Daily Devotional for Friday, January 24

Hagar Corresponds to Earth Jerusalem

"For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children;' Galatians 4:25.

When aconcept is difficult to explain to children, we use illustrations to help them understand what it means by connecting it to something they already know. Actually, adults need help understanding ideas and concepts as well and benefit from analogies. There are entire genres of literature that are just stories that teach a lesson. When I taught fifth grade, I made up a story about the "Metric Family" to try to help my students remember the metric system prefixes. Jesus used parables to teach the disciples, and prophets used allegory and metaphors to tell of past and future events. Painting a larger picture can sometimes help emphasize the message being conveyed.

Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai, which Paul compared to Hagar. He then equated Mount Sinai and Hagar to the Jerusalem of that day, more specifically, all those who were in bondage to the Law. This encompassed the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees and anyone who denied that Christ was the Messiah. Just asIshmael wasborninto slavery because his mother was a slave, all those who are under Judaism are in spiritual slavery. It is only through a saving faith in Christ that redeems us from the Law.

Paul's audience knew Mount Sinai, and they knew Hagar. They knew about Ishmael's descendants who had always been at war with the Israelites. They knew the Jews in Jerusalem denied Christ's resurrection. This allegory he shared provided yet another illustration of our spiritual freedom in Christ and the yoke of bondage that the Law brings.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

There are still people among us that live in fear of making a mistake or being found unworthy because they cannot keep all of the commandments of Scripture.

May our lives preach the gospel of grace as we live by faith.

Ashley Ridings