Prophetic Prospective Daily Devotional

Paul's message in Galatians is that salvation comes by "grace through faith". He also warns Peter in a public chastisement that a Gentile does not have to become a Jew to then become a Christian.

As Paul prays for the people of Galatia, he writes to them that he wants to be present with the people to work with them "until Christ be formed in them", verses 19-20.

Paul is eager to warn the Galatians that God's grace alone will give them salvation. The Apostle uses a method of presentation to illustrate "grace over works". Paul discusses Abraham's sons, the two that are best known would be Ishmael and Isaac.

The first-born, Ishmael, was born to a "slave woman", and Isaac, the second born, was born of the "free woman". This illustration is speaking to the issue of the one under bondage to the "law", the Mosaic Law given at Mt. Sinai and the one free through "grace".

Paul carries the theme through out this text to conclusion with the statement that "we are not children of the bond woman, but of the free woman", verse 31. This is great doctrinal truth that is applicable for our daily walk with Christ; however, there is more for us to glean from this "field of truth", there is more that we must learn.

In verse 29, Paul uses the text to explain the children of the "flesh", Ishmael, and the children of the "Spirit", Isaac. Paul wrote that these two would be in conflict spiritually and physically. Paul also says that was the case in his day, verse 29. Notice the last five words of verse 29, "even so it is now".

These five words shout out the reality of today, Ishmael against Isaac. Ishmael went to live in Arabia and fathered the people who would become the "Islamic" people of today. Mohammad himself stated that he was a direct descendant of Ishmael. We know that Isaac was the father of Jacob, who became Israel, the Jewish people of today.

There is today a conflict between these two boys, Ishmael, the Islamist and Jacob, the Jews. It is interesting to note that the descendants of Hagar, the Ishmaelites are still slaves to sin.

Though the Jews are still in bondage to sin, one day in the future these sons of the "son of promise", Isaac, will be free in their Messiah, Jesus Christ. But until then the conflict between these two "brothers" will continue, as we see unfolding in our world today.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Thank You Lord for the grace that You gave me for my salvation.