Daily Bible Reading “The Children of Promise” (Galatians 4:21-31)

Posted on March 2, 2025 by Deborah H. Bateman

The Children of Promise

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 4:21-31. As we continue in the book of Galatians with the letter that Paul wrote to the Galatians. Paul inquires of them asking, “Those of you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?”

Under the law, it is what you do, the rules you follow, that makes you right with God, but under grace it is what God did through His Son, Jesus Christ that makes us right with God. If you fail under the law, you are out of fellowship with God, but through grace and faith you can be forgiven.

Paul compares the law and faith to the difference between Abraham’s two sons. Paul says, “It is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by a bondmaid and the other by a freewoman. Abraham’s son Ishmael who was born of a bondwoman, was born of the flesh, but his son Isaac, who was born of the freewoman, was born by the promise.”

If you remember in Genesis Sarah was barren for many years so she gave her handmaiden Hagar to Abraham who bore him a son called Ishmael. Sarah was impatient and tried to fix the problem on her own, but in God’s time Sarah gave birth to Isaac, who was the son God promised her.

Paul talks about the two covenants and compares them. Paul says that Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, the same mount where Moses received the law, answers to Jerusalem which is now in bondage with her children. However, Jerusalem above, which is Sarah is free, and is the mother above us all. Paul is speaking of the New Jerusalem.

Paul says, “It is written, rejoice those of you who are barren, cry out those of you that are not giving birth, the desolate have many more children than she which has a husband.” Paul was saying that there would be more people born of the flesh than Christians, who are born of the promise.

Paul says that, we are like Sarah’s son Isaac, the children of promise. Like Isaac those who are born of the promise will be persecuted by those who are born of the flesh. Paul reminds them that the Scripture says to cast out the bondwoman (Hagar) and her son (Ishmael). The son of the bondwoman won’t be an heir with the son of the freewoman (Sarah). Likewise, we aren’t sons of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Do you get the picture of how Paul is comparing Isaac and Ishmael to the law and faith? As Christians we aren’t under the bondage of the law, but we are free through faith in Jesus Christ. Look at this Scripture in Romans 4:13-16

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 4:21-31

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Things to think about:

Why would anyone prefer to live under the law or by grace? Do you have a preference?
Why do we try to put ourselves back under the law when Jesus died to set us free from the law?
What does it mean to be children of the promise?
What does it mean to you to live free from bondage?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul explains to the Galatians about the difference of living in bondage and being free. Help us to accept the free gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus. Help us to keep ourselves out of bondage, and live in grace and faith. Thank You for loving us and giving us this special gift of freedom. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. – Galatians 4:28

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– This is an excerpt from my book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

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Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians is in the New Testament and is one of Paul’s letters. He wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia.

Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he taught them earlier. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure they understand the difference between living under the law and living under the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia contains sixteen Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is great to use for both personal Bible study and group Bible studies.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Why Live in Bondage” (Galatians 4:1-11)

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Deborah H. Bateman

Why Live in Bondage

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 4:1-11. Paul talks to the churches of Galatia about being heirs of God. What does it mean to be heirs of God? Is being an heir the same as being a child or a servant?

In Greek, Hebrew, and Roman homes, minor children weren’t considered an heir until they became a certain age or until the father decided that they were ready. When the heir was a child, he was no different than a servant, even though he was destined to be an heir. He was still under tutors and authorities until the father’s appointed time when he would adopt him as an heir.

Paul was a Roman and their custom was for the father to decide when the child was mature enough to become an heir. First Corinthians 13:11 says, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” Paul now compares the child’s bondage to the Christians bondage under the law.

My favorite verses in this Scripture are Galatians 4:4-5. Paul tells them, in the fullness of time, God sent His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem those that are under the law, that we might be adopted as sons. When you become a child of God, God sends the Spirit of His Son, Jesus, into your heart. You are no more a servant, but a child of God and an heir of God through Jesus Christ.

In Romans 8:14-17 the same idea of being freed from bondage and becoming an heir with Christ through the Spirit of adoption is stated:

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Paul asks the Galatians, how was it that when they didn’t know God they served those who weren’t gods. Paul couldn’t understand, after they knew God and His freedom from all the rules and regulations of the Old Testament law, how they could turn back to the bondage of being under the law. Paul asks them, if they desired to be in bondage. He notes how they observe certain days, months, times, and years. Paul says he is afraid he has taught the Galatians to labor in vain.

Christ came to free us from the bondage of the law. These Christians were trying to put themselves back under the law. Paul is asking them, why they would want to be under the law, when Christ died to free them from that bondage.

Do we do that today, instead of living in the mercy and grace of God; do we put ourselves in bondage because of something we’ve done that was against the Law of Moses? If you are in Christ, you’ve been set free from bondage. Live in the freedom of grace and mercy that Jesus Christ died to give you.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 4:1-11

1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Things to think about:

Why do we put ourselves in bondage when we can be free?

What does the bondage of sin do to us?

Since Jesus died to free us from bondage, what do we need to do to accept that freedom?

Have you been adopted into the family of God? If not, what are you waiting for? If yes, share the experience.

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul tells the Galatians that they no longer have to live under the bondage of the law, but as heirs of Christ they can live in grace and mercy. Help us to accept the grace and mercy that You provided for us when You sent Your Son, Jesus, to give His life on the cross for our freedom. Help us not to put ourselves in bondage under the law but to live as children of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of …

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a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

– Galatians 4:4-5

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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