The story uses Sarah and Hagar to show the big difference between living by God’s grace and trying to earn God’s approval by obeying rules. Ishmael represents people who trust their own good deeds, while Isaac represents people who trust God’s promise. In the end, the message is that only grace—not personal effort—can make someone part of God’s family.
A sermon delivered by Charles Spurgeon on March 2, 1856.
