As we come in our study of Genesis
to the birth of Isaac, it is worth considering the great parallels between the life of Isaac and the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Today and tomorrow we will look at some of them:
Sons Of Promise
First of all, both the birth of Isaac and the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ had been promised beforehand by God:
“And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.” (Genesis 18:10)
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
Announcements Were Questioned By Their Mothers
Both Isaac and Jesus were announced beforehand by God to their mothers, both of who at first questioned how their births could be possible:
“Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” (Genesis 18:12)
“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34)
Miraculous Births
Both Isaac and Jesus were born miraculously in ways that were seemingly impossible:
“Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.” (Genesis 18:11)
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 1:18)
Born At The Appointed Time Of God
Isaac and Jesus were both born at a preset time ordered by God Himself:
“For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.” (Genesis 21:2)
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,” (Galatians 4:4)
Named Before Their Births By God
Isaac and Jesus both were given their names by God before they were ever born:
“And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” (Genesis 17:19)
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
Beloved By Their Fathers
Both Isaac and Jesus are said to have been loved by their Fathers:
“And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” (Genesis 22:2)
“For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.” (John 5:20)
This in itself might not seem very significant until we consider that no parent in the Bible is said to have “loved” their child before Genesis 22:2 tells us that Abraham loved Isaac. In fact, the word “love” does not even appear in the Bible at all before this verse. It is, therefore, noteworthy that we are told specifically of Abraham’s affection toward Isaac.
Tomorrow we will look at more of the parallels between the life of Isaac and the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.
To Jesus Christ goes all glory. In service to Him,
Loren
[This post was originally published February 15, 2010]
All Scripture quotations in this post are taken from the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible
[If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ or you are not certain where you are headed when this life ends, I invite you to read the article “Am I Going To Heaven?“]
Advertisements &b; &b;
