Week 3
October 14, 2023

Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave (Under The Law), though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards (Being Told How To Do Life) until the time appointed by the father.
Galatians 4:1-2

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.
NKJV Galatians 4:3

So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe.
Revised Standard Version Galatians 4:3

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-5

First: We Are Redeemed
Perfectly Kept The Law
Fulfilled The Law
Paid It’s Curse
Therefore, We Are Free From The Law

Second: We Are Made Sons By Adoption
Not Servants, Not Slaves
But Sons and Daughters

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave (Under The Law) but a son (Faith and Grace), and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Galatians 4:6-7

Hypothetical Question
How Would You Respond In Life If You Were Told You Were The Heir of The Most Loving, Caring, Powerful, Wealthiest Person Who Ever Lived?

But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak (Powerless To Save) and beggarly (Greek Word – Poor) elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?
Galatians 4:6-7

“Paul was likening the Galatians’ departure from the Gospel to them turning back to the idolatry they practiced before their salvation. Indeed, legalism is very similar to idolatry.”

Worship of Idols and The Law = Legalism
Legalism Believes and Assumes God Is A Wrathful God and Has To Be Appeased By Our Efforts

You observe days (Sabbaths) and months (New Moons and Feast) and seasons and years. (Sabbath Year and Jubilee) I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
Galatians 4:10-11

Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
Galatians 4:12-13

But Jews came there from Antioch and Ico′nium; and having persuaded the people, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
Acts 14:19-20

What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
Galatians 4:15-16

Where is that happy spirit that we felt together then?
TLB Galatians 4:15a

They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.
Galatians 4:17-18

My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
Galatians 4:19-20

This Is An Allegory of Two Covenants

Two Women Represent Two Covenants
First One – Hagar – Bondage and Works
Second One – Sarah – Free and Born of Promise

Two Children Represent Two Children
Ishmael – Works of The Flesh – Self-Effort
Isaac – Work of the Spirit – Supernatural

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons (Ishmael and Isaac): the one by a bondwoman (Hagar), the other by a freewoman (Sarah).
Galatians 4:21-22

But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—
Galatians 4:23-24

for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Galatians 4:25-26

For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren (Sarah Before She Had A Child), You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband.”
Galatians 4:27

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.
Galatians 4:28-29

Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “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.
Galatians 4:30-31