A Study of the Scriptures: All the Stories in the Bible.

Jason0047 · Nov 7, 2014

The Lord declares that He was responsible for bringing Abram out of his homeland. It was not Abram's doing. His ability to leave was only possible because of God.

Abram is asking for a sign or something to happen to let him know how he might inherit this Promised Land.

There are 3 animals and 2 birds. Each of the 3 animals are 3 years in age that Abram is to sacrifice. It's possible that the number 3 here is in reference to the 3 days and 3 nights Jesus was in the Tomb. The heifer (cow) could represent how Jesus's yoke or burden is light. The she-goat could be like the goat that appears later in one of our future stories where a priest transfers all of the Israelite's sins upon the head of a goat (Which is a like comparison of Jesus taking on our sins within his body). The ram could symbolize the upcoming ram that God gave to Abraham as a means to complete the sacrifice (As a part of His final test). It could picture that God will provide the sacrifice for us (Meaning, God the Father will send His Son so as to die for our sins).

Jason0047 · Nov 11, 2014

Jason0047 said:

Take me... a turtledove, and a young pigeon."

I believe one posssible symbolic interpretation of the turtledove (dove), is that it represents the Holy Spirit which comes to every true believer in Jesus Christ. For the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the shape of a dove which was then followed by His ministry and His plan of salvation for mankind. Noah sent a dove out of the Ark after the rain had stopped. On one of the dove's journeys, the dove came back with an olive tree branch, which symbolizes life. For the branch was the first signs of new life after the old world had been destroyed. Meaning, that Noah and his family were about to begin a new life in a new world. In other words, the Spirit can bring new life by spiritually regenerating a person which is made possible by one repenting of their sins and in accepting Jesus Christ as one's Savior (John 3:16) (1 John 1:9) (1 John 1:5-7) (Titus 3:5).

As for the pigeon: I believe one possible symbolic interpretation is that the pigeon represents the believer radiating the Spirit by the Spirit's sanctification process (Which is made possible by our mediator Jesus Christ who is symbolically represented in the 3 animals that Abram takes as a sacrifice). For the Spirit helps the believer to conform more and more to the image and likeness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Here in Genesis 15 within the Old Testament we see only 1 dove and 1 pigeon being offered; However, in the New Testament, when Joseph and Mary came to present Jesus to God the Father within the Temple in Jerusalem, they offered 2 doves and 2 pigeons (Luke 2:22-24).

Why is there double the amount of doves and pigeons than Abram's offering?

I believe it represents the blessings a New Covenant believer receives in Jesus Christ. For by Christ, a believer will receive a double portion of the Holy Spirit along with more gifts of the Spirit. Whereas in the Old Testament, a saint did not generally have a double portion of the Holy Spirit, with the exception of Elisha (Because he asked for it from Elijah - See: 2 Kings 2:9). For Jesus essentially said, you will do greater works than me (John 14:12). (Important Note: Please take note that while I believe the Old Testament saint had the Holy Spirit (See Psalm 51:11, 1 Samuel 16:14, Daniel 6:3, Ezekiel 36:27, 1 Corinthians 10:1-4), I believe the disciples did not have the Holy Spirit during Christ's ministry until He breathed the Holy Spirit upon them (John 20:22). I believe those disciples (who proved to be true to Jesus) were regenerated spiritually by the Spirit (John 1:12-13), but Christ lived within them before another Comforter came (John 17:10) (John 14:16) (1 John 5:12)).

In addition, it is also important to point out that the firstborn was to receive a double portion of the inheritance from their father. Esau sold his birthright in being the firstborn to Jacob for some pottage (Genesis 25:29-34). Which means Jacob now had a legal right to receive the Blessing from his father Isaac (The same Blessing that came from God and was given to Abraham). Receiving this Blessing not only included one in being a part of Abraham's lineage whereby their descendants would be as innumerable as the stars, but it would also include them (select patriarchs) in inheriting the Promised Land.

