Isaac and Jesus

Isaac and Jesus were both sons of a promise that was given many years before their birth.

Isaac and Jesus were both born to women who could not have conceived apart from a miracle.

Isaac and Jesus were both firstborn sons.

Isaac and Jesus were both greatly loved by their father/Father.

Isaac carried his own wood to the sacrifice just as Jesus carried His own wooden cross to His crucifixion.

Isaac and Jesus each willingly laid down their lives to their father/Father.

Isaac and Jesus were both laid down as a burnt offering for sin.

Isaac was brought back from the dead figuratively and Jesus was brought back from the dead literally.

According to Hebrews 11:17-19 Abraham's faith was so great that, "By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death."

After having walked with God for many years and seeing God provide in very difficult situations Abraham had apparently learned to trust God no matter what. And, his faith in God was so resolute that he believed that even if he killed his son that God who gave him the son through a miracle could give him back through yet another miracle. After all, Abraham had also lost his wife on two occasions only to see God bring her back to him and Abraham believed that God would do the same with Isaac.

Lastly, and I admit this is speculation, I believe that perhaps God brought this test not to discover what was in Abraham's heart, as God would have already known that. But, God may have waited for this test until his son Isaac was a young man so that Isaac could see that Abraham loved God more than even his own son whom he dearly loved, and trusted God with that which was most dear to him so that Isaac could see this event, experience the depth of his father's faith, and love and trust God as his father did.

- Mark Driscoll, Genesis: Meditations on Moses' Mosaic

Link: Abraham and Isaac (28 Aug 10)