To: The Cities Who Have Ears To Hear
The concept of "sin" related to a "bondwoman" in the biblical context is not about specific individual sins of a "slave," but rather an allegory used by the Apostle Paul in the book of Galatians to contrast two different covenants. For Paul himself was a self-professed slave for Christ, as am I also:
The Bondwoman (Hagar) representing the Old Covenant (Law): In this allegory, the children born under the Old Covenant (like Ishmael, Hagar's son) are depicted as being in bondage to the law.
The Free Woman (Sarah) representing the New Covenant (Grace): Those who come to God through faith in Jesus Christ are considered children of the free woman (like Isaac, Sarah's son) and are set free from the bondage of sin and the Law.
Therefore, the "sin of the bondwoman" is not necessarily a personal sin she committed, but rather a representation of the sin of being under the old covenant of the law and attempting to be saved by works, which leads to bondage. The allegory emphasizes that true freedom and salvation come through grace and faith in Christ, not by adherence to the Law.
Much like Hagar was to God's covenant with Abraham; so is a false prophet to a "prophet's reward." A false prophet can no more bring forth promise for a city than Hagar could in Abraham's covenant. Hagar's presence in Abraham's journey was nothing more than a test (part of the process) which Abraham failed. Engaging the bondwoman may seem harmless enough, but the cost is very high. What looks and sounds good isn't always of God.
The bondwoman mentality always serves to entangle. While "Take back what the devil stole from you" was a suitable tactic for King David's situation: being that the Amalakites had actually stolen from him, it is not a blanket directive for all men. If that person(s) has stolen nothing from you, it's nothing more than a false accusation, which warrants God's rebuke upon your own head. It's funny how people attempt to dismiss the Old Testament unless they think it fits their narrative to justify their wrongdoing. The fact is, David himself also took what wasn't his, and suffered greatly because of it.
Has your city's behavior been guiltless towards her sister cities? If you're walking according to Jesus's precepts, the instructions are clear. But, unjust behavior towards others always seems to open the door to paranoia:
Matthew 5:40 (NIV)
"And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well."
Why? When you seek your own vengeance, not only are you disobeying Christ's instructions, you're also stealing from God.
Romans 12:19 (KJV)
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the LORD.
One sure way to identify a bondwoman or false prophet is that both will have you engaged in unnecessary and even ungodly (vile) activities that go against Christ's teachings. Such entanglements only lead to shame and defeat. But more than that, it makes Christ look bad.
Matthew 10:32 (MSG)
"Stand up for me against world opinion and I'll stand up for you before my Father in heaven."
If your prophet's counsel instructs you to disrespect or harass, particularly someone who has done you no wrong, that's the spirit of the "bondwoman."
Galatians 4 (MSG)
²⁹In the days of Hagar and Sarah, the child who came from faithless connivance (Ishmael) harassed the child who came--empowered by the Spirit--from the faithful promise (Isaac). Isn't it clear that the harassment you are now experiencing from the Jerusalem heretics follows that old pattern? ³⁰There is a Scripture that tells us what to do: "Expel the slave mother with her son, for the slave son will not inherit with the free son."
The outer cup looked as though Hagar had done what Sarah was incapable of doing. But, God called Sarah into that covenant assignment, not Hagar. Therefore, just as Hagar only served to block Abraham's reward, the bondwoman micounsels others in doctrines that ultimately block their own rewards. Indeed, the bondwomen must cast out along with their children (their illegitimate doctrine). Then and only then, if God is willing, will a city be free to receive the rewards of covenant.
"If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear."
Afterthought: WOW! If it was that easy for bondwomen to turn so many away from God, prospering nothing in the midst thereof; I can't even imagine what the days of 666 will be like.
The concept of "sin" related to a "bondwoman" in the biblical context is not about specific individual sins of a "slave," but rather an allegory used by the Apostle Paul in the book of Galatians to contrast two different covenants. For Paul himself was a self-professed slave for Christ, as am I also:
The Bondwoman (Hagar) representing the Old Covenant (Law): In this allegory, the children born under the Old Covenant (like Ishmael, Hagar's son) are depicted as being in bondage to the law.
The Free Woman (Sarah) representing the New Covenant (Grace): Those who come to God through faith in Jesus Christ are considered children of the free woman (like Isaac, Sarah's son) and are set free from the bondage of sin and the Law.
Therefore, the "sin of the bondwoman" is not necessarily a personal sin she committed, but rather a representation of the sin of being under the old covenant of the law and attempting to be saved by works, which leads to bondage. The allegory emphasizes that true freedom and salvation come through grace and faith in Christ, not by adherence to the Law.
Much like Hagar was to God's covenant with Abraham; so is a false prophet to a "prophet's reward." A false prophet can no more bring forth promise for a city than Hagar could in Abraham's covenant. Hagar's presence in Abraham's journey was nothing more than a test (part of the process) which Abraham failed. Engaging the bondwoman may seem harmless enough, but the cost is very high. What looks and sounds good isn't always of God.
The bondwoman mentality always serves to entangle. While "Take back what the devil stole from you" was a suitable tactic for King David's situation: being that the Amalakites had actually stolen from him, it is not a blanket directive for all men. If that person(s) has stolen nothing from you, it's nothing more than a false accusation, which warrants God's rebuke upon your own head. It's funny how people attempt to dismiss the Old Testament unless they think it fits their narrative to justify their wrongdoing. The fact is, David himself also took what wasn't his, and suffered greatly because of it.
Has your city's behavior been guiltless towards her sister cities? If you're walking according to Jesus's precepts, the instructions are clear. But, unjust behavior towards others always seems to open the door to paranoia:
Matthew 5:40 (NIV)
"And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well."
Why? When you seek your own vengeance, not only are you disobeying Christ's instructions, you're also stealing from God.
Romans 12:19 (KJV)
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the LORD.
One sure way to identify a bondwoman or false prophet is that both will have you engaged in unnecessary and even ungodly (vile) activities that go against Christ's teachings. Such entanglements only lead to shame and defeat. But more than that, it makes Christ look bad.
Matthew 10:32 (MSG)
"Stand up for me against world opinion and I'll stand up for you before my Father in heaven."
If your prophet's counsel instructs you to disrespect or harass, particularly someone who has done you no wrong, that's the spirit of the "bondwoman."
Galatians 4 (MSG)
²⁹In the days of Hagar and Sarah, the child who came from faithless connivance (Ishmael) harassed the child who came--empowered by the Spirit--from the faithful promise (Isaac). Isn't it clear that the harassment you are now experiencing from the Jerusalem heretics follows that old pattern? ³⁰There is a Scripture that tells us what to do: "Expel the slave mother with her son, for the slave son will not inherit with the free son."
The outer cup looked as though Hagar had done what Sarah was incapable of doing. But, God called Sarah into that covenant assignment, not Hagar. Therefore, just as Hagar only served to block Abraham's reward, the bondwoman micounsels others in doctrines that ultimately block their own rewards. Indeed, the bondwomen must cast out along with their children (their illegitimate doctrine). Then and only then, if God is willing, will a city be free to receive the rewards of covenant.
"If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear."
Afterthought: WOW! If it was that easy for bondwomen to turn so many away from God, prospering nothing in the midst thereof; I can't even imagine what the days of 666 will be like.