This is important to understand because Jesus is the firstborn of the church (Hebrews 12:23). In fact, Christ is the firstborn of all of creation (Colossians 1:15). Meaning Christ is the firstfruits of the resurrection whereby everyone in Christ (From the Old Testament to the New Testament) will one day be resurrected bodily in Him (i.e. Christ will be firstborn of a whole new creation).

This all ties into the Land Promised to Abram with God making a Covenant with Abram in Genesis 15. For by Christ's resurrection (Who is the Promised Seed), Abram will one day inherit the Promised Land in the Millennium. For I believe Abram will be one of those who will sit upon the thrones in the Millennium in Revelation 20:4 along with the Tribulation saints. Abram will one day receive the blessings in Christ Jesus in the Millennium. Abram will have a double portion of the Spirit (Like a believer in Christ Jesus today) (i.e. the Spirit being symbolized by the dove) and Abram will receive the inheritance of the Land from His Father, who is God.

The dove also symbolizes love and peace, too. God loved Abram and wanted to give him many blessings for Abram's love and faithfulness in Him. For one day Abram will live and reign with Christ in His kingdom of peace for 1000 years.

Jason0047 · Nov 11, 2014

Jason0047 said:

Love birds.

Jason0047 · Nov 11, 2014

Jason0047 said:

Edit Correction:

It was an "olive leaf" that was plucked and not an olive tree branch. (Genesis 8:10).

Jason0047 · Nov 11, 2014

Jason0047 said:

In Genesis 15:10, the NIV says,

"Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half."

In other words, Abram had cut the 3 animals in two halves, which I believe is symbolic of the breaking of Christ's body.

1 Corinthians 11:24
"And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me."

However, the 2 birds (the dove and the pigeon), Abram did not cut in halves. I believe this is because they represent the Spirit (the dove being the Spirit regenerating a person spiritually (in being born again) and the pigeon being a believer radiating the Holy Spirit in the sanctification process). For it was Christ the Son of God who died on the cross for us and whose body was broken so as to pour out the Holy Spirit upon his followers.

"the fowls came"

These are the bad birds that are mentioned in Scripture (Which is antithetical of the dove, and the pigeon (i.e. Symbolism of God, the Holy Spirit)).

"And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up" (Matthew 13:4). Jesus defined these fowl as being represented of the Wicked One who takes the seed of the Word of God out somebody's heart so that they cannot understand nor believe the good news (i.e. the gospel) of God's Word (Matthew 13:19). In other words, these fowl are demonic spirits. In fact, one bird that is identifiable by name has been mentioned in Isaiah symbolically as evil spirits are owls.

"And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls." (Isaiah 34:13) (c.f. cross reference with Isaiah 34:11, 14, 15). The owl was an unclean bird (See Leviticus 11:16, 24). For owls are associated with dancing satyrs, "But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there." (Isaiah 13:21).

Granted, the word "owl" or "owls" in the Bible does not always equate within evil spirits, but Scripture does appear to symbolically mention them a few times as demons, though. Has anyone here seen the movie trailer for the film called the "Fourth Kind"? Well, I don't really recommend in watching the trailer because of the dark spirit behind it. I seen it when at the theaters to see another movie. In that film trailer, we see the type of owl that has the black almond shaped eyes. They used this animal as some kind of connection to the grey aliens with the black almond eyes that have been reported by many people who have been involved in alien abductions, encounters, etc. In other words, these owls, and or aliens are demons. Again, I caution in not watching the trailer because I believe it is a form of evil communication (That we as Christians should avoid). But if you feel compelled to watch it (despite my warning), pray for the protection of God's Spirit (please).

"the fowls came down upon the carcases"

1 Corinthians 2:8
"Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

The fowls and princes are demons. For had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. For it was Satan operating behind the scenes leading the Jews and the Romans to crucify our Lord. The fowls upon the carcases (i.e. the 3 animal carcases) could possibly represent how the devil arranged to have our Lord killed.

However, the good news is that God is always one step ahead of everyone, and it was his plan to die on the cross for man's sins so as to save him all along. God did this because He loves us so very much.

