Galatians – An Allegory of Hagar and Sarah

Today, we conclude chapter 4 in Galatians.

We have been learning that Salvation is by grace through faith. There is no other name except the name of Jesus by which we can be saved. In this passage Paul delves into the Old Testament and uses Hagar and Sarah and their respective children as an allegory to drive his point that it is impossible to obtain through one’s efforts what only God can divinely decree.  

The entire passage can be read here.

Galatians 4:22-23 “For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.”

Abraham was the one whom God made a covenant with. God had promised that Abraham would have a child. Sarah was well beyond her child bearing years and she was barren. As they wait, they end up taking matters into their own hands and she gives her servant Hagar to Abraham. Hagar conceives and a son Ishamel is born. Abraham and Sarah had sinned, but God in His mercy, blesses Sarah with a son, Isaac.

Abraham and Sarah, felt like they needed to bring the reality of God’s promise by their own actions, by their flesh they made it happen. Ishmael came about through their will. But Isaac was the act of God. God opened Sarah’s womb and fulfilled His promise.

Bringing it back to why Paul was using this example to the Galatians

Hagar – represents the law – people trying to earn God’s favour through the following of the law, thereby representing those without Christ, under the bondage of the Law.

Sarah – represents Grace – The spiritual kingdom of God, those who are heirs through grace.

Ishmael – represents trying in your own strength (works)

Isaac – Gift from God (gift of Grace/salvation)

Isaac had to come by faith, there was nothing Sarah and Abraham could do to make Sarah conceive, but to believe in God’s word to them.  Whereas with Ishmael, they felt in control. There was something they could do. But what was the end result?

Galatians 4:30 “But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”

The underlying crux of this allegory is that just as Ishamel could not be a part of the covenant that God made with Abraham, the same way those who try to earn salvation through the efforts of their flesh (legalism/works) do not get to share in the inheritance. Those who believe are adopted into God’s family and heirs to His promise. There is only one way to be saved and that way is through Jesus. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, He took our sins upon Him, that we may be made righteous before God. Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.

We all can fall into the tendency of trying to control a situation especially when we have to wait or uncertainty can drive us to take matters into our own hands. Christ is our firm foundation. May we rest in that through every season of our lives.

Lord, we thank you for this wonderful gift of salvation that we receive from you. May nothing make us lose sight of what you did for us that enabled us to be part of that inheritance. And may we never lose sight of how we should live as result of being recipients of your grace, Amen.

God Bless.