Paul begins with a story about being a child (vv 1-7). Regardless of how rich your family may be, regardless of what you will inherit- you still have to follow rules. "Because I'm the dad!" is what I used to tell Morgan and Lauren...same thing here. When we "were just children" (Jewish ancestry) then we had rules to follow, but God has made the decision that we are old enough to inherit the kingdom! Interesting side note (?): in both Greek and Jewish customs, there was a definite age when children turned into adults; there was a big ceremony and the village celebrated. In Roman culture, the dad made the decision when the child was old enough (no set age). There was an annual ceremony, but all celebrated on the same day; during the celebration the boys would offer their ball and the girls would offer a doll to Apollo- signifying they were now adults and had no need for toys! Since Paul used the phrase (v 2b), "but when the children reach the age set by their fathers..." he was looking through Roman eyes, not Jewish. God decided when we were old enough to become "adults" (v 4) and gave us Jesus (our inheritance); Paul reminds us that Jesus was born human- so under the laws too!Not only were we removed from slavery to the Laws, but also then adopted as children of God (v 5). How does that make you feel? When I read those words I get a nice feeling inside! If we are children of God, then we have an intimate enough relationship with God to call God "Abba" ("Daddy") [or "Immah" ("Mommy")- my addition!] And we don't whisper it, we can cry it out if we need to (v 6)! Does it feel OK to have a mom/dad relationship with God or should there be something more formal?
Paul reminds the Jews (and the Gentiles), when you didn't know God- it was OK to live by the gods- but just remember- they aren't real! Only God is real! And if you know God, then why do you need to go back to following the Laws that you used to follow (v 9)?! I can almost hear Paul saying, "Really!? After all the work I put in for you, you are still not getting it" The "false teachers" kept insisting on following Laws and the special festivals (v 10), but Paul insists it isn't necessary. Wouldn't it have been difficult to give all that up? Can you somewhat understand their feelings- both Gentile and Jew? How hard is it for us to sometimes give up our traditions (think especially of this fall/winter)?
Paul makes a bold statement in verse 12, "Be like me." What he says is, be like me and live the life that I am living, a life dedicated to God, a life of study and witnessing, a life of following Jesus. Paul is the model that he wants people to follow. Do we have those models for us in our life?
We really don't know what physical issue Paul is talking about in v 13. But he comments that even though I wasn't feeling well, I wasn't string and healthy...you still listened to me and you still liked what I had to say. Do we sometimes judge the message people give us based on their appearance? He continues (v 16) and basically says, now I'm healthy and ma back here- why do you not listen?!
Paul ends this section likening himself to a woman that gave birth( vv 19-20); after all, he did start the church in Galatia and I'm sure it was difficult work, and Paul just wants the best for his children, as we all do!
The "false teachers" kept reminding the Galatians that they were Abraham's children; Paul reminds them of Abraham's two sons: one (Ishmael) from Hagar born the "regular" way; the second (Isaac) born from Sarah on a promise from God. Ishmael, even though Abraham's son, is still "slave" as were the people that wanted to return to the Laws; Hagar was likened to Mount Sinai where Moses received the laws from God. Then there is Isaac: born from promise, the new covenant, the symbol of freedom from the laws. Which son do we associate with" law or promise? As Christians, we identify with Isaac- a child of promise, not Ishmael- a child of law. In fact, Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away (v 30), solidifying that only Isaac (symbol of promise) would inherit everything God promised Abraham. Confusing, but the progression makes sense- read it again if you have to!