"Abram drove them away."

A true believer does not abide with the ways of evil spirits (i.e. those ways being sin). A true believer walks in the righteousness of Christ and overcomes the wickedness in their life by abiding in Jesus Christ. For...

"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8).

In other words, one possible symbolic interpretation here is that Abram was symbolically driving away the evil spirits in his walk of faith in trusting in God by driving away the fowl from the carcases.

Jason0047 · Nov 11, 2014

Jason0047 said:

For Abram could have easily given into his fear that the king of Sodom was going to retaliate against him for Abram's victory. But God said, "Fear not Abram; I am your shield."

God had said a few other things to Abram in addition to His promise to protect Abram, and Abram believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness.

Jason0047 · Nov 11, 2014

Jason0047 said:

When Abram sleeps, a great horror of darkness fell upon him. This horror of darkness is a future prophetic dream whereby God tells Abram about how his descendants will become slaves to a nation (Egypt) for 400 years. For no doubt Abram was afraid for his future descendants. However, God also said to Abram (within his dream) that he was going to judge that nation (Egypt) and that his seed would come out of that land with great substance. This event of his people taking great substance out of Egypt was fulfilled in Exodus 12:35.

Jason0047 · Nov 12, 2014

Jason0047 said:

The Israelites were in slaves in Egypt for 400 years (Genesis 15:13) (Acts 7:6-7). Many Christians today believe the Israelites were slaves in Egypt for 215 years or some other strange amount of time. This all based off some erroneous interpretation of Galatians 3:17. They believe the 430 years is from "God's Promise to Abraham" to the "Giving of the Law." But the text doesn't say that, though. Galatians 3:17 just essentially says the law cannot disannul or make the "Promise" of none effect. What they fail to take under consideration is the context of the verse before it. For Galatians 3:16 says, "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. ... ." Meaning the Promise was not just given to Abraham, but the Promise was also give to Isaac, and Jacob, too. In fact, we learn in Genesis 46:2-4 that God confirms the Promise to Jacob (Israel) another time towards the end of his life. So it is from this point (i.e. the last Promise made to the patriarchs (Abraham and his seed - with Jacob)) to the giving of the Law that is 430 years. This is confirmed in Exodus 12:40 that says the Israelites sojourned in the land for 430 years. 30 years transpired from the time Jacob entered the land of Egypt with his people to the time of the new Pharaoh came (Who did not know Joseph). This new pharaoh began the affliction of God's people that continued with a line of bad or corrupt Pharaohs which lasted for 400 years.

For Genesis 15:13 basically states they (i.e. those of this strange land) will afflict his seed for 400 years. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) were not afflicted in a strange land like the Israelites were afflicted in Egypt. Abraham is said to have died peacefully (Genesis 15:15). Also, Israel being slaves in Egypt for 400 years is confirmed by Biblical archeology, too.

Check out this article here:

The Duration of the Israelite Sojourn In Egypt

Jason0047 · Nov 12, 2014

Jason0047 said:

The Israelites were in slaves in Egypt for 400 years (Genesis 15:13) (Acts 7:6-7). Many Christians today believe the Israelites were slaves in Egypt for 215 years or some other strange amount of time. This all based off some erroneous interpretation of Galatians 3:17. They believe the 430 years is from "God's Promise to Abraham" to the "Giving of the Law." But the text doesn't say that, though. Galatians 3:17 just essentially says the law cannot disannul or make the "Promise" of none effect. What they fail to take under consideration is the context of the verse before it. For Galatians 3:16 says, "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. ... ." Meaning the Promise was not just given to Abraham, but the Promise was also give to Isaac, and Jacob, too. In fact, we learn in Genesis 46:2-4 that God confirms the Promise to Jacob (Israel) another time towards the end of his life. So it is from this point (i.e. the last Promise made to the patriarchs (Abraham and his seed - with Jacob)) to the giving of the Law that is 430 years. This is confirmed in Exodus 12:40 that says the Israelites sojourned in the land for 430 years. 30 years transpired from the time Jacob entered the land of Egypt with his people to the time of the new Pharaoh came (Who did not know Joseph). This new pharaoh began the affliction of God's people that continued with a line of bad or corrupt Pharaohs which lasted for 400 years.

