Why is it foolish for a believer to turn back to the law and legalism?
Because the law and legalism are weak and beggarly elements that cannot lift a person out of bondage. The believer is already known by God, positioned as His child and heir, and has the Holy Spirit to direct them, so turning back exchanges something solid and better for a dust-groveling system.
Les explains that these people had come out of paganism, no longer worshipping wood and stone, and were now known by God personally because they were His children. Since they were in such a glorified position, the text asks why they would turn again to the weak and beggarly elements. To be beggarly means to be groveling and begging for mercy; these things were weak and had no power to lift people out of bondage and paganism. Les compares this with the book of Hebrews, where the former things were good, but now there are things a thousand times better. Because their feet were planted on something solid, they were heirs with God, and they had the Holy Spirit to direct them, turning back to the law and legalism—a beggarly, dust-groveling system—makes no sense.
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
More Questions
Why should a believer not turn back to the law after being made an heir with the Holy Spirit?
Because believers have their feet planted on something solid, are heirs with God, and have the Holy Spirit to direct them, it makes no sense to turn back to what is beggarly.