The Law in the Gospel

Luther: The story of Hagar and Ishmael wondering in the desert has to do with law in gospel. Both are identifying who they are on the basis of what they have of their station, of their entitlement. They're both at the point of hopelessness and despair and death. God graciously opens their eyes, speaks words of life to them and actually gives them water that brings them back to hope and to life once more.