Yes, the Law given to Israel is allegorically represented by Ishmael, as both are associated with the flesh and stand in contrast to grace and promise.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul uses the historical account of Ishmael and Isaac in Galatians 4 as an allegory. Ishmael, born of the bondwoman Hagar after the flesh, symbolizes the Law given to Israel at Mount Sinai, which is fleshly and carnal in its operation. Isaac, the son of promise, represents grace and the spiritual seed.
Galatians 4:24 — Paul explicitly calls the Hagar-Ishmael account an allegory, linking the bondwoman to Mount Sinai and the Law.
Galatians 4:22-23 — This passage contrasts Ishmael (born after the flesh) with Isaac (born by promise), providing the biblical basis for the allegory.
In Galatians 4:22-24, Paul states, "For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar." Thus, Scripture itself identifies the bondwoman Hagar with the covenant of Law given at Mount Sinai, which brings bondage. The son of the bondwoman, Ishmael, is described as born "after the flesh," contrasting with Isaac, who was born "by promise" (Galatians 4:23). The Bible also records that Ishmael mocked Isaac, leading to Hagar and Ishmael being cast out, as referenced in Genesis 21:10 and quoted in Galatians 4:30: "Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman."
Les Feldick explains that Paul uses the historical event of Ishmael and Isaac as an allegory to illustrate the relationship between Law and Grace. Ishmael stands for the Law and legalism, which is fleshly and carnal, while Isaac represents grace and promise. The Law, though spiritual and perfect from God's viewpoint, becomes fleshly and weak when practiced by man. Therefore, just as Ishmael was cast out of Abraham's household, so must legalism be utterly separated from the believer's life. Les emphasizes that God set this allegory in motion in Genesis so that Paul could later use it to teach that law and grace cannot coexist.
Ishmael was born after the flesh, as a result of human planning rather than God's promise (Clip 0). Les teaches that Ishmael represents the energy of the flesh, which is exactly what the Law appeals to (Clip 5). The Law, while holy and spiritual in its origin, becomes fleshly and carnal in its operation because it depends on human works (Clip 7). Thus, Ishmael symbolizes the Law and legalism, which are of the flesh.
Hagar, the bondwoman, is identified with the covenant from Mount Sinai in Arabia (Galatians 4:24-25). Les explains that this covenant is one of bondage, corresponding to the Law given to Israel at Sinai. The Law was given to an earthly people with earthly promises, and its operation was fleshly, just as Hagar was a slave woman (Clip 0, Clip 7). Therefore, the entire Sinai covenant bears the same characteristics as Hagar and Ishmael.
Les teaches that as Ishmael was cast out so that Isaac could be the sole heir, so legalism must be cast out for grace to prevail. Paul's allegory shows that the son of the bondwoman (law) cannot be heir with the son of the freewoman (grace). Just as Abraham separated Ishmael and Isaac completely, believers must separate themselves entirely from law and legalism (Clip 2, Clip 4, Clip 7).
Paul explicitly calls the events an allegory. Les explains that this is a living illustration: Ishmael, born of the flesh, symbolizes the law; Isaac, born of promise, symbolizes grace. This allegory demonstrates that law and grace cannot coexist, and that attempting to mix them voids the work of Christ (Clip 0, Clip 3, Clip 4).
Allegory Defined
Les explains that Paul calls the Ishmael-Isaac account an allegory, and that Ishmael was born after the flesh with no divine involvement.
Ishmael Cast Out
Les states that Ishmael stood for law and legalism, Isaac for grace, and that legalism must be sent out just as Ishmael was.
No Coexistence
Les emphasizes that Ishmael and Isaac cannot have interrelationship, just as law and grace cannot mix.
Ishmael Represents Fleshly Law
Les teaches that Ishmael represented the law, which was fleshly, while Isaac is indicative of grace based on promise.
Complete Separation
Les illustrates that the Law must be treated as Abraham treated Ishmael—cast out completely, not kept in proximity.
Fleshly Origin
Les reminds that Ishmael was born in response to fleshly wishes, and always pictures the energy of the flesh.
Jacob Becomes Israel — What Romans 9 Says About True Faith
But after about 50 years, Abraham got impatient, and he delved back into the pagan customs of using a surrogate mother, and so Sarah really thought of it first, and suggested that they have a son by their slave girl Hagar. And Abraham of course quickly agreed to that, and so from that fleshly idea comes the man Ishmael, again the natural son.
Law is Carnal
Les explains that the Law, though spiritual and perfect from God's viewpoint, is carnal, fleshly, and weak from man's side, and must be cast out.
Galatians 4:22: For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Sets up the comparison between the two sons, essential for understanding the allegory.
Galatians 4:23: But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Highlights the contrast between fleshly birth and promise, directly linking Ishmael to the flesh.
Galatians 4:24: Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Explicitly connects Hagar to Mount Sinai and the covenant of bondage, which is the Law.
Galatians 4:25: For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Further identifies Hagar with the Law's bondage, including the earthly Jerusalem.
Galatians 4:30: 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.
Commands separation from law and legalism, just as Ishmael was cast out.
Yes, in Galatians 4:24 Paul says the account is an allegory, and identifies Hagar (Ishmael's mother) with the covenant from Mount Sinai, which is the Law. Ishmael himself is the son of that bondwoman, representing the law and legalism.
Les teaches that although the Law is spiritual and perfect from God's viewpoint, from man's perspective it is carnal and fleshly because it depends on human efforts and works. This aligns with Ishmael's birth after the flesh.
No, according to Les Feldick, law and grace cannot coexist. Just as Ishmael and Isaac could not live under the same roof, legalism must be cast out so that grace can prevail.
Watch the Teaching: Abraham, Sarah, and the Allegory of Law vs. Grace | Genesis 20-21