Galatians 4:26
But the other woman, Sarah, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. She is the free woman, and she is our mother
Sarah is representative of the New Covenant, while Haggar was of the Law. The Law represented a half measure of the Lord mending the relationship between God and Israel. The people didn’t understand the great difficulty in repairing the problem. The Law was means to bring them closer, but also as a way to highlight that difficulty.
The Law served a couple of purposes. First, it shared how people were to behave towards the Lord and others. This was great. It’s still is adhered to today. Much of the law in many countries incorporates it’s principles.
The second purpose of the Law showed people how impossible it was to keep. They (we) need help. Thus the need for a messiah. The people’s attempt to keep the Law was represented by Haggar. Abraham knew a child would come from him and he and Sarah weren’t able to conceive. So, she gave him her maid, Haggar. It worked, but it wouldn’t be the child of the promise.
The Lord wanted to use Sarah and Abraham. They knew it was impossible, but this didn’t worry the Lord, it was His plan. God would restore their boddies to make it possible. So, the New Covenant would be brought about by the Lord. That which was impossible for them and us would be done by God.
The Lord knew this all along. He also knew it before creation, yet He did it anyway. What great love He had for us that He went through with it knowing His Son would have to die for us. He knew the day Adam and Eve awakened and would commit that first horrible sin.
Why did He go through with it? Deuteronomy 7:8 says, “but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” While this was directly to Israel, we are in mind as well.
God could have created a people programmed to obey and love Him. However, He wanted a people who would choose Him. Deuteronomy 30:19 has God pleading with His people to choose life, to chose Him. The Lord wants all of us to follow Him and be in a Father/son (daughter) relationship. However, He won’t force us to do so.
Those that choose Him are in a wonderful relationship with Him. Exodus 19:5 says, “Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations–for the whole earth is Mine.” The Law keeping part isn’t for us, but the treasured part is. Those that choose Him are His prized possession. I think of the verse from Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, “What a fellowship, what a joy divine, what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.”
Lord, thank Your for the great cost You paid to redeem us. Thank You for this wonderful relationship.