What was the schoolmaster in Paul's analogy?
The schoolmaster in Paul's analogy is the Law, depicted as a hired servant instructed to bring the child to maturity so he could step into his father's work. That servant pictures the Law, which was intended to prepare Israel to receive the Messiah and be ready in faith.
Les explains that this schoolmaster is the servant hired and instructed to bring the child to the place where he could step right in and work with the Father. In that culture, adoption did not mean taking an outsider into the family; it meant being placed as a full operating son, equal with the Father in responsibility and function. That servant pictures the Law, which was intended to do the same for Israel: to prepare them, and prepare, and prepare, until the Messiah would come, so they could be ready and in faith say yes. A few did believe, but for the most part the nation rejected it. The concept remains valid for Gentiles too: the Law was given to prepare everything for the coming of the Messiah, that He could fulfill the work of the Cross—His death, burial, and resurrection for our justification.