Daily Devotional for Saturday, August 20

Allegory of Sinai

This is interesting. Paul uses the word allegory; actually, the Bible interpreters used the word. This is using a poem or story to reveal a symbolic meaning. The historical story of Sarah and Hagar does illustrate a truth and a meaning. God is not about hiding the ways and meanings of salvation from you, and He certainly did not start in the book of Galatians. Paul does use the story of Sarah and Hagar to illustrate a meaning beyond the literal sense of the story. 

The contrast here is between the Law and grace, with Sarah representing grace while Hagar represents the Law. You have to be careful, as Paul was in no way teaching that the two covenants represented two different ways of salvation. Sadly, some still maintain that the Old Testament saints were saved by the Law, while New Testament saints are saved by grace. This is not true. Salvation has always been by grace, through faith; read Hebrews 11 to see this truth powerfully illustrated. Every person in this chapter was clearly saved because they believed, not because they followed the Law. 

The Law was only to show the Old Testament saints, and you, how you come short of the glory of God. It was to show that you could never measure up, and that you needed help. That help, of course, is the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a better covenant, because by it you are freed from the Law, and free to serve in love and obedience!

JUST A THOUGHT: While you are not released from God’s moral law, you do not have to follow rules to earn God’s grace and live free in Jesus Christ.

Wally Fry