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24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” 28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. (Galatians 4:24-31)
In today text, Paul is contrasting the way of the flesh and the way of the Spirit. Hagar, Sarah's servant, represents a person who depends on his own resources or the flesh. Ishmael was born according to the flesh producing an enslaved life to the flesh (the evil desires within).
Hagar gave birth to a son who would not be the heir of the promise of God. In like manner, when Israel tried to keep the law on their own, they would inherit destruction, for this is what the flesh does in the life of the one who is trying to measure up for God's acceptance.
In v.25, the Apostle is illustrating what happens when Israel follows the wrong teaching, they will be like Ishmael, a slave, not an heir.
In v.26 Paul points us to the other half of the illustration, Isaac. He represents Jerusalem which pictures a personal relationship with God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. The result is the type of life is security and a subsequent freedom that enriches our lives while on this earth. As a result, we are secure and on the path toward spiritual maturity. Reliance on God is the basis of this security and maturity.
In v.29 another contrast between "one born according to the flesh" and "one born by the power of the Spirit" is highlighted. The "children of promise" in v.28 refers to people who have experienced the supernatural work of the Spirit of God in their heart. And, freedom is born.
Freedom is the ability to operate according to God's definition for our lives. Many are not free because they do not rest in God's promises; they rely on their own abilities. When it comes to saving faith, they do not have the freedom of desire. They do not want it. Therefore, they lack the freedom of a life that is influenced by the view of eternity. He who lives in his own strength rather than trusting God will suffer the influence of the flesh.
The essence of Christianity is the miracle of new birth, which transforms our heart and grants us a transcendent perspective upon this life. The result is we desire to rest in God's sovereign grace. We desire to become as little children and receive all the Father has deemed for us.
