The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

215 The Personal Argument 4: 12-20 Paul's argument here differs from the preceding chapters in that it becomes very personal. His appeal is emotional and is based upon the past relationship between the apostle and the readers. The Illustration of the Two Women 4:21-3i This is Paul's concluding proof from scripture. By means of his "allegory" he illustrates and clarifies the decision which the readers must make by citing Abraham's decision. Paul's first point is made in a comparison with Abraham's two sons. Isaac was born by means of a promise as were the Galatians who were also "sons of Abraham" (3:7) because of the promise (3:8). Ishmael, however, was the son of a slave woman as were Paul's opponents. Paul then expands his metaphor by comparing the women to two covenants, the old covenant of the Law , founded on Mt. Sinai and corresponding to the earthly Jeru alem and the new -covenant founded by Messiah corresponding to the heavenly Jerusalem. The apostle very clearly casts the story here in terms he has used throughout the epistle: identit with Moses and his covenant versus identity with Messiah and his covenant. He then quote I aiah 54: 1 which concerns the promise of redemption for the nation of I rael from the captivity and exile. Isaiah' promi e speaks of the de perate ituation of e iled I ra 1 in t rm of a woman who ha been divorced (54 :4-8). In reality hi word in 54: 1 are an en ura - ment that though he will be e tranged from her hu band , omeda h ill r m mb r h r ith th po f th d m nic fore n uno a OTO I 1a 1 u 6 µou," D Il' Id n , " und r in ( . ... ) . I r l ' ntil hri ti n j in d I r 1 UTTO 1 1