Remember, today is Friday. We take the weekend off, so I will post Chapter 5 commentary on Monday. Stay warm this weekend- this is how winters used to be!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
Ok so this is my interpretation. In the OT there are lots and lots of laws. Maybe God saw how this was for the people and He thought that we needed a better way for some- I totally respect those who only believe the OT. He sent Jesus to explain to us that there is another way. Jesus taught us that 'loving one another as God loves us is' that way. We still need to respect and adhere somewhat to the old ways but with compassion and justice. Following this Christ Jesus makes us Christians. Paul was trying to teach the people of his time about making this paradigm change. It's very hard to change for most of us and very hard for Paul to keep trying to get his point across. Think how hard it must have been for the people of that time, who believed Jesus came and was resurrected to save them, to explain that to the strict believers of other ways. We still have that situation today. Look how our country still struggles with issues like abortion and gay rights. Do we have to agree with or even understand the other person to love them? I think Jesus wants us to. I believe that we all equal in God's sight. I think we need to strive to identify with Isaac. It's a journey that takes a lot of thought and learning.
ReplyDeleteI am certainly not a Biblical scholar in any way as you can tell by my comments. Thank you all for this opportunity to learn from all of you.
Cathy Sorber
You have it exactly correct Cathy. As Christians- we are "exempted" from all the Levitcal/ Mosaic laws...faith and love in God/Jesus/ HS suffices and because of that we have a desire to do good. It must have been very tough for the Jews to gov up the Laws and change their way of theology! I know how we get with things!
DeleteI like your comment- do we have to agree? I say no- but live is something that needs to happen-- for all!
Great thoughts Cathy! Glad you're part of the group!
The laws were there before Jesus was born and still continued after he was born Today we all have laws and rules, as we did as children growing up in a family, we had to obey our parents as God expected the people to follow the laws in biblical times.. However no one except Jesus could follow without doing wrong ,the people failed That's why Jesus was born He was born human but was the only human without sin and never sinned. Paul wanted the Galatians to be like him in their belief and not just follow the law but to follow and have faith in Jesus. When we are children most of us want to be like our parents as we respect and love them I think this was something that Paul was trying to teach the Gentiles, (To be like Jesus)
ReplyDeleteCathy, I don't think any of us that are offering comments are in any way Biblical scholars. So probably what i say is by far form correct, I just hope I have a inkling of understanding of what is written.
You sound like you know what you’re talking about to me 😉
DeleteGood points Clara! Yes...the Laws will be around forever- and our Jewish brothers and sisters still follow them. And laws will be around forever...we need some organization and control!
DeleteGood points and we all seem to be getting the point Paul is making to the Galatians!
First I would like to say that I have LOVED reading everyone’s comments! Both now and in our Bible Study of Luke! I have learned so much from them and at times brings out a different point of view I had not thought of! I feel Paul cannot believe that the Galatians seemed so eager to go back to the “old’ ways - obeying the laws, celebrating the dates and seasons. He could not believe it. They were all so happy to know him and to hear about Jesus and so eager to be Christians. But it is human nature I think. It is so much easier to go back to our old ways then it is to try and change - especially when that change brings about confrontation from others. Easier to rationalize out actions. I love the point that Paul brings out - that God sent us Jesus when He thought we had matured enough spiritually. I wonder if we need to go through that cycle again? Paul is absolutely tireless in he’s efforts to get Galatians to think and act as he does. Not that Paul thinks he is better then they are - as he says in vs. 12 - be as I am for I am like you. Paul wants them to be saved, to be happy, to be free, to benefit from God’s promise! He truly is like a “parent” to his “children”. I do like thinking of God as a parent. Because I know, as a parent, how I feel about my children - love them all the time! And I want God to think the same of me! Actually, I do love some of the things that are celebrated in the OT and some of them I wish we still did - although I understand why we don’t. I think the celebrations of the OT makes us delve into the history - something we all should do from time to time. And I like ceremony - but then, I also like contemporary - I think we can learn from both - and enjoy both. I understand the point Paul was making between Isaac and Ishmael BUT if Ishmael believes in Jesus, has faith in God, his faith makes him a son of God and inherits the promise made to Abraham. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteI think your first point is spot on Donna. Paul is surprised that the Galatians want to go back so quickly! Right- they were so excited about Jesus and then they want to go back quickly. But some people in church are like that. They are so excited and full of energy, then they run out of steam and we never see them again!
