The false teachers are deceiving the Galatians into thinking they are not good enough for this salvation. The Apostle is in the middle of the story of Sarah and Abraham. He is demonstrating that when Abraham abandoned the promise and ‘made it happen’ by taking Hagar, the slave, then it pointed to all the generations to come who would try the same. Trying to make it happen for themselves and being acceptable to God through works is the Hagar route. But of course there is another path and which Paul is urging them to see. Sarah demonstrates the grace from God for salvation that is free for us but which God paid the price for. She is the real Jerusalem, our kingdom, our home, heaven.
“But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labour; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” 28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.” (Galatians 4 v 26-28)
Importantly the story of Sarah shows that we will never be good enough, it is always because of God. She wasn’t good enough (neither was Abraham) and Paul now shows that this truth is not only from Genesis 16 but throughout the Israel history as he quotes Isaiah 54.
Why is Paul quoting Isaiah? Why has he chosen to hover over something that happened 1200 years after Abraham and Sarah and 600 years before his own lifetime? First let’s see the context.
The Babylonians have flattened Jerusalem and taken its people back to exile. In Babylon the exiles suffer and find it difficult to practice their faith. So God tells them He will rescue them and bring them back. Isaiah preaches prophetically 150 years ahead to a people he does not know in a nation he has not been to about a Suffering Servant, a Messiah to come and above all about their return home.
Isaiah 54: 1 “Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labour; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord.
Isaiah paints the picture of a woman who has no children, no husband and no home. This is the picture of the people of God and in particular the scene of the ruined city of Jerusalem.
Though this is not the case thankfully in our culture and time but Jerusalem and the people of God looked like a woman who had been robbed of the 3 essentials of life. They are not coming home by their own efforts. Now that they’re in exile and they can do absolutely nothing about it then God says He has got them where He wants them because He can now demonstrate the importance and power of grace. This is why Paul quotes Isaiah 54.
For you today, whether in a painful reality that doesn’t look like changing or maybe you have failed God and others, Sarah is your hope. This is the Bible story throughout. This is the gospel. So do not be deceived any longer into thinking by your own efforts you can change a thing. It is all of Him and all because of Him and His promises for your life. The way out is the Sarah path, the pathway of the promise which Abraham had to come back to in the end. The Apostle says you are Isaac’s, children of the promise, so live in this way. Resist the path of Hagar where Abraham tried to make things happen by his own strength. Allowing people (the false teachers) to convince you that there is more for you to do than just believe and receive from God is deception.
Over the next few days we will ponder some more about this important promise from Isaiah. I think it will help us to do so.
Missions Paul 