Two Conceptions; Two Ways to Live

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. But the one by the slave was born according to the impulse of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.... Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. (Galatians 4:22-23, 28)

In the book of Galatians, Paul uses the historical narrative of Abraham, Hagar, Sarah, and their children as an illustration of God’s grace. God had promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have children, but as Sarah’s discouragement grew with her age, she encouraged Abraham to sleep with Hagar. Instead of relying on the promise of God, Abraham took matters into his own hands. His relationship with Hagar is a picture of self-reliance and self-dependence. Hagar conceived and bore a son, Ishmael, a son by the slave woman. Abraham and Hagar conceived not by trusting God, but by trusting themselves.

Still God fulfilled His promise—He always does—to Abraham and his wife. Sarah conceived and gave birth to a son, Isaac, a son by the free woman. Abraham and Sarah conceived because of God’s promise, not because of anything they had done.

Those who trust their own efforts are like Ishmael, children in slavery. They attempt to better themselves and find fulfillment in themselves. But as they do, they find themselves continually empty and enslaved. Read more