"It is the Same Now"Galatians 4:29
At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.
Thoughts for Today:Our passage today is a reference to Genesis 21:8-9: "The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking." In the days of Abraham, it was customary to throw a large party in order to celebrate the day a son was weaned from his mother. So it was at the feast thrown in honor of this event that Ishmael first began to taunt and tease Isaac.
In the same way, those who live by the Law tease, taunt and otherwise mock those who don't. These legalists say to the children of God, "You're shallow in your beliefs. You're too immature, worldly, and undisciplined. Unlike you, I'm the one who is truly saved because I always do what is right and keep myself under control." Paul intended for the Galatians to see that the Judaizers were actually their enemies. They weren't their friends, and no good thing would come from them in any way.
Questions to Ponder:There has been, and will continue to be, a great antagonism between the two branches of Abraham's family -- at least until the return of Jesus. There will also be a corresponding hatred by the worldly, unspiritual, and ungodly against His teachings and followers. Regardless of this animosity, most Christians in America have avoided severe persecution because of their faith for the majority of their lives. Yet Paul tells us, "It is the same now." Are you prepared to stand firmly in the event you are asked to face persecution? What does the Bible say about these times? How should you prepare?
At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.
Thoughts for Today:Our passage today is a reference to Genesis 21:8-9: "The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking." In the days of Abraham, it was customary to throw a large party in order to celebrate the day a son was weaned from his mother. So it was at the feast thrown in honor of this event that Ishmael first began to taunt and tease Isaac.
In the same way, those who live by the Law tease, taunt and otherwise mock those who don't. These legalists say to the children of God, "You're shallow in your beliefs. You're too immature, worldly, and undisciplined. Unlike you, I'm the one who is truly saved because I always do what is right and keep myself under control." Paul intended for the Galatians to see that the Judaizers were actually their enemies. They weren't their friends, and no good thing would come from them in any way.
Questions to Ponder:There has been, and will continue to be, a great antagonism between the two branches of Abraham's family -- at least until the return of Jesus. There will also be a corresponding hatred by the worldly, unspiritual, and ungodly against His teachings and followers. Regardless of this animosity, most Christians in America have avoided severe persecution because of their faith for the majority of their lives. Yet Paul tells us, "It is the same now." Are you prepared to stand firmly in the event you are asked to face persecution? What does the Bible say about these times? How should you prepare?
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