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"Children of promise..."

Text: Galatians 4:28

SYMBOLIC STORIES

The apostle drew much from the ancient historical stories of the patriarchs. One such story was the tension between Isaac and Ishmael. Genesis 21:9 recorded a time when Ishmael was scoffing at Isaac. To Paul this had symbolic significance as well.

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

1. “Now we, brethren”

a) Paul identified with the Galatians.

b) He saw them as “brethren” even though they were faltering.

2. “As Isaac was, are children of promise”

a) Isaac became a symbolic icon.

b) He was a symbol of “promise”.

c) God had given Abraham and Sarah a promise that they would have a child of their own.

d) Those who found faith in Christ are called “children of promise”.

3. “But, as he who was born according to the flesh”

a) This was a reference to Ishmael.

b) He was called “born according to the flesh” (in contrast to “promise”).

c) Those who desire to be under the law are identified with Ishmael.

4. Persecuted him

a) Ishmael “persecuted” Isaac.

b) Those born according to the flesh will persecute the children of promise.

c) Suffering is to be expected.

5. “Who was born according to the Spirit”

a) The Spirit of God was brought in for good measure.

b) He is the One who regenerates giving the second birth.

c) All who truly believe in Jesus are “born according to the Spirit”.

d) They must expect persecution from those born according to the flesh.

e) As it was in the days of Isaac, so it was in the days of the apostle Paul.