DeleteIt is right to think of God as a parent= full of love and care for kids.
And good point- the Hebrews scriptures are so full of history and celebrations that are quite interesting. Christianity is only 2000 years old! We will have them some day!
Ishmael is one of the great prophets of Islam- I don't think he would have faith in Jesus!
Good discussion Donna!
Oh my Cathy if we are supposed to be scholars I am in trouble. I do also think some have a much better understanding than I do but again I really get a lot out of reading the comments. I for one love tradition and I find change challenging sometimes but I also really enjoy contemporary and also believe we learn from both. The question do we judge the message based on the appearance of the messenger? If we are being truthful I believe we all do. I also find some comfort in our relationship ship with god being similar to a parent child.
ReplyDeleteGod bless and stay warm.
Tradition and contemporary can blend nicely! Tradition is important and we miss out if we don't have that!
DeleteWe do judge the message by the appearance of the messenger! Our appearance is also controlled/dictated by the audience we are presenting to!
Good ideas Cindy! Thanks!
In this chapter, I can see Paul's anger and frustration with the Galatians. It also appears that he is following the Roman culture when he states the the father (which I took to mean as the child's biological father and not the Father) decided when a child was "of age").
ReplyDelete(I am having difficulty reading the verses at this time. Everything has turned into a blur. I can see the keyboard and I am okay typing. I am due for an eye exam. I pray that this isn't macular degeneration.)
This is a heck of a time for this question - after 5 chapters of Paul's letter to the Galatians: Were the Galatians Jews, Gentiles or a mixture of the two? Is he teaching the Jews or the Gentiles (or both) to live by faith in Jesus and not by strict adherence to the Law? It appears to me that he is.
Was Abraham guilty of adultery? In this chapter, he had two sons. One was the "regular way" and the other as a result of a promise (verse 23 in my translation. What does this mean? I had to chuckle when I read this since I know what a "promise" is in today's slang. I'm sure it didn't mean that in Abraham's time. I am also amazed by the age of people then. It only makes sense to me if a "year" corresponded to 1 orbit of the moon around the earth. That would make about 12 of
Abraham's years equal to one of our years. It still doesn't explain to me how people lived 600 to 700 "years". I can't remember any names (I have CRS issues along with my many other ailments), but I learned in high school when we were studying the ancient Greeks that their life expectancy was around 30-35 years. I may be way off here, but the thought of some of the earlier Biblical people living 600 or 700 years is outrageous to me.
Paul is writing in a Roman context- he was Roman citizen and much of Galatia was under Roman control. The Galatians Paul is writing to were primarily Jews that were following Jesus (so early Christians); there were some Gentiles, but his letter is primarily to the Jewish population- therefore their desire to go back to the Laws.
DeleteAbraham's wife, Sarah, was barren and could not have children. The Laws allowed Married men to have a child with their servant so their would be an heir to the property; Sarah "allowed" Hagar (her maidservant) to have a child with Abraham- that is Ishmael. Then God said, oh Sarah, by the way, you will become pregnant. Sarah laughed- and bam- she was pregnant with Isaac (Genesis 16, 17, 21 for extra reading!)
Lots of the stories of ages in the Hebrew scriptures seem inflated...with the point being "they were really old when they died" as we wanted the great ones to be around a while!
Good questions Jack- thanks!
Gods plan for us before Jesus was to obay the laws, have faith. Jesus died for us to show us the way, only through him shell we be saved. We have to remember no matter what the race,or male, female,rich, poor we are all Gods children. We just have to obay his laws and have faith. These studies sound so easy, but so hard, sometimes I just can't wrap my mind around them. But would like to thank all of you for helping me understand more.
ReplyDeleteGood commentary Rose Marie! Thanks for your thoughts!
ReplyDelete