TODAYS CONFLICT BETWEEN HAGAR AND SARAH
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 [natural reproduction]; but he of the freewoman was by promise [supernatural]. Which things are an allegory: FOR THESE ARE THE TWO COVENANTS; the one from the mount Sinai [Old Covenant] which gendereth [begets or brings forth] to BONDAGE, which is [H]Agar. For this [H]Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth [corresponds] to Jerusalem which now is [in Israel], AND IS IN BONDAGE WITH HER CHILDREN. But [New] Jerusalem which is above [in heaven] is FREE, which is the mother of us all Now we brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise [children of God through the promise of eternal life]. 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. Stand fast therefore in THE LIBERTY WHEREWITH CHRIST HATH MADE US FREE, and BE NOT ENTANGLED AGAIN WITH THE YOKE OF BONDAGE. Galatians 4:22-31; 5:1.
Given a choice in this world, humanity would rather be free then enslaved. Yet, given a choice in the spiritual realm, many (perhaps the majority) prefer bondage to freedom. That is the reason for the existence of the book of Galatians, since the conflict between Hagar and Sarah never ends.
We all know how Abram was chosen out of an idolatrous nation and commanded to go to Canaan, not knowing whither he went (Heb. 11:8). He was told that he would become a great nation (Genesis 12:2) and be tremendously blessed. But Sarai [later Sarah], his wife remained barren, and they both concluded that time was running out, so they must devise a plan born of their own wisdom. Thus Sarais bondmaid (handmaid) Hagar was given to Abram for the sake of bringing an heir into the world. But since God had been excluded from this decision, there was conflict between Hagar and Sarai, as well as conflict between Ishmael, Hagars son and Isaac, the son of promise who was born to Sarah eventually when Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah 90 [a supernatural birth] (Gen. 17:17). Abraham still could not see Gods plan and would have preferred Ishmael over Isaac. So God had to make it very plain: But my [everlasting] covenant will I establish with Isaac (Gen. 17:19-21).
We know that Ishmael [God will hear], the progenitor of the Arabs is politically in conflict with Isaac [He laughs] in the Middle East. But Hagar is in spiritual conflict with Sarah throughout the world, as they were at the time when Paul addressed the Galatians. The conflict was between the freedom of those who will enter the New Jerusalem BY GODS GRACE because they are clothed in HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and those who look back to the Old Jerusalem by DOING THE WORKS OF THE LAW. Abraham DID NOT look for the earthly Jerusalem, For he looked for a city which hath [twelve] foundations, WHOSE BUILDER AND MAKER IS GOD (Heb.11:10). Because of his faith (Heb.11:8-12) Abraham saw Paradise in the third heaven (as did Paul) and all who believe like Abraham are destined for the New Jerusalem (Rev. 19:6-9; 21:1-27; 22:1-5).
Those who look backward at the Old Jerusalem seek to be in bondage, so the Holy Spirit warns them to not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. What is this bondage? It is bondage to the ordinances given at Mount Sinai, which were only shadows: But now, after that ye have known God [experientially through the new birth], or rather are known of God [because He dwells within you], how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto YE DESIRE AGAIN TO BE IN BONDAGE? Ye observe DAYS, and MONTHS, and TIMES, and YEARS (see Col. 2:16-17) Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, CHRIST SHALL PROFIT YOU NOTHING For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; BUT FAITH WHICH WORKETH BY [GODS] LOVE. (Gal.4:9-10,21; 5:2,6).
So why did God come to Mount Sinai? But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed [through the proclamation of the Gospel]. WHEREFORE THE LAW WAS OUR SCHOOLMASTER [Gk. paidagogos {pahee-dag-o-gos}] TO BRING US UNTO CHRIST, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come [by the hearing of the Gospel], we are no longer under a schoolmaster (Gal. 3:23-25).This schoolmaster or paidagogos supervised boys until they came manhood, after which there was no need for supervision. Since the Holy Spirit is the believers Supervisor there is no need for Moses. The Spirit will guide you into ALL TRUTH.
