant of promise. Hagar was Sarah's handmaid (personal servant) It was Sarah's idea for Abraham to conceive a child with her handmaid.
* Genesis 16:1 ¶Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. 3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. - Just as Sarah represents the promise, Hagar is used to represent slavery.
B. 2 Sons (Isaac & Ishmael) - Ishmael represents the flesh and the Law. Isaac represents the Spirit, freedom and grace.
C. 2 Births (Fleshly & Spiritual)
Hagar represents the Mosaic covenant (the law). Paul states that this covenant "gendereth to bondage" it produces children for slavery. Hagar (a slave) gave birth to a son named Ishmael. Ishmael was born into bondage or slavery because of his mother. The Law puts those subject to it into spiritual slavery.
There are two births for us today! There is the physical birth (flesh) and then the spiritual birth (spirit)
D. 2 Covenants (Abrahamic & Mosaic)
Paul mentions two covenants. The Mosaic and Abrahamic. We saw in chapter 3 that God's covenant with Moses could not and did not supersede or interfere with God's covenant with Abraham.
*Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
The Mosaic covenant had a purpose but as we saw back in chapter 3 it was never intended to be a way of salvation. Many people believe that there was a way of salvation for the Old Testament saint. And that there is another way of salvation for the New Testament saint.
This concept is refuted throughout this Epistle:
*Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
*Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
*Galatians 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
The purpose of the Mosaic Covenant was only to show all who were under its demands and condemnation their desperate need for salvation by grace alone . Simply put the Law was intended to point people to the Savior!
E. 2 Jerusalems (Old & New)
The Mosaic covenant was given to the physical house of Israel. The covenant of promise was for the spiritual house of Israel. We have seen in previous chapters that this refers to all believers in Christ. The law brought bondage upon the people. Grace brings freedom and liberty!
Notice the phrase “Jerusalem which is above is free”... This speaks of Heaven - Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling,
We are free from the Mosaic law and are now permanent citizens of Heaven. We are not bound by works, rituals, ceremonies or any other observances. We are free thorough Christ and citizens of that Holy City!
Let's look to Revelation 21 for a moment and get a brief glimpse of that city that is waiting for us! - Revelation 21:1 ¶And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
What a joy to know that we have a home like that waiting for us. Paul wanted the Galatian believers to grasp the benefits of being "in Christ" - The Judaizers attempted to earn righteousness by the law and they received bondage and condemnation in return.
*Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
But those who put their faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ are free from the Law and it's curse!
So far we have seen the Reference and the Revelation concerning these contrasting covenants. Finally I would like to see:
III. The Result v28-30
What is the result of all that we have seen? FREEDOM! - v28 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.
Isaac was a partaker in the promise that God made to Abraham. And as believers we are recipients of those promises as well.
*Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
The Galatian believers and we too are recipients of the promise not because of works of the Law but because of faith in Christ! Notice what Paul says in verse 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Ishmael persecuted or mocked Isaac in Genesis 21:8 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.
Ishmaels descendants have been persecuting Isaacs descendants ever since. Ishmael's descendants are the Arabs and Isaac's are the Jews. Go home and turn on the TV or the internet you can watch it live tonight!
Look closly at the final verse of this chapter - v30 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.
God told Abraham in Genesis 21 to send Hagar and Ishmael away from Sarah and Isaac. This is exactly what Paul thought the Galatian believers should do to the Judaizers. The bondage of the Law and the freedom of grace cannot exist together. Jesus is the only way to Heaven...It is not Jesus plus the Law. Jesus alone is the "way the truth and the life" and no man goes to the Father except through Him! Jesus is all that we have and He is all that we need.
And the Judaizers were nothing more than false teachers who were causing division and turmoil in the church. And there is scriptural evidence to support removing these types of people from the assembly!
Through all of this we find that from the beginning...GOD HAD A PLAN! When He made His Covenant with Abraham...HE HAD A PLAN! When He made His Covenant with Moses... HE HAD A PLAN! He still has a plan! No matter what happens, ultimately HIS PLAN WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED
