Who or what do Hagar and Ishmael represent in the Galatians 4 allegory?
Hagar and Ishmael represent the bondwoman and her son, who were born after the flesh and picture legalism. Scripture says the son of the bondwoman is not an heir with the son of the free woman, so legalism must be cast out, just as Abraham and Sarah sent Hagar and Ishmael away.
Les teaches that Ishmael was born after the flesh and persecuted Isaac, who was born after the Spirit. The unbelieving world still outnumbers believers and constantly tries to put them down, but Scripture says, "Cast out the bondwoman and her son," because the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman. Hagar and Ishmael are a picture of legalism. Since God detests legalism, once you understand the Gospel of Grace, you cast legalism out, just as Abraham and Sarah sent Hagar and Ishmael into the desert. Believers are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.