It is hard for us to appreciate just what these words of Paul would really mean to any Jewish readers. The Law and Jerusalem were absolutely central to the Jewish faith, yet Paul is now saying that they represent slavery. We need to beware of things that we have deep emotional attachments to, for it is very easy for them to become an idol to us.
Paul is convinced that God had a far greater purpose in mind than slavery to the Law, and he quotes Isaiah 54 to express his belief. In Christ there is freedom and fruitfulness.
Paul goes back to the Ishmael and Isaac analogy to illustrate a further point. Ishmael mocked Isaac, in the same way the Jews mocked the church. God commanded Abraham to get rid of Ishmael, in the same way the Christians needed to have no reliance on the Law for salvation.
Paul is convinced that God had a far greater purpose in mind than slavery to the Law, and he quotes Isaiah 54 to express his belief. In Christ there is freedom and fruitfulness.
Paul goes back to the Ishmael and Isaac analogy to illustrate a further point. Ishmael mocked Isaac, in the same way the Jews mocked the church. God commanded Abraham to get rid of Ishmael, in the same way the Christians needed to have no reliance on the Law for salvation.
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