Old Testament: Isaiah 28:14-30:11
Read this passage on BibleGateway.com
Isaiah 28:14-30:11 Ar-iel Headed
Chap. 28: 14 – 29: The southern kingdom of Judah should have understood that when the northern kingdom of Israel was taken by Assyria that they needed to pay attention to God’s warnings. But they didn’t. They eventually went into captivity to Babylon. Verse 16 is the promise of the Messiah, the cornerstone. This verse is quoted in Eph. 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6, also note Zech. 10:4.
Chap. 29: Jerusalem, in Judah, was specially called out. Ariel means “lion of God” and normally would apply to Judah. Ariel can also mean “altar hearth of God.” God is saying that though they were known as a lion they would become a place of slaughter. (Ariel as the lion was also the symbol of Assyria so God could be saying that Ariel would take Judah’s place as the “new lion.”)
Jesus quotes v. 13 in Mat. 15, “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’” (Mat. 15: 7-9). The Jews were “religionists.” In other words, they were faking it. Outwardly they seemed like upstanding Jews but inwardly they were unrepentant. Thank goodness we don’t have that sort of thing today! (Sarcasm.)
Chap. 30: (1-11) Judah was warned not to have a treaty with Egypt. This time they listened and didn’t form an alliance with Egypt.
New Testament: Galatians 3:23-4:31
Read this passage on BibleGateway.com
Galatians 3:23-4:31 Hoosier Mama?
The Law was our “tutor” to bring us to Christ. “Tutor” is probably the best translation. The law guided us to Christ by showing us our sin. We have “put on” Christ (cf. Rom. 13: 14) so that God sees us through Jesus. Every person in Christ has the same access to God since they are all “in Christ” (v. 28-29).
We can call God Father (v. 6). Do you trust Him that much?
So you thought you were a big deal because you “know” God. Scripture says the big deal is that He recognizes you (v. 9). We don’t have to observe any special days anymore, except birthdays (v. 10, mine is next week for anyone giving gifts). Christmas and Easter are OK to celebrate but only as long as you don’t figure you’ll get any special merit for it. That would be legalism.
Paul had an illness that steered him to them (v. 13). God uses even illnesses and poverty to guide us. Sometimes it’s easier for Him that way. They showed Paul great hospitality and would have even “plucked out their eyes” and given them to him (v. 15). This would also be a clue that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7) was related to his eyesight.
“Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (v. 16). That is the theme of some ministries. I’ve felt that way. If people are “in the flesh,” they are almost never in the mood to hear the truth and take it out on the pastor. Believe me. It’s true. Paul just wanted the best for them and was genuinely confused how they could have fallen away from where they were spiritually (v. 20). (Been there done that.)
In verses 21-31, Paul uses the analogy of Isaac and Ishmael to illustrate the difference between being under law or under grace. Ryrie says, “Hagar stands for the Mosaic Law, slavery, Mount Sinai, Jerusalem then under slavery to Rome, and flesh. Sarah and Isaac stand for the Abrahamic covenant, the heavenly Jerusalem, the Spirit, and freedom
Here’s how it breaks out:
Hagar/Ishmael Sarah/Isaac
Mosaic Law Abrahamic Covenant
slavery freedom
Mount Sinai/law grace
Jerusalem under Roman rule heavenly Jerusalem
the “flesh” the Spirit
(thanks to Charles Ryrie for above)