“When the fullness of the time had come,” reads verse 4 of Galatians chapter 4. The promise given to Adam had been fulfilled. Paul wrote, “God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law” (Galatians 4:4-5). Four thousand years of anticipation was rewarded!

The entire Old Testament tells of one thing: future redemption of man from the curse of sin. Hope was given to Adam. A promise was made to Abraham (and reinforced to Isaac, Jacob and Joseph). Shadows of God’s future eternal judgment and salvation were illustrated in Noah’s flood and Moses’ exodus. A glorious picture of God’s redemption in the person and work of the Savior were seen in the construction of the tabernacle in the wilderness. The Lord’s plan to dwell among His people continuously was beautifully displayed through the pillar of cloud and fire. And the final arrival at an eternal home in heaven was demonstrated by the drama of crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Every prophet, priest and king that served the Lord spoke of the future hope for God’s people—from Genesis to Malachi. The most amazing shadow was the one spoken of by the apostle Paul. It was a man who lost paradise, so a man must regain it. But all men were (and are) sinful in their very nature; therefore, the curse of the law of God was against every man. Yet, a man was required to satisfy the just Creator. The blood sacrifice of animals served only as a picture of the reality. Redemption could only be accomplished by a man’s blood, a perfectly sinless man. A man disobeyed, so a man must be penalized: “born of a woman” and “born under the law” in order to fulfill the necessity of a perfect man. However, he must be without the inherited sin nature that passed from the first man. (to be continued)

Sin cera, Erik

Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

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