Galatians 4 (reread)

Paul uses two different analogies to explain what it is like to be under the law versus in the grace of God.  These are the child heir and contrasting Ishmael with Isaac.

The child heir is likened to a slave.  He must obey all the rules and is disciplined.  Yet, in the future, he will inherit the kingdom.  However, right now, he is treated like a slave.  This perspective reminds me of the obedient son in the parable of the Prodigal Son.

I also find this an easier concept to grasp about the nature of the law.  Why did God do it in the first place?  Why not go straight to Christ at the time of Moses and skip the law?  I do not quite understand Paul's reasoning in the prior chapter, but this makes more sense.  The answer is because humanity was yet like a child.  It is not until Christ comes that ushers in an age of spiritual maturity.

The other analogy is to contrast Ishmael with Isaac.  This builds on what Paul discussed in chapter 3 in regard to Abraham.  So much of the Jewish identity was built on the patriarchs.  I think Paul makes a subtle point that by holding onto the law, the people are not acting like Isaac, but rather Ishmael.

It also builds on the prior discussion of a child heir.  By contrasting these two, the heir and the slave child born of a slave, he implicitly asks the reader - do you want to be a slave or an heir?

Crying out to the the father

At the beginning of the chapter, Paul mentions that it is the Spirit of the Son in our hearts that cries out "Abba!", meaning "Father".  This concept comes into full circle later in Galatians 5.

Re-enslavement

Paul discusses the freedom the Galatians have from being enslaved to the false gods.  The example that Paul uses to illustrate their enslavement is observance of "special days and months and seasons and years!". (verse 10).  What comes to my mind is the Sabbath or Jewish feast days.  But really, it could include any religious ritual.

This ritual aspect of religion is likened to slavery to being enslaved to those who are not gods.

This is all building the groundwork for chapter 5.