Galatians 4:21-31, 5:1 ~ Children of the Free

 

 Galatians 4:21-31, 5:1

4 21  Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,

"Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.”and those of the one who has a husband.”

28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

5  For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

When my parents were explaining the evening news to me in elementary school, we had to discuss the violence of the Vietnam War. Why we wore and prayed for MIA and POW.  My parents said, the war was too far away to have been taken on. A bad idea. A world away. People were angry, the young and poor went. Bravery was in the men who fought. They fought for the goodness of democracy.  Injured and Brave, to be respected at all costs. And for the angry about the Vietnam War, understandable, but shouldn't be directed at the Brave War Heroes.  

My father said so many issues were created, each issue should be examined for goodness, duty, bravery, patriotism and wisdom with peace. The apple was sliced in all directions. And we prayed for the men, the families and their children. We wore bracelets to remember to pray.

Columbus Day falls in this category. We don't ask the blind to see. Or the lame to run. Why would we ask someone from 1492 to know about compassion in the same measure we know today. Children were swaddled, hung on the wall, and defecated on the floor in 1492.  Children in the Middle Ages were named when they were . . . . . Five years old. Why would we expect them to know compassion. Names weren't wasted on children, who died so easily of a cold or injury. Children were treated like disposable cups and plates until age 5. 

Columbus left a diary, and in his diary he often spoke of salvation. It was the era of the Spanish Inquisition. Ignorant and large and in charge. King Ferdinand judged Columbus to be a failure in a naval or pirating  capacity and put him in jail for up to five years. 

Jane Austin era. 1775=1817. Romance, beauty, love. Mansfield Park and Persuasion. We learn the British Navy wasn't paid, but instead looted in piracy. Never is it mentioned, slave ships and warships were the looted. Slavery is seen as bad. Piracy to be made rich is seen as good.

If we try to judge history.

 Let's say Theodore Roosevelt's parents must have been evil to have died in their early 40s. Except this was precisely the longevity of the age. And they died, wealthy and in New York City. This age is mortality, at the same age as many and most - this is the life expectancy. This is the life expectancy of many in Africa, today.  In 1924, Calvin Coolidge, Jr, age 16, died from the White House to Walter Reid hospital from a blister on his foot. Times change.

What about today? Will John Glenn be castigated for participating with Nasa having used a monkey as a test agent. Will Nasa face scrutiny for continuing when human beings died?

How can we participate with mere children being told to have sexual discussions they can't understand and should never have this legally accepted. 

What can we decide about Galatians 4 being politically incorrect about slavery for Hagar, of Arabia, with her rather enforced slavery son born to Hagar, their son, Ishmael.  

Jesus said in Matthew 19:8 

 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

Jesus was acknowledging, in the same way as Kings and Chronicles of the Bible, generations change.  He wasn't in favor of the changes, but He knew people and generations change. And change again, going back and forward. 

We have to find how we understand and relate to Galatians 4. The answer is easy. Mercy. We want all the Mercy we can find in Jesus to cover us and bring us into His Joy Jesus has found in life. We want to see His smile and see God make all things new again. Right with Love. Hope. Joy. Mercy. Grace. LOVE!

Eli understood God left Eli's sons out for being very crooked and usury with their Temple Power.  And the Word of God assures us Eli's sons were OUT of God's favor. Samuel was to know the People of Israel did not want Samuel's sons for the same reason as his mentor Eli. Samuel graciously accepted that as true. Hezekiah was told his grace and faith had saved his generation, but oops, not his sons. Hezekiah accepted this fate for them.

And then we have Abraham arguing God with God. God is too gracious to let people die. And Abraham wants God to bless Ishmael too. God Loves Abraham and calls Abraham His Friend and Righteous.

Abraham is in the wrong to have made Hagar accept Abraham and his longed for pregnancy. Abraham would have been and was wrong to not care for Ishmael. Generational problems result. Yet, in Abraham's fallen attempt to help Ishmael, he aligns himself with the Mercy of Jesus. The messiness of life. The necessity of messy Scripture. Where we want to see the Most Mercy Possible. God, snap, snap, sweep up. 

Instead, God gives His Own Son to reveal His Love and His Heart. His Nature. Not Eli, not Samuel, not David, not Hezekiah. Instead, JESUS! Before Abraham, Jesus is Light of the World.

Thank GOD. Amen.

Why would God have seasons of Prodigal Son?

The history of the world displays, every 500 years, upheaval happens. 

And in the recovery, mankind advances in education, medicine

and hope for all mankind.

Jesus Christ is Light to the Nations

Giving thanks, God Loves the world and saves us in Jesus Christ.

Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you and me

Jesus Christ is Light of Heaven

John 14:19

Because I live,

you will live

The Kingdom of Light, Heaven, Jesus Christ, Our Father

is today. We bring more Heaven on earth in faith.
Give Justice with mercy,

walk with the Lord,

Let God be God,

be grateful and His Child.

Give Thanksgiving.

Look for His Joy.

Walk in awe and love.

Today!

Abba, Father,

Giving thanks to the Father, 

who has qualified you

 to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness 

and 

brought us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son, 

in whom we have redemption, 

the forgiveness of sins.

Psalm 24 ~ The earth is the Lord's 
and the fullness thereof

God is so astonishingly available.

We would pray with Jesus Christ to let the Spirit give Life to this prayer.

Dwell in us.

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to seek You first.

And in Jesus, we will finish well.

Thank You for 12 Open Gates of Heaven. Thank You for Jesus our mediator. 

Thank You, You ask as God for us to pray and talk with You.
You are a God of open arms, open heart, open ear policies. Our Father.

We rise up in Love, giving You are cares - the real ones.

We pray for the upcoming and recent weather events,

asking Your Mercy and Love.

Giving You the People we Love - knowing prayer stirs up Life.

We pray Goodness goes very well.

And for Dee and her health.

For my sons and their new paths, life has presented them.

Praying for the Nation. Healing. And the upset world.

Giving You all people around the world, thinking of the millenniums and Jesus.

Thank You, Abba, Your Hope and Plan is ongoing.

The world has prayed for Ukraine,

let us all have this prayer for all the world.

Thank You for Your Life, Jesus. 

We will live on with You in the Hope and Future of Your Plan for us all.

Amen in Jesus Christ

Rejoice
Rejoice!

May the God of peace, 

who through the blood of the eternal covenant 

brought back from the dead 

our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 

Equip you with everything good for doing His will, 

and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, 

through Jesus Christ, 

to whom be glory 

for ever 

and ever. 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus Christ Love and Lord of All