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God made a covenant with Abraham. The Jews thought they had it, but they missed the bold print. They got so focused on mastering the fine print of Moses’ Law that they missed the original document altogether. What does Galatians 3:15 say about this agreement God gave Abraham?
This original contract appears in Genesis 12:7. What were the terms of the arrangement?
How does Galatians 3:16 shed more light on what this pact meant? What is meant by “the seed” or “offspring”?
Paul addresses the later document, in Galatians 3:17. What is this new certificate and what can it not do?
The Jews looked to Abraham as their hero. What they overlooked was that Abraham never kept the Law of Moses. He did not earn the promises of God by fine print; he had a headline relationship with God. In 3:18, what is the point of clarifying all this?
The Law brought a curse. Faith brings the promise.
The Law feeds the flesh. Grace empowers the Spirit.
The Law demands works. Truth invites action.
The Law reveals sinfulness. Love brings holiness.
The Law separates races. Faith unites humanity.
The Law fosters superiority. Grace teaches equality.
The Law favored males. Truth includes both genders.
The Law shapes exteriors. Love forms Christ within.
The Law creates bondage. Faith gives freedom.
The Law says, “Thou shalt…” Promise says, “I will…”
So, why the law? This question plagues modern students of the Bible. Why do we even need the book of Leviticus if it does not apply to our lives? The Law of Moses did not replace the Promise of Abraham. It did, however, preserve Abraham’s descendents until the Promise came.
What nation has kept a distinct identity as much as the Jews in history? Ancient Egypt lost its culture and identity until modern Egypt looks like something from another planet. Other countries that inhabited the lands around ancient Israel no longer exist. These Law-keepers, however, have retained their Jewish nationality and preserved the Word of God because of the fine print.
What purpose did the Law serve, according to 3:19?
It came because of sin, not because it is a means to holiness. It preserved a race from among whom the Lord would come. The scripture goes on to emphasize that it came from God, through angels, to Moses a mediator, to the people. This does not sound like a personal agreement, but an official edict.
Jesus Christ has not invited you into a class-action lawsuit. He has invited you into a private contract. Your salvation was written into the promised Seed arising from Abraham. Not from the law which came four centuries later.
Immigrants from oppressive countries may come to America and still hold their old-country fears. If they feared police in their old country, they will probably do so for a while here as well. With time, they will see they live under a new constitution. They will begin to enjoy their freedom.
Christians often adopt an awe and reverence for all things Jewish. They think of visits to the land of Israel as a spiritual pinnacle. They think perfection could be reached if only they could be as disciplined and reverent as the Law demands. Some take the Law and make more rules out of it. Jesus was not awestruck by rule-makers. He rebuked them. Let us not trade our New World of spiritual freedom for the old-country bondage God brought His people out of.