For Genesis 15:13 basically states they (i.e. those of this strange land) will afflict his seed for 400 years. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) were not afflicted in a strange land like the Israelites were afflicted in Egypt. Abraham is said to have died peacefully (Genesis 15:15). Also, Israel being slaves in Egypt for 400 years is confirmed by Biblical archeology, too.

Check out this article here:

The Duration of the Israelite Sojourn In Egypt

Edit Correction:

In my first sentence, there is a typo.
I mistakenly typed the word "in" before the word "slaves."

It should say:

The Israelites were slaves in Egypt for 400 years.

There is another type, as well. In approx. the 8th sentence down, I write...

"...the Promise was also give to Isaac, and Jacob, too."

The word "give" should be the word "given" in that sentence; Which should appear like this...

"...the Promise was also given to Isaac, and Jacob, too."

Sorry about that folks.

Anyways, peace be unto you all.
And may God bless you today.

Jason0047 · Nov 12, 2014

Jason0047 said:

"And thou shalt go the thy fathers in peace."

Abram who is the father of a nation wiil go to be with his fathers. The word "fathers" - is in reference to his predecessors (or family that lived before him) who are a people of the kingdom of God. Abram will go to them in peace; Meaning he will die peacefully. In other words, Abram will not be afflicted like his future descendants that will be enslaved to Egypt for 400 years and then die under harsh slavery. Nor will Abram die in some kind of battle or war. Nor will Abram die by some kind of painful debilitating disease that will slowly takes his life. For he will go to his fathers in peace.

"In the fourth generation"

The English word "generation" here is tranlsated from the Hebrew word "dowr." This word is defined in reference to an age, period, or cycle of time. Which is to be contrasted with the Hebrew word "towledah", (i.e. English word: "generations") which is in reference to genealogies in a biological sense.

In other words, the word "generation" (Hebrew: "dowr") is not in reference to genealogies in a biological sense; However, those who erroneously hold to the false idea that the Israelites were enslaved to Egypt for 215 years (or some other short amount of time), believe this to be the case, though (Which again doesn't make any sense or add up to the facts that we see in the Bible).

"In the fourth generation, they shall come hither again"

From the point Abram receives this message from God, it will be the fourth generation (or 4 cycles of time) until his people will come back to this land he is currently in (i.e. the Promised Land that Abram will one day inherit in far in the future thru Jesus Christ). However, first, Joshua, Caleb, and the children of the parents who were led out of Egypt (by God and Moses) enter the Promised Land.

"for the inquity of the Amorites is not ye full."

God waits until a person's sins or nations's sins (i.e. people corporately) are full until God brings judgement. Why? Becaue of grace. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:!9). For God is love and He is long suffering towards everyone.

The Amorites have been alluded to being known to being associated with the Nephilim (or Giants). For Amos 2:9 says the Amorites are likened to the heights of cedars. This could either mean, that a good majority of the Amorites were Nephilim or it could mean that the Amorites were ruled by the Nephilim (i.e. demon slash human hybrids).

These Amorites were defeated by Joshua in the Promised Land in Joshua chapter 10. For Judgment had come to them by the hand of Joshua. So their sins had reached it's full to this point.

Jason0047 · Nov 12, 2014

Jason0047 said:

Edit Correction:

Joshua, and company not only just enter the Promised Land (Like Abram had done), but they are the first of Abram's seed to inherit the Promised Land (Joshua 14:9-14).

Edit Correction:

2 Peter 3:9.

...

Jason0047 · Nov 12, 2014

Jason0047 said:

"Behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces."