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 [natural reproduction]; but he of the freewoman was by promise [supernatural]. Which things are an allegory: FOR THESE ARE THE TWO COVENANTS; the one from the mount Sinai [Old Covenant] which gendereth [begets or brings forth] to BONDAGE, which is [H]Agar. For this [H]Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth [corresponds] to Jerusalem which now is [in Israel], AND IS IN BONDAGE WITH HER CHILDREN. But [New] Jerusalem which is above [in heaven] is FREE, which is the mother of us all Now we brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise [children of God through the promise of eternal life]. 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. Stand fast therefore in THE LIBERTY WHEREWITH CHRIST HATH MADE US FREE, and BE NOT ENTANGLED AGAIN WITH THE YOKE OF BONDAGE. Galatians 4:22-31; 5:1.
Given a choice in this world, humanity would rather be free then enslaved. Yet, given a choice in the spiritual realm, many (perhaps the majority) prefer bondage to freedom. That is the reason for the existence of the book of Galatians, since the conflict between Hagar and Sarah never ends.
We all know how Abram was chosen out of an idolatrous nation and commanded to go to Canaan, not knowing whither he went (Heb. 11:8). He was told that he would become a great nation (Genesis 12:2) and be tremendously blessed. But Sarai [later Sarah], his wife remained barren, and they both concluded that time was running out, so they must devise a plan born of their own wisdom. Thus Sarais bondmaid (handmaid) Hagar was given to Abram for the sake of bringing an heir into the world. But since God had been excluded from this decision, there was conflict between Hagar and Sarai, as well as conflict between Ishmael, Hagars son and Isaac, the son of promise who was born to Sarah eventually when Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah 90 [a supernatural birth] (Gen. 17:17). Abraham still could not see Gods plan and would have preferred Ishmael over Isaac. So God had to make it very plain: But my [everlasting] covenant will I establish with Isaac (Gen. 17:19-21).
We know that Ishmael [God will hear], the progenitor of the Arabs is politically in conflict with Isaac [He laughs] in the Middle East. But Hagar is in spiritual conflict with Sarah throughout the world, as they were at the time when Paul addressed the Galatians. The conflict was between the freedom of those who will enter the New Jerusalem BY GODS GRACE because they are clothed in HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and those who look back to the Old Jerusalem by DOING THE WORKS OF THE LAW. Abraham DID NOT look for the earthly Jerusalem, For he looked for a city which hath [twelve] foundations, WHOSE BUILDER AND MAKER IS GOD (Heb.11:10). Because of his faith (Heb.11:8-12) Abraham saw Paradise in the third heaven (as did Paul) and all who believe like Abraham are destined for the New Jerusalem (Rev. 19:6-9; 21:1-27; 22:1-5).
Those who look backward at the Old Jerusalem seek to be in bondage, so the Holy Spirit warns them to not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. What is this bondage? It is bondage to the ordinances given at Mount Sinai, which were only shadows: But now, after that ye have known God [experientially through the new birth], or rather are known of God [because He dwells within you], how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto YE DESIRE AGAIN TO BE IN BONDAGE? Ye observe DAYS, and MONTHS, and TIMES, and YEARS (see Col. 2:16-17) Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, CHRIST SHALL PROFIT YOU NOTHING For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; BUT FAITH WHICH WORKETH BY [GODS] LOVE. (Gal.4:9-10,21; 5:2,6).
So why did God come to Mount Sinai? But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed [through the proclamation of the Gospel]. WHEREFORE THE LAW WAS OUR SCHOOLMASTER [Gk. paidagogos {pahee-dag-o-gos}] TO BRING US UNTO CHRIST, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come [by the hearing of the Gospel], we are no longer under a schoolmaster (Gal. 3:23-25).This schoolmaster or paidagogos supervised boys until they came manhood, after which there was no need for supervision. Since the Holy Spirit is the believers Supervisor there is no need for Moses. The Spirit will guide you into ALL TRUTH.
