Galatians 4:29

In Genesis 21:9-10, we read, -And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had borne unto Abraham, mocking. Wherefore she said, Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac". There is no specific mention here of persecution. But apart from the fact that insult is one form of persecution a form in which the spirit of hatred finds expression when prevented by law or lack of opportunity from open violence according to the Jewish tradition, Ishmael actually assaulted Isaac. And this hostility was perpetuated by their descendants. The Hagarenes or Hagarites are thrice mentioned among the enemies of Israel, 1Ch 5:10; 1 Chronicles 5:19; Psalms 68:7.

even so it is now Compare our Lord's words (John 15:20), -If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you". St Paul could say this from his own experience. See 2 Timothy 3:11, where after speaking of the persecutions which he had endured, he adds, -Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution". From the Acts of the Apostles we learn that the chief originators of these persecutions were the Jews whose bigoted attachment to the Rabbinic system inspired them with a bitter hatred of the Gospel and those who proclaimed it. In the subsequent history of the Church the illustrations of St Paul's words are written in letters of blood. But to those who suffer for the truth these persecutions are an evident token of salvation, and that of God, Philippians 1:28. They are -the marks of the Lord Jesus", proofs of sonship, badges of freedom, pledges of inheritance.