Galatians 4:5
“so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
When our first parents sinned, the Lord set in motion a plan to redeem them. The price was so costly (Jesus' life) and the result so grave that it took time. A good portion of the reason was for people to understand the deep hole they were in. A solid record was present as well as remaining in the state that was chosen. Enough of history was present to demonstrate the sinfulness of humanity. At one point, God chose to start over through Noah.
Part of the redemption plan included the Law. That was several steps into the plan. First, the Lord chose to work through a single people group, then to have the message go to everyone all over the earth. Step one was setting apart Abraham. Step two was introducing him to his homeland.
Step three brought the people to Egypt which saw the population grow to great numbers. The Egyptians enslaved them which brought step four, the deliverance from Egypt. Step five had the Lord giving the Law through Moses. This gave a greater definition of the Lord's relationship with His people. It included a sacrificial system, which introduced a way to deal with sin.
The Law was a big step. It was a code of living in relationship to each other and with God. However, the people learned that they couldn't keep it. That's why the sacrificial system came, to deal with the sin. While God's mercy aided them, it was still cumbersome.
Paul described the result of the Law in Romans 7:10,11, "and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me." This is what today's passage is referring to when it says that it was necessary to be redeemed from the Law. It wasn't possible to keep.
We needed redemption, the Law made it very clear that what the problem was. We were fallen people who needed God's help. We couldn't do it ourselves. He had to come down and do it for us. We had to be redeemed from our guilt and from the Law.
This new life in Christ is quite a contrast from life under the Law. Keeping the Law was too difficult. While the animal sacrifices covered sin, it was still too cumbersome. Matthew 11:28-30 describes the new life, 'Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
The Law was too difficult, but Jesus' new way is easy and light. The problem with guilt has been addressed. We've been redeemed from the curse of the Law. Lord, thank You for this redemption. Thank You for this great relationship. We are so honored to be the object of Your favor and love.