TEXT:"And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I."- Genesis 27:1

Understanding the lives of the people featured in the Bible can help Christians understand God's plan for their own lives and the world. Some of them led exciting lives as kings, traveling hundreds of miles and exploring other cultures, or performing miracles to bring glory to God. Others lived much quieter lives, with only one or two moments that shine with God's presence compared to others.

One of the great patriarchs of Israel was Isaac, the father of Jacob. The Book of Genesis details the entire life of Isaac. Isaac means "laughter". In Genesis 21:6-7 Sarah ascribes the reason for giving this name as the happiness which God brought to her (and everyone else) by giving them a son. Isaac was the eleventh generation from Noah. He was descended from Shem. His grandfather was Terah, and his father Abraham. He had one older half-brother, Ismael,and eventually several other younger half-brothers when Abraham married Keturah and had other sons, after Sarah's death.

"Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah." (Genesis 25:1-2).

Isaac's birth is probably the second most amazing in the Bible, and perhaps in the history of the world (second to the virgin birth). In Genesis 21:1-7 His mother Sarah was 90 years old and Abraham, his father, was 100 when he was born. His birth was the fulfillment of a promise God had made to Abraham, showing that if we wait for God in faith, He will always keep His promises to us. Nothing is too difficult for Him to do.

Isaac inherited his father's wealth. And it kept growing. He was one of the post-flood committed followers of the one true God. Isaac is a type of Jesus Christ.

"By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son," (Hebrews 11:17).

Abraham received him back as from the dead as a type of Christ's future resurrection. He and Jesus were both only sons and sons of promise. They were both descended from Abraham. They were both obedient to their father's will, even to the point of being willing to die. They were both delivered up by the power of God.

Isaac and Rebekah both made the same mistake of showing favouritism to their children. Isaac liked Esau better. Rebekah liked Jacob better. Isaac also followed his father's example of claiming his wife was his sister for the purpose of trying to save his own life. The saying "like father like son" is very often true. This ought not to be. For all the current or potential husbands here, we must never do this. As leaders of your family, you should be the one taking the risk and danger, not your wife. Put your own neck/reputation/safety on line, not hers.

In Genesis 22, Isaac, as a child, was part of Abraham's greatest test. God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac and Abraham was obedient. At no point in the story does Isaac run away or throw a temper tantrum. He obeys his father and even helps carry the wood for the sacrifice. He probably didn't know he would be sacrificed until they arrived and his father tied him up. But even at that point, we don't see any resistance. He likely trusted his father so implicitly that he knew everything would be Ok.

In Genesis 24:62-67. Isaac, unlike Esau, was willing to wait for God's will in marriage. He didn't take things into his hands. He surely knew of Abraham's plan of providing a wife for him and obeyed it implicitly. He submitted to his father's plan, because he trusted his father. Rebekah was not a perfect woman, and no woman is, but we see a good character, a servant's heart, faith in God, and submissive attitude in Genesis 24.

In Genesis 26- Isaac continued in faith towards God even after Abraham died. God appeared to him and gave him commands and Isaac obeyed, demonstrating his faith. Throughout chapter 26 we see Isaac's faith in God is very real and personal. He built altars for God. He talked with God on more than one occasion. When things went well he gave God the glory. It is easy to focus on Isaac's weakness, but we should remember that all people are sinners. We are too! Imagine yourself in Isaac's place. Imagine living at a time when there are virtually no followers of God anywhere in the world. He is the leader of the only group which he knows about following God. He is surrounded by idol worship, pagan practices, false deities, and evil. There is no church or fellowship to attend for encouragement. There is no Bible with a clear guide on what you should or shouldn't do. Isaac faced all of these challenges, but still followed God (albeit with some mistakes) until he died.

Furthermore, in one occasion, the Philistines provoked Isaac's men. They treated them unfairly. After Isaac dug out a well, they moved in and claimed it as their own. Instead of pridefully fighting or demanding that his rights be restored, Isaac wisely saw a simpler and more peaceful course. That is, he just moved away and dug out another well. This happened twice and both times he let it go. This demonstrates a lot of wisdom and humility. Many of the important events in Isaac's life were things that happened to him, rather than things he initiated. This fits in with what we see of Isaac in that he was a bit passive. Isaac lived to be 180 years and he died.

"And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years. And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him." (Genesis 35:28-29).

Although, Isaac made mistakes, we can learn from him that God works miracles and that God can still move within our weaknesses to form something beautiful. Isaac was not a perfect man, and no man is. His sons caused him a great deal of stress and anguish, and he played favouritism when it was not appropriate. Onced he even claimed his wife was his sister because he was afraid people would kill him, wavering in his faith. However, God forgave him, and kept His word, blessing Isaac with love, protection, and a great nation that descended from him.

Believers today can take comfort in the knowledge that God is always ready to forgive. Isaac had great faith, he got back up when he stumbled, and trusted in God's promises. Every Christian can look at Isaac as an example of a simple man whose life was important because of how God used him. Shalom!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Pastor K. C. Akano,
Love Kingdom Assembly (LKA),
Umudurunneke Umuorlu-Isu,
Nwangele LGA,
Imo State,
Nigeria.
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