Dear Student of the Word,
It's that time again, and this week we go even deeper into our study of Paul's letter to the Galatians. As we enter chapter five, Paul's theme remained the same. He urged the Galatians not to accept any teaching that was contrary to his! In this week's study, I wrote in part six of this seven-part study:
4:27 – Paul quoted Isaiah 54:1. The entire passage reads:
"Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the Lord. "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband--the Lord Almighty is his name--the Holy one of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.” (Isaiah 54:1-5).
This passage called for faith, for the recipient of this word is directed to enlarge and expand based on the promise that the barren woman will bear fruit. Faith without action is dead and useless (see James 2:17). If you get a promise from God, there is always something that you can do to make room for the provision of the promise. If God has promised you a car, then you must shop and find the model He will give you. If you are going to India as a missionary, then you must study and prepare before you leave. Too many people are waiting for God to do what only they can do. Is this your tendency?
4:28 – You are like Isaac, children of promise. You who believe in Christ—and not Israel—are the promised children of Abraham. Believers are the fulfillment of the promise that the children of the barren woman will be more than the children of the fruitful woman with a husband.
4:29 – Ishmael and Hagar were a source of persecution for Abraham and Isaac.
“But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac." (Genesis 21:9-10).
Paul likened the teachings of the circumcision party to the persecution that Isaac received from Ishmael. Legalism does not like freedom; it hates freedom and persecutes those who enjoy it. The circumcision party was angry that the Gentiles did not have to follow “the rules” as they had to as Jews, so they were determined to bring the Gentiles under the same yoke that they endured. Legalists are often angry and bitter people, who hate seeing anyone enjoy the fruits of grace, fruits that they feel should be worked for.
4:30&31 – What do you do with the effects of legalism and the persecution from legalistic people? You shake them off! It is up to you to reject, avoid and escape from any bonds of legalism that may try to hinder you. You are to “get rid of” the slave woman and her children. You cannot wait for someone else to set you free from the bonds of legalism; you must free yourself.
Are you under the oppression of some religious system? Does someone or a group of people hold you hostage so that you cannot freely serve God’s will and enjoy His benefits? Is your mind held captive by guilt, confusion or some misapplied or misunderstood teaching? Then this instruction from Paul is for you: Get rid of the slave woman. She is not your mother. Faith in God is your mother, so to speak. Stop acting like a “wimp” and take steps to free yourself. You got yourself into this, now you can get yourself out of whatever it is you are in.
As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. For additional Bible studies, check out my website archive, which contains a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse New Testament studies, along with the unpublished volumes of The Faith Files.
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$500 came in for Operation Chicken Coop and some other donations came in this past week for the Sophia Fund and Deborah Foundation. Thank You, Lord! Pictured to the right are some of the children at the Upako Center who are impacted by your generosity (that is a classroom they are in; some of them even sleep there.)
If these Bible studies have been a blessing to you this year, please consider a token of appreciation that will help HIV/AIDS orphans and widows in Kenya as we approach this holiday season. Read how you can do something significant for them here and here. Thank you!
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