Page 62 - Laying Down the Law

My Servant Moses

have found that by studying the parabolic nature of the lives of Old Testament
Ifigures, much insight can be gained concerning matters that are shrouded in a fog
of confusion. In the previous chapter we looked at the life of Hagar. Who would have
known that the two wives of Abraham were intended by Yahweh to serve as
testimonies of two covenants that have been made with His people? If the apostle
Paul had not declared this to be so, certainly the matter would have been hidden from
the eyes of most Christians.
Let us pause and consider Hagar for one more moment before passing on to
Moses. Knowing that Yahweh hates divorce, and that He is a covenant keeping God,
does not the sending away of Hagar cause one’s attention to be arrested? Why would
Yahweh sanction divorce in this case, for truly this is what occurred. Though Hagar
was not given a writ of divorce (these were not used until 430 years later when the
Law was given) her husband rejected her, casting out the bondwoman and her son.
Such an act appears unjust to those who do not perceive the spiritual pattern
being portrayed. How would Hagar and her son survive? All they were sent away with
was some bread and water. They had a wilderness to cross on foot. Does not such an
act by Abraham smack of treachery? Indeed, it would have been an unrighteous act
had he arrived at this course by the counsel of his own soul. However, it was Yahweh
who told Abraham to send away the bondwoman and her son.
Many Christians today view the casting away of the covenant of Law as an act of
treachery. It is hard for the natural mind to justify such an action. The Law has been
the constant companion of the people of God since the days of Moses. It has born fruit
according to its ability. The people of God entered into covenant with the Law. How
can it be right to cast it away with as apparent little regard as Abraham manifested in
sending forth Hagar? Although many cannot justify such a course of action in their
minds, the Scriptures reveal it to be the will of God.

Galatians 4:24, 30
For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth
to bondage, which is Hagar... Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? "Cast
out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be
heir with the son of the freewoman."

What is spoken here is very plain. The Law entered into by covenant at Mount
Sinai must be cast out. Surely this offends the mind of man as much today as it would
have for modern Christians to observe Abraham turning Hagar and Ishmael out of his
tents. Would not any person of moral conscience chide Abraham for such an act?
Apart from hearing Yahweh declare this to be His will, Abraham would stand
condemned by those who witnessed his actions.
This is the way of things to this very hour. Those who have not discerned the
mind of Yahweh in this matter are greatly troubled, even offended, at the thought of