“This is allegorically speaking: For these are the two testaments: One is from Sinai giving birth to slavery, which is Hagar. And this Hagar is Mount Sinai and corresponds to the new Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. And the Jerusalem above is free, who is our mother.” (Galatians 4:21-31)
In the name of Jesus. Amen. St. Paul teaches us how to read our Old Testament! Read the Old Testament looking for Jesus!
The book of Genesis tells us about the promise that God made to Abraham, that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. Even though Abraham and his wife, Sarah, were old, God promised that He would bless them with a son.
Doubting God would really give her a son in her old age, Sarah sought to fulfill God’s promise another way. She gave her servant Hagar to Abraham to have a child for her. Hagar had a son named Ishmael, but he wasn’t the child of promise. For our salvation, God did keep His word to Sarah, and she who had been barren brought for her a son named Isaac. Isaac was the child of promise.
The Old Testament is not just a history book. The Scriptures testify about Jesus. Hagar is a picture of the testament of Law, a life spent trying to justify ourselves before God – to stand before God – by what we do. St. Paul calls that life slavery.
We are not in the slavery of sin and the Law, are we? “Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise ” (v.28). We were not born of the bondwoman, Hagar. No, we are free children.
That’s how you read your Old Testament! As you hear and read every page, every word, every paragraph of the Old Testament, ask yourself, “What does this say about my Savior Jesus? What does this say about the Cross? What does this say about the One who died for me?”
The Cross of Christ sets you free – free from sin, free from the Law’s slavery, and even free from death. Who are you? You are a child of promise! You are not under the bondage of the Law, trying to stand before God by what you have done. Not anymore! Not since you were adopted into Isaac’s family, the Jerusalem from above who is free.
That’s how you read the Old Testament! Read it looking for Jesus! In the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Not all the blood of beasts On Jewish altars slain Could give the guilty conscience peace Or wash away the stain. But Christ, the heavenly Lamb, Takes all our sins away; A sacrifice of nobler name And richer blood than they.” (TLH 156, v.1-2)
Higher Things Reflections are written by Rev. George F. Borghardt III, Assistant Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Conroe, TX.