Isaac – Son of Abraham and Sarah
Introduction of Isaac
Abraham and Sarah were childless and had reached old age. Sarah was about 90 years old and Abraham was 100 years old when God gave them Isaac. The birth of Isaac was a miracle because at that time both Abraham and Sarah were very old. They were very happy at the birth of Isaac because God had promised them that they would have children. God had a test for Abraham in this child too. God asked his servant Abraham to test him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Isaac and Sarah prayed for children from their youth to old age and when they had children in their old age, God said to sacrifice him in my way. It was a very difficult decision that Abraham had to make. Abraham loved his children and did not avoid God’s orders and went to sacrifice Isaac in God’s way. This shows that Abraham’s faith was very deep.
Verse
“Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.” (Genesis 17:19)
Reference: (Genesis 22:1-12)
Early Life of Isaac
Sarah and Abraham were very sad because they wanted to have children but they were not having children. They were patient in this matter and used to pray to God to give them children. When he had a child in his old age, he named his son Isaac. Isaac means happiness. Isaac has a very important role in the history of Israel. He also became a very obedient servant of God.
Verse
“Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.” (Genesis 21:2)
Isaac’s Sacrifice
God put Abraham to the test when he commanded him to sacrifice his son, saying, “Sacrifice your son in my way.” Although Abraham found it extremely difficult to sacrifice his beloved son, he did it because he believed it to be a divine command. Because of his loyalty, God was pleased with Abraham and spared his son by substituting a lamb for him at the time of the sacrifice. This demonstrates Abraham’s strong faith and the fact that God continued to grant him kindness after this point. It also demonstrates that Abraham did not put his son and the son’s love before God.
Verse
When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” (Genesis 22:9-12)
Marriage Life of Isaac
Isaac married a woman named Rebekah. Rebekah belonged to Isaac’s family. She was a very beautiful and good woman. Isaac had a good life with Rebekah. God blessed him with two sons. The name of one was Esau and the name of the other was Jacob. Esau became the foundation of the nation of Edom and Jacob became the foundation of the nation of Israel.
Verse
“Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.” (Genesis 24:67)
Verse
“When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.” (Genesis 25:24-26)
Events in The Life of Isaac
Isaac was a very good and faithful person. He lived in the way of his father Abraham. They had two sons, one named Esau and the other named Jacob. Isaac loved Esau very much. Esau was older than Jacob, so Esau had the blessing of the firstborn, but Jacob, together with his mother Rebekah, took the blessing of Esau’s firstborn. This incident changed Isaac’s life. By taking the blessing of Esau’s firstborn and taking Esau’s blessing from his father Isaac, Jacob became the father of the Israelites.
Verse
He went to his father and said, “My father.” “Yes, my son,” he answered. “Who is it?” Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.” Isaac asked his son, “How did you find it so quickly, my son? “The Lord your God gave me success,” he replied. Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not.” Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he proceeded to bless him. “Are you really my son Esau?” he asked. “I am,” he replied. Then he said, “My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing.” (Genesis 27:18-29)
Death of Isaac
Isaac was buried after his death with his parents Abraham and Sarah. Isaac spent his whole life in fulfilling God’s commands. Moreover, Isaac became the foundation of the nation of Israel because his son Jacob continued the generation. Isaac was about 180 years old when he died.
Verse
“Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years. Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.” (Genesis 35:28-29)
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
If we read about the life of Isaac, we get this lesson that we should always believe in the promises of God. He always fulfills the promises that he made. No matter how hard times come, God should always be given priority. Faith must be strong in the heart. Isaac’s life tells us that we should always trust God and be patient.