I believe the "smoking furnace" is prophetic of the pillar of cloud (by day) and the pillar of fire (by night) (Exodus 13:21). This pillar followed behind the Israelites so as to protect them as they crossed the parted red sea (Exodus 14:19, 20, 24). I believe the "burning lamp" is prophetic of the Angel of God in Exodus 14:19. Now, before you object, I want to make clear that this was not a created angel (as we would think of that word). In fact, it was no angel at all. The word "angel" here in the Hebrew is defined as "messenger." For in the 1600's, the word "angel", could refer to a "messenger" and not just only to created divine beings with wings, etc. This was the "Messenger of God" who went behind the Israelites before they crossed the red sea (Exodus 14:19). Again, this "Messenger" was not a created being. I believe this "Messenger" (Not a created angel) is a pre-incarnate apperance of Jesus Christ.

Christ is eternal and uncreated. Christ is God Almighty. Christ is the Word, who is the second person of the Godhead or the Trinity (i.e. the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost (1 John 5:7 KJV)). In other words, I believe Christ (Who is God Almighty and Eternal) who went by the title of the "Angel of God" and also by the title "Angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament was the "burning lamp" that went between the split animal carcases as a part of the Covenant made with Abram. The word "angel" is misleading to us because we do not refer to "angels" as "messengers" today. However, back in the 1600's, this was a part of their lingo. Just look up the eytmology of the word "angel" and it is defined as a "messenger." Anyways, what Biblical proof is there that this "Messenger of God" is Jesus in Exodus 14:19? Well, 1 Corinthians 10:1 mentions the fathers (the Israelites) who passed thru the red sea; And in 1 Corinthians 10:4 says that the Rock that followed them was Christ.

To learn more about Christ's Pre-Incarnate Apperances in the Old Testament, check out this thread here:

http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/98395-jesus-messenger-lord-old-testament.html

As for God going between the split animal carcases: Well, I believe God not only made a Covenant with Abram concerning the Promse, but I believe God also moved between the two sides of split animals carcases was also prophetic of the Lord guiding and protecting (from behind) Moses and Israelites in the crossing of the Red Sea, too. For the two sides of the animals carcases are like the two walls of water in the crossing of the Red Sea (With God moving inbetween both of those things (i.e. the Red sea and the animal carcases)).

A "covenant" is to cut an agreement between two parties. However, in this case, it was God who made the Covenant with Abram when he was asleep. Abram was not a party or a witness to this agreement. God made the Covenant when Abram could not see the Covenant being made. Abram had to take it by faith that the agreement had been cut between Him and the Lord. Abram had to trust God's Word.

After God makes a Covenant with Abram concerning the Promise: The Lord re-confirms the Promise to him by saying that his seed will receive this land (one day) that is now currently under enemy control.

...

Jason0047 · Nov 12, 2014

Story #10 - Hagar and Ishmael's Story

~ A Blessing for Hagar and Ishmael ~

~ Part 1: ~
(The Birth of Ishmael)

Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

And Sarai said unto Abram,
"Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her."

And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

And Sarai said unto Abram,
"My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee."

But Abram said unto Sarai,
"Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee."

And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

And he said,
"Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go?

And she said,
"I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai."

And the angel of the LORD said unto her,
"Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands."

And the angel of the LORD said unto her,
"I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude."

And the angel of the LORD said unto her,
"Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren."

And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her,
"Thou God seest me:"

for she said,
"Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?"

Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare,
"Ishmael."

And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

(Genesis 16:1-15).

...

Jason0047 · Nov 13, 2014

Jason0047 said:

Sarai and Abram no doubt tried to have a child, but Sarai did not become pregnant in the timing she desired and so she devised a plan to help God out by involving her handmaid Hagar.

Hagar (Who was Egyptian) was most likely acquired as a handmaid from the Pharaoh in Genesis 12:16 (When Abram was treated well by the Pharaoh for Sarai's sake). The name "Hagar" (Hebrew: הגר) means to "flee."

Sound familar? Well, just as Sarai had enticed Abram with an offer that sounded good but was actually bad and sinful, Eve had enticed Adam with an offer that sounded good but was actually bad and sinful, too. For Sarai was breaking God's Law of marriage that was supposed to be between only one man and one woman. No doubt, she and Abram probably rationialized this sin as being accceptable to God because they were trying to help God out with keeping true to His Promise of being blessed with a seed that would be as innumerable as the stars.

