28 Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit, so also now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.” 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.
Galatians 4:28-31
like Isaac, are children of promise
Paul gives us a lot to ponder today.
In what way are we children of promise?
What promises did God fulfill when He saved us?
What lessons can we learn from that?
Our salvation is awe-inspiring. It is a testament to God’s unwavering and fulfilled promises to us. These promises echo throughout the pages of the Old Testament. Glorious prophecies, like those found in Isaiah 53, 49:6, and 42:6, breathe life into His divine plan. They reveal a profound love that transcends time. These sacred promises were not mere words. They were powerful declarations made hundreds, even thousands, of years in advance. These promises ignite a flame of hope within our souls.
It is first alluded to in Genesis.
15 I will put hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.[a]
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.Genesis 3:15
Later emphasized to Abraham.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt,
and all the peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.Genesis 12:3
God made a profound promise at the very dawn of the Old Testament. He vowed to rescue us from the clutches of sin. He vowed to send a savior, and oh, how He fulfilled that promise in magnificent ways!
What an incredible honor it is to be a child of promise; it signifies:
• We are not mere accidents. Each of us is crafted with purpose. We are a divine masterpiece in the hands of our Creator. He has a magnificent plan that is being fulfilled!
• God is absolutely sovereign; there is nothing in this world that can thwart His great designs for our lives!
• We are deeply loved and cherished; we are not just wanted, we are sought after with an everlasting love!
• We have a heavenly Father who tirelessly watches over us. He will faithfully carry on the incredible work He began within us!
Think back on your life. Write down 5 promises from Scripture that you have experienced God fulfilling in your life. Spend some time in prayer. Thank Him for each of these promises. Appreciate all the promises He has kept on your behalf.
the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit,
Paul takes the illustration further.
Ishmael persecuted Isaac in the form of mocking. And Jews who relied on the law persecuted believers. Throughout Acts, we see that they followed Paul from city to city. Their goal was to persecute him, his team, and the newly established churches.
Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.
Paul is quoting Genesis 21:10 here. In like manner, we should cast out false teachers who teach a works-based salvation. They and their teachings should be put out of the church. Paul invites us to ponder, am I a child of the slave woman or of the free? If I am free, what should I do? Write down at least one practical way. Determine how you can obey what you have learned in this passage during the coming week.
Cross References:
- John 15:19-20
- Isaiah 53
- Isaiah 49:6
- Isaiah 42:6
- Genesis 3:15
- Genesis 12:3
- Genesis 21:9-10
Questions to Ponder:
• Where did the Galatians fit into this allegory?
• Who was the one born according to the flesh? How about the one born according to the Spirit?
• What point is Paul making in verse 30?
• What is his conclusion in verse 31?
© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.
Need help?
Get in touch
it0starts0small@gmail.com
It Starts Small 
Leave a comment