Isaac’s Vision of Faith
Heb. 11:20
Introduction
Isaac’s name is mentioned only in one verse just like Abel, Enoch, and Noah. It is commonly said that Isaac is a type of Christ. He was a promised son contrary to the laws of nature (Gen. 17:15-17). Jesus Christ was a promised son to be born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14). Isaac was named before he was born (Gen. 17:21). Jesus was named before He was born. (Mat. 1:18-25). Isaac was submissive to the will of his father even unto death (Gen. 22:9-10). Jesus was submissive to the will of the Father. (Phil. 2:5-8). We have just looked at the faith of Abraham his father, and Sarah, his mother. Now it’s time we look at the faith Isaac the son. To do this we must also see Genesis 27: 1- 33 for it is in connection with Isaac’s faith in blessing his sons Jacob and Esau in regards to their future.
I. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
A. As have been said in Heb. 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. His faith operates on the realms of things not seen yet. I don’t think that Isaac sees a vision. For me, he sees the invisible. He sees the future that the Lord will fulfil what He promised his father Abraham. Isaac said “Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee: and blessed be he that blesseth thee” (Gen. 27:28, 29). It embodies the truth that “In him, his seed, (through Christ) all the families of the earth were to be blessed” (Gen. 12: 1-3, 7. 13:14-18; 15, Gal. 3:16).
B. Isaac during that time is already very old (Gen. 27). According to generally accepted calculation Isaac was 137 years old when he gave the blessings to his sons. Jacob and his twin brother Esau were both 77 years old. Isaac died at the age of 180 (Gen. 35: 27-29). He lived 43 more years after pronouncing the blessings to his sons. He made known his last will in advance.
C. The world says “to see is to believe”, for Christians, “believe first and you will see”. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has revealed “things to come” written in the Bible. The rapture which can happen anytime (1 Cor. 15:51-52), the resurrection (1 Thess. 4:13-17), the mansions in heaven (Jn. 14:1-3), the new Jerusalem, (Rev. 21:2) etc. The natural man doesn’t accept this for them its foolishness. (1 Cor. 2:14). But for the true Christians or true believers, they believe everything that was revealed in the Bible. They have the vision of faith. Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible. Also, Faith is to believe what we do not see; and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.
Illustration/Application: What Columbus’ Men Saw
Four hundred years ago, three small sailing vessels crossed the Atlantic to see whether there was any land on this side. The sailor grew discontented at the delay and uncertainty, and murmured against their commander, Columbus. They considered him out of his mind and thought he ought to be placed in irons and the ship turned back again. But one day, they discovered something floating on the surface of the water which proved to be seaweed. Seaweed? Where there is seaweed there must be rocks, and where there are rocks there must be land.
The fears of the sailors were quiet for a while. Then the men began to argue that there might be land beyond, but no intelligent beings on it. The next day a piece of wood floated by, and hauling it aboard they found that it had been cut by a sharp instrument and hewed into shape. Then there must be intelligent beings on the land.
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. (Heb. 11:1)
Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations: Signs of the Times.
II. His submissive faith
A. His submissive faith was shown when He and his father went to Mount Moriah. The Word of God did not tell us how old Isaac is during that time. The fact that he was able to climb and carry the wood in his back, tells us that he is already a young man. According to Josephus, he was 25 years of age. He can easily run and avoid being bound and laid on the altar upon the wood (Gen. 22:9) but he did not. He willingly allowed his father to prepare him as a sacrifice. He is ready and willing to die so that Abraham his father can obey God’s command. That’s genuine faith, a true submissive faith. Isaac is an example of a good child who obeys and follows his parents. The Word of God gave us a list of good children like, Samuel, Joseph, Timothy, etc., and of course our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Children must submit and obey their parents for all parents always wants the best for their children.
III. His tested faith
A. At a young age, his faith was tested in Mount Moriah as we have just seen when his father Abraham wants to offer him as a sacrifice. We can say that in every turning point of his life, his faith was tested. His faith was also tested when he met Rebekah. What if Rebekah is not according to his taste or standard? What if Rebekah if she sees him would change her mind, and wouldn’t want to be his wife? The last test is before the end of his life when he blessed his sons. We Christians will experience many tests of faith in this life. A severe trial is sometimes called an “acid test.” this term originated during times when gold was widely circulated. Nitric acid was applied to an object of gold to see if it was genuine or not. If it was fake, the acid will melt it; if it was genuine, the gold will not be affected.
B. In God’s view, our faith is “much more precious than gold,” and it too must be tested (1 Pet. 1:7). But these “acid tests” are positive ones. The Lord is working to reveal genuine faith, and to expose false faith. Till the end of our life, our faith will always be tested.
Illustration/Application: Legend of a King and a Heavy Stone
There are certain lessons of grace that can be learned only in the valley of pain and distress. Show me a Christian who has suffered much and deepened his dependence on God, and I will show you a sensitive soul full of compassion for others, and with a deep love for his Savior.
According to a legend, a king once placed a heavy stone in the roadway. Then he hid and waited to see who would remove it. Many who came by loudly blamed the government for not keeping the highways clear, but none assumed the duty of pushing the obstacle out of the way. At last, a poor peasant stopped and rolled it into the gutter. To his surprise he found a bag full of gold embedded in the road beneath the spot where the rock had been. A note said it was the king’s reward for anyone who removed the troublesome object.
Our Daily Bread, April 9, 1998
IV. His strong faith
A. Without faith it is possible to please Him. Isaac’s life is marked with failure also. Just like his father, he lied about his wife, that she was his sister, through fear of Abimelech’s people at Gerar, (Gen. 26). He showed favoritism to his sons. God told him that the older son will serve the younger but he never listened. (Gen. 25:23; 28:1-5). Yet, his name is still listed in the Heroes of Faith. The reason is, despite of his failures, he still believed God. His faith never faltered, he remained steadfast. Failure never glorifies God but faith can still remain and you can still have faith in the midst of failure.
B. The Scripture gives evidence of his submission (Gen. 22:6,9), meditation (Gen. 24:63), trust in God (Gen. 22:6,9), devotion (Gen. 24:67), peaceful nature (Gen. 26:20-22), and his life of prayer and faith (Gen. 26:25; Heb. 11:11-17).
V. Spiritual Lessons
A. Obedience and submission to parents brings blessing from the Lord. (Gen. 22:9-18).
B. Children repeat the sins and mistakes of their parents (Gen. 12:13; 20:2; 26:6-7; Num. 14:18).
C. Parents should avoid favoritism. (Gen. 27:1-38).
VI. Conclusion:
Isaac by faith blessed his sons concerning things to come. By faith he sees the future and trusted God that He will do as he promised. Though Isaac has committed mistakes also just like his father Abraham, he remained faithful to the Lord. His faith pleased God and his name is written in the Bible’s Hall of Faith. How is your faith my friend?