Jason0047 · Nov 13, 2014

Jason0047 said:

In fact, Jesus said,

"Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,"

"For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?"

(Matthew 19:4-5).

...

Dan_473 · Nov 14, 2014

Jason0047 said:

Story #10 - Hagar and Ishmael's Story

~ A Blessing for Hagar and Ishmael ~

~ Part 1: ~
(The Birth of Ishmael)

Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

And Sarai said unto Abram,
"Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her."

And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

And Sarai said unto Abram,
"My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee."

But Abram said unto Sarai,
"Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee."

And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

And he said,
"Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go?

And she said,
"I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai."

And the angel of the LORD said unto her,
"Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands."

And the angel of the LORD said unto her,
"I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude."

And the angel of the LORD said unto her,
"Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren."

And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her,
"Thou God seest me:"

for she said,
"Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?"

Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare,
"Ishmael."

And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

(Genesis 16:1-15).

...

"submit thyself under her hands"
a sad phrase, here in Genesis... Abraham is a wealthy man, he doesn't need to enslave other humans, he could have a hired worker for Sarah...

Jason0047 · Nov 15, 2014

Jason0047 said:

Hagar was an Egyptian hand maid of Sarai. Galatians chapter 4 talks about how Hagar was a bond servant. Paul was making an analogy of:

#1. Hagar who was a bondservant & Ishmael (the child of the flesh) with the Law & Mount Sinai (versus):
#2. Sarai who was a free woman and the mother of Isaac (the child of the Promise) which was of faith.

Here are a couple more parallels or anti-types (analogies):

1. 12 Tribes.
(a) Ishmael is father of 12 tribes.
(b) Jacob (Israel) is father of 12 tribes.

2. Of different origins.
(a) Ishmael's mother was Egyptian.
(b) Isaac's mother was of Hebrew.

4. Mothers.
(a). Hagar was a slave servant (who represents bondage and sin).
(b) Sarai was a free woman (who represents faith and salvation).

5. Sons Part 1.
(a) Ishmael was conceived of naturally (a son of man) (of the Earthly order).
(b) Isaac was conceived of supernaturally (a son of God) (of the Saints or Heavenly order)
(A person of the resurrection; Born from a barren womb).

6. Sons Part 2.
(a) Ishmael is first born. (Born once type).
(b) Isaac is second born (Born again type).

7. Brides.
(a) Hagar finds a bride for her son (Natural bride).
(b) Eliezer (Master of Abram's household) prays for God to find a bride for Abram's son.
(Spiritual bride).

Galatians 4:30
"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."

In other words, in Galatians 4: Paul's point (concerning Sarai/Isaac vs. Hagar/Ishmael) is that the Law leads to bondage and it is of the flesh. Wheras having faith leads to liberty and freedom within the Spirit; And make ones of the Promised Seed (Jesus Christ).

Abram was 75 years old when he left his father's house towards Canaan. Being 10 years within the land of Canaan at this point (within Abram's Story) would make him 85 years of age.

Jason0047 · Nov 16, 2014

In Galatians 4, Sarai/Isaac is paralleled with Jerusalem (Representing Faith and Freedom) and Hagar/Ishmael is paralleled with Mt. Sinai (Representing Law and Bondage). I believe Mt. Sinai is Mt. Jabal al Lawz in Saudi Arabia - Which lines up with Paul essentially sayng, Jerusalem is above Mount Sinai in Abrabia (i.e. Saudi Arabia)).

