Galatians 4:23
“The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise.”
The freeborn wife is symbolic of the miraculous work the Lord does. This is contrasted with the slave wife. The fact that there was a slave brings shame. Civilizations were built upon the backs of slaves. While they may appear beautiful and prosperous, it's a witness against them as it was unjustly done.
Israel was an example of what God can do with a people. They were in bondage with no power, yet he freed them from the enslaving power. As they left captivity the Egyptians showered them with gifts. They were guided and provided for in the wilderness. Another miracle. They should have died of exposure and hunger. Not so.
They eventually entered the promised land. They conquered enemies and had a home. Reports and fear of them spread around the world. The greater news was there was a God in Israel that took care of His people and wasn't to be opposed. All this was miraculous.
The free wife bore a son. This was impossible. Romans 4:19 says, "Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb." Another miracle.
The birth of Isaac was the beginning of Israel. It's a great and miraculous start. This wasn't to be unique. Israel's growth and mature state was all to be of God. That's why He didn't want a king. He says in Isaiah 42:8, "I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images." It wasn't only to be a godly beginning and then the people took over. This was the mistake the Galatians made. "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being perfected in the flesh?" It was to be all God all the time.
This is difficult for some. The non scriptural saying "God helps those who help themselves" comes to mind. The Lord wants us to be dependent on Him. It's part of submitting to the lordship of Christ. It's a blend of getting God's help and obeying Him. Everyone wants His help, but not all want to obey Him.
What a wonderful concept. The Lord wants to walk with us, empower us, fight for us all the days of our lives. Is this difficult? In our own power it is. He will do it if we allow Him. There is a tendency for us to take over. He'll remind us. If we are stubborn, He'll allow our circumstance to unravel. We run back to Him. He doesn't allow us to get too far off the path. These are merciful reminders.
In time we learn to stay in His will. There is fulness of joy there (Psalm 16:11). We learn the emptiness of being in control. We hear much of going with the flow. As long as it's biblical that's how He leads.
Paul's first introduction to Jesus brought up the challenge of self will. Acts 26:14 says, "We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’" When we go against God it's like kicking against the goads (pricks). It's restful when we comply.
Lord, thank You for the amazing guidance and provision. The walk You have for us is blessed and prosperous. Thank You for the reminders when we stray.