Galatians 4:9-11

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

Please share your thoughts on Galatians 4:9-11...

“But now that you have come to know G'd, or rather are known by G'd, how is it that you return again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be in absolute slavery to once again? You scrupulously observe days and months and seasons and years. I am frightened for you; that I have labored wearily over you without a cause”

Shalom,

Reuel

[Mark]

How interesting that this is the same sort of thing that God said to Israel through the prophet Isaiah, Isaiah 1:12-15; yet no one suggests that this is a change in the Law, or a loosing of the commandment. It is rather a rebuke against Israel who thinks they're pleasing God when really they are offending Him.

I think the key to this particular passage is Galatians 4:8-, 9:

But then, indeed, not knowing Elohim, you served those which by nature are not mighty ones. But now after you have known Elohim, or rather are known by Elohim, how do you turn again to the weak and poor elementary matters, to which you wish to be enslaved again?
(Gal 4:8-9 The Scriptures '98)

The Galatians were taking the gospel message and adapting the application of Judaic ritaulism back into their pagan understanding. Sounds sickenningly familiar, doesn't it? They were, as Paul would have said, being conformed rather than being transformed by the renewing of their minds, that they may prove what is that good, perfect and acceptable will of God. (Romans 12:2)

The Galatians had turned true worship and obedience out of love for God who had saved them by His grace, into ritual idolatry- if you do these things, you'll be acceptable to God. Paul is not saying to forsake the Hebrew feasts or the Sabbath Laws. If he did, he would have been lying in Acts 28:17, where he testified, "I have committed nothing against... the customs of our fathers."

[Chizuk Emunah]

I would seriously doubt that he was referring to Jewish practices in this context.