Tag: Isaac and Jesus
Isaac and Jesus
Scripture reading for January 9th: Genesis 21-24
Isaac was a miracle child, born by the word of God to two people who were humanly beyond child-bearing. Isaac grew in grace and favor, except with Hagar and Ishmael. When Sarah caught Ishmael mocking Isaac, she went to Abraham and told him to get rid of both Ishmael and his mother. (Genesis 21:9-10) Abraham was greatly distressed because Ishmael was his son, but when he prayed to God, God told him to listen to his wife Sarah. His inheritance would be through Isaac, not Ishmael, and God assured him that He would also take care of Ishmael and Hagar.
Isaac grew to be a young man and one day God tested Abraham. He spoke directly to him about taking Isaac and offering him as a sacrifice on a mountain that God would show him. Abraham got up early the next morning and obeyed. They traveled for three days with enough wood, fire making materials, and a knife to kill the sacrifice. When Abraham saw the place, he left the servants and donkeys and he and Isaac went up the mountain. Isaac was carrying the wood and asked his father where the lamb for the sacrifice was. All Abraham could answer was “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” (Genesis 22:8)
They built the altar and arranged the wood and then Abraham bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar. He took the knife and was about to sacrifice his son when an angel of the Lord stopped him. Abraham looked and a ram was caught in the thicket. He went over and took the ram and offered it instead. He called the place, “Jehovah Jireh” which means “the Lord will provide“. (Genesis 22:14) Abraham’s faith was rewarded with another covenant affirmation.
Jesus Christ was the special Son of Joseph and Mary, born by supernatural intervention. He was tested by being asked by his Father in Heaven to offer Himself as a sacrifice. He carried the wood for the altar and gave Himself for the Lamb that God provided. God raised Him from the dead and He now lives forever making possible an everlasting covenant for all who trust in Him! The place he offered Himself is in the region where Abraham took Isaac to sacrifice. What an amazing God we have! He knows how to provide the Lamb! (John 1:29)