Sinai, the City and Slavery

Galatians 4:24–27 (NIV),

²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”

We believe that Paul wrote these things under the direct inspiration of the Spirit. Because of the infallible leading of the Spirit, Paul had permission to do something we do not, that is, make figurative or allegorical conclusions from real biblical events. See my blog HERE that describes an example of that.  In this case we are told that Hagar and Sarah, previously mentioned, also produce a figurative lesson for us. "Abraham is a figure of God, which hath two sons, that is to say, two sorts of people who are represented by Ishmael and Isaac. These two are born unto him by Agar and Sarah, the which signifieth the two Testaments, the Old and the New." [1]

The giving of the Law and the constituting of a people (Israel) is likened to Hagar's son.  They are people born of the flesh; carnal and not sons of promise. Sinai, constitutionally brought a great people into existence, but a people born not of promise.  Israel as a nation, according to the flesh, are not heirs of God, but servants.   "Ishmael then is not the heir, although he be the natural son of Abraham, but remaineth a bondman. What is here lacking? The promise and the blessing of the Word." [1] (see previous blog HERE for explanation.)

Then Paul continues the allegory and says that as as Hagar represents Sinai, so too does it prefigure the earthly Jerusalem. "That earthly Jerusalem (saith he) which is beneath, having the policy and ordinances of the law, is Agar, and is in bondage with her children; that is to say, she is not delivered from the law, sin and death. But Jerusalem which is above, that is to say, the spiritual Jerusalem, is Sarah." [1]  So what is this heavenly Jerusalem?  "Now this heavenly Jerusalem which is above, is the Church, that is to say, the faithful dispersed throughout the whole world, which have one and the same Gospel, one and the same faith in Christ, the same Holy Ghost, and the same Sacraments." [1]  This is supported by the writer to the Hebrews and the Apostle John:

“But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22–24, NIV) 

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2, NIV)  

"The heavenly Jerusalem is a free mother with free children." [2]  (This is an important segue into Chapter 5).  And then Paul quotes Isaiah 54:1.  There was a sense where the Church was hidden for many years.  The Church, even as Sarah, birthed no children.  Paul called this “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.” (Colossians 1:26, NIV).  But she who was thought to be barren will bear many, many children.  "As Isaiah prophesied (Isa. 54:1), the exile did not spell the end for the people of God. God will again work supernaturally to bring about the (new) birth of children where there are none, even among the Gentiles." [3]

God never intended the nation of Israel, ethnic Israel, Israel born from and under the Law, to bring spiritual fruit.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh (John 3:6).  No there is a spiritual Israel, the true people of God, born of the Spirit who are the spiritual offspring and promise of God.  We as New Covenant people know that this productive people are called the Church.   

Father, how sad it is that millions of people, including Christians are seeking to find hope within the ethnic nation of Israel.  They are looking for Your Presence among the lands of Palestine and in the ancient city of Jerusalem.  Yet Father Your Word is plain and clear that hope is found in the true Church, the Body of Christ; and it is there where You are loved, adored and worshiped that we can know Your Presence. Israel according to the flesh will never bring forth spiritual children; but the Israel of God, the Church is "appointed to bear fruit. Fruit that remains."  For that we sing. For that we rejoice.  At the same time we pray for the many zealous Jews and the many deluded Christians who are looking to Palestine for freedom. What bondage they are in.  Freedom is Your gift to us who look to You within the Spirit-wrought New Covenant. Praise God, Jehovah has sent His Messiah; and His Messiah reigns!  May all see Christ and sing for joy.  Glory to God in the highest. Peace on earth, on men to whom God is well pleased.  Amen.

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1.  Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 4:24-26). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2394). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 

3, Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2253). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.