For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
Summary: This is awkward! I just realized that I had skipped over Galatians 3:18. Don’t ask me why because you’ll just get a long list of excuses. So here we are for the first time I can remember, tackling a passage out of order.
Prior to this verse, Paul talks about God’s promise to Abraham and his “seed.” He compares this promise to a covenant or a “will.” Then, in verse seventeen, he points out that the law given after the promise does not “do away” with the promise.
In today’s passage, Paul makes his point again. This time, he reverses the logic. Inheriting a promise from God cannot depend on God’s promise and a requirement that we do something under the law. Either God’s promise stands on its own, or we depend on our ability to meet the requirements of the law.
God promised Abraham the land of Canaan for his descendants (Genesis 15:18). This meant that (A) Abraham would have descendants, and (B) there would be a lot of them.
At the time, there was no “law” for Abraham to follow. He heard God’s Voice, and he listened and obeyed. In short, “Abram believed the Lord,” when he promised him descendants and the land of Canaan, “and he (God) credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).
The law was given through Moses hundreds of years later. The question Paul poses has to do with the chicken and the egg. Which came first? In the case of the chicken, we don’t know. The Bible doesn’t tell us. In the case of God’s promise to Abraham and the giving of the law, we do know. God’s promise came first.
The part of this passage that I find most interesting is that Paul’s argument holds even before Jesus was born. Faith in God is key. Moses didn’t bring God’s law down from Mt. Sinai so the Israelites could earn God’s favor. Moses makes this exceedingly clear when he says:
“Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.” (Deuteronomy 9:6)
The promise of God was always just that, a promise.
Application: Trust God.
Food for Thought: If a person inherits a fortune from their parents, should they thank their parents or the inheritance laws? Why?
If a person inherits a fortune from their parents, should they thank their parents or the inheritance laws? Why?
They should thank God.
Well said, Tim! 🙂
I’m also reminded about how King Josiah did good before he had the book of the law. 2 kings 22.
As I am going through a few older blogs I am again reminded about 2 kings this time 2 Kings 21:14. As it goes over inheritance. Also I’d like to point out how king Josiah’s father and grandfather both did evil in the eyes of the Lord yet at the age of 8 he made better choices and didn’t follow in his father’s footsteps.
Thanks Tim!
I hear you pointing out that people can make good decisions without knowing the law.
Fair point!
Noah and Abraham both walked with God without knowing the Law. Job, too, seemed to having an understanding of God without a direct connection of the Law given to Moses.
I agree with you. The Law is not needed for making good decisions, but it does provide a boundary for those prone to make bad decisions.
Good stuff T. I agree, they should thank God. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to be thankful to our parents either. The parents are the ones who raise us and they are God’s provision as well. But God is indeed the provider of everything good (James 1: 17 – 18).
Rich,
Welcome back! 🙂
I think your conclusion is “a-parent.”
Thank you! 🙂
If a person inherits a fortune from their parents, should they thank their parents for the inheritance laws? Why?
All believers should be eternally grateful for God’s gift of grace, the mercy He has shown us, with the sacrifice of His Son which enables us to come freely into His presence, as His children, and to receive the rich inheritance of peace in all our current circumstances, even those that are sad and difficult.
Hebrews 9:15, For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Colossians 1:12-14, with joy giving thanks to” the Father who has qualified you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son He loves,14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Ephesians 1:14, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Thank you, Ron!
I notice that you don’t give any credit to the “law” for our inheritance, but give all glory to our Father and the Son, which is as it should be.
Blessings!