The phrase, “Jerusalem, which is above [Mount Sinai],” clarified that Jerusalem and Mount Sinai corresponded to the same line of longitude. “Above” is translated from the Greek ano, a word that can also mean “upward” or “on the top” (ibid., #507). It appears in the NT nine times. Of chief interest here is its specific geographical meaning of “on the north” or “northward.” The word was used in this manner by the notable Greek historian Herodotus (Liddell and Scott 1889, 83-84). Paul’s inclusion of ano defined Jerusalem as being north of Mount Sinai on his line of sustoicheo.With these observations in mind, the geographical concepts in Galatians 4:25-26 can be summarized as follows:

1) Mount Sinai was in the Arabia of Paul’s day. 2) Sustoicheo: Jerusalem and Mount Sinai were on the same line of latitude or longitude. 3) Ano: Jerusalem was north of Mount Sinai. 4) The north-south relationship puts Jerusalem and Mount Sinai on a similar meridian of longitude.

Plotting Paul’s location for Mount Sinai

The map in Figure 4 shows the 35-15’E longitude meridian that passes just east of the Old City of Jerusalem. Moving southward, the line crosses the mountains of western Jordan, the ancient place of Mount Seir. Long before the Exodus, this region was synonymous with Edom, land that had been divinely granted to Esau, the brother of Jacob (Israel). Several arguments exist for not placing Mount Sinai in Edom, among them the biblical injunction that Esau’s territory was not to be violated by the Israelites

.

Source:
Mount Sinai and the Apostle Paul | Ancient Exodus

Kerry · Nov 16, 2014

You missed there are 13 tribes of Israel as there are 13 Apostles. The bond women was a test for Abraham as He loved Ishmael but had to send Him away. Ishmael was the child of bondage and Issac was the child of promise, which is symbolic of the cross. The theme of the bible is the cross and not outlandish Ideas. It is the cross and nothing else.

Jason0047 · Nov 16, 2014

Jason0047 said:

In Galatians 4, Sarai/Isaac is paralleled with Jerusalem (Representing Faith and Freedom) and Hagar/Ishmael is paralleled with Mt. Sinai (Representing Law and Bondage). I believe Mt. Sinai is Mt. Jabal al Lawz in Saudi Arabia - Which lines up with Paul essentially sayng, Jerusalem is above Mount Sinai in Abrabia (i.e. Saudi Arabia)).

The phrase, “Jerusalem, which is above [Mount Sinai],” clarified that Jerusalem and Mount Sinai corresponded to the same line of longitude. “Above” is translated from the Greek ano, a word that can also mean “upward” or “on the top” (ibid., #507). It appears in the NT nine times. Of chief interest here is its specific geographical meaning of “on the north” or “northward.” The word was used in this manner by the notable Greek historian Herodotus (Liddell and Scott 1889, 83-84). Paul’s inclusion of ano defined Jerusalem as being north of Mount Sinai on his line of sustoicheo.With these observations in mind, the geographical concepts in Galatians 4:25-26 can be summarized as follows:

1) Mount Sinai was in the Arabia of Paul’s day. 2) Sustoicheo: Jerusalem and Mount Sinai were on the same line of latitude or longitude. 3) Ano: Jerusalem was north of Mount Sinai. 4) The north-south relationship puts Jerusalem and Mount Sinai on a similar meridian of longitude.

Plotting Paul’s location for Mount Sinai

The map in Figure 4 shows the 35-15’E longitude meridian that passes just east of the Old City of Jerusalem. Moving southward, the line crosses the mountains of western Jordan, the ancient place of Mount Seir. Long before the Exodus, this region was synonymous with Edom, land that had been divinely granted to Esau, the brother of Jacob (Israel). Several arguments exist for not placing Mount Sinai in Edom, among them the biblical injunction that Esau’s territory was not to be violated by the Israelites

.

Source:
Mount Sinai and the Apostle Paul | Ancient Exodus

In Galatians 4:22-26, the Apostle Paul used an allegory based on a geographical reality to present a spiritual lesson. Within that allegory, a play on words using the geographical terms sustoicheo and ano suggests that Paul understood Mount Sinai to lie somewhere to the south of Jerusalem.

I believe to Mt. Sinai (South of Jerusalme) is Mt. Jabal la Lawz in Saudi Abrabia.

Source:
Mount Sinai and the Apostle Paul | Ancient Exodus

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