INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. Isaac a Type of Christ
Remarks.
1. In this lesson today, we will be discussing the theme: “Isaac a Type of Christ." This is the fourth lesson in the sermon-series entitled: "Re-digging in Old Wells." There will be many others bearing this title. We are re-digging in old wells, to receive what Isaiah promised: “With joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation,” Isaiah 12:3. There are times we must re-dig in old wells to obtain the joy found in the: "waters of salvation." This sermon type is called "topical preaching." In this lesson, our goal will be: "to dig a little deeper" in the text of emphasis. We will allow the writer, the characters in the verses, and the Master's words to shed new meaning to “His words of eternal life,” John 6:63; John 6:67-69.
2. We will investigate the topic: "Isaac a Type of Christ.” Just as Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, and was offered on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, three days later, He rose from the dead triumphant over death and the grave. In a similar sense, so was Isaac, Abraham’s son. We will re-dig in old wells to bring out this truth of God. Ulysses Shields, called this kind of teaching: “digging a little deeper,” in the word of truth. He was my grandfather in Christ. Jim H. Warren was my father in the Lord, and mentor as a gospel preacher. We will use as a foundational text for this sermon-series: "And Isaac re-dug the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham...for the Philistines had stopped them (closed them up) after Abraham’s death,” Genesis 26:18. The Philistines: “Stopped them, and filled them with earth,” because they envied Isaac’s possessions, Genesis 26:14-15.
3. Our text of emphasis reads like this: “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure,” Hebrews 11:17-19. We will consider how Isaac’s life, offering, and obedience, was a type of Christ. With God’s help, we will draw: “New water from old wells.” This is a follow-up lesson to my recent topic: “Justified by Faith Only?” That lesson emphasized Abraham’s faithful obedience, to Jehovah. This one examines Isaac’s faithful obedience, to his father, Abraham. You will notice the correlation immediately. With this brief introduction, let’s consider this topic carefully, with both our bibles and hearts opened unto the living God.
BODY OF LESSON
I ISAAC A TYPE OF CHRIST
A. Background scripture. Before we can get into the text of emphasis, we must do some background work to understand the word "type," and how we are using it in this lesson. Observe--
1. Adam, a type of Christ. Paul wrote: Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come,” Romans 5:14. Before moving forward, we must do a word study.
a. The word “type” in Gr., is typos or tü'-pos, which means, a model or instance:—en-(ex-) ample, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, or print. The NKJV translates the word "tupos" as “type.” The KJV translates this word as a “figure.” Each translation is a form of the Greek word “typos.”
b. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary catalogs: The word “type” is a person or thing (in the Old Testament) believed to foreshadow another (in the New Testament). A “type” then, is something that “foreshadows” the real thing. The type is not the “thing” but a representation of the “thing itself!”
c. In a doctrinal sense, therefore, a type, i.e., is a person or thing prefiguring a future (Messianic) person or thing. Adam was a type of Christ.
1) Where there is a "type," there is an “anti, or corresponding type,” Romans 5:14.
2) Where there is a “figure” there is also, a “like figure,” i.e., something in the Messianic times which is an answer to a type; said of baptism: the circumstances of the flood, the ark, and its occupants, formed a model, and baptism forms "a corresponding type,” alike figure, each setting forth the spiritual realities of the death, burial, and the resurrection of believers, into a union with Christ, Romans 6:3-7; Galatians 3:26-27.
3) The “ark” then, is a representation, or a “like figure,” of the spiritual act of “baptism,” 1 Peter 3:20-21. See Vine’s Expository Dictionary, page 856. We are digging a little deeper in the word of truth!
4) Do I have any help with this lesson? Is the Church with me?
d. The New Greek-English, Interlinear New Testament, translates the sentence and word “type” in this fashion: “On the likeness of the transgression of Adam who is a type of the one coming," Page 544. And that is Jesus Christ, the Messiah that has come and gone again, into the heavens.
e. Conclusion: Paul describes Adam as a type of Christ. In like manner, Isaac was a type of Christ. We could also surmise: Abraham was a type of the Father.
2. Mr. Baxter remarked: “Or ‘type (pattern, or resemblance, [tupos (tu/pon)]) of him who was to come,’ i.e., THE MESSIAH. It is indeed interesting to compare, on Scripture authority, Adam as the root of sin and death to all, with CHRIST, who is to...Christians the root of holiness and life.” See note in Blue Letter Bible on Romans 5:14, “tupos,”-- in Cross-References: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, listed under KJV Phrase: “who is the figure.”
3. B. W. Johnson wrote: “Hence, again, Adam is a representative man, a representative of (all races) a figure of him that was to come... (A) Type of Christ, likewise a representative of (all races). Through the one all have sinned; through the other, all are made righteous, as far as the sin in Adam is involved," Page 359.
We are now ready to consider our text of emphasis. Observe--
B. Text of emphasis. Paul wrote: “By faith Abraham when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure,” Hebrews 11:17-19. We have recently discussed Abraham's faith and obedience to God. I want to examine how Isaac's faith and obedience unto his father was also a type of Christ. Before going there, let’s quickly examine--
1. Paul’s discourse. In Paul's discussion, I will present an overview of Abraham’s offering of Isaac unto God. He wrote: “By faith Abraham when he was tested:”
a. “Offered up Isaac, whom he had received by promise.”
b. “Isaac was Abraham’s only begotten son.”
c. "Whom it was said: In Isaac, your seed shall be called."
d. “He concluded that God was able to raise him:"
1) “Even from the dead.”
2) “By which he had also received him in a figure,” Hebrews 11:17-19.
3) Do you see a “type” of Christ in this text?
2. Moses’ discussion. Let me also present a quick summary of Moses' review of Abraham’s offering of Isaac, his only son as a burnt offering. Observe--
a. Abraham’s faith and work were (working together) to perfect (complete) his faith, in the offering of Isaac unto God.
b. Moses wrote: “The angel of the Lord said unto Abraham:”
1) "For NOW, I know that you fear God.”
2) “Since you have not withheld your son.”
3) “Your ONLY son, from me,” Genesis 22:11-12.
4) “By Myself, I have sworn, says the LORD:”
5) “In your seed, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,” Genesis 22:17-18a.
6) “BECAUSE you have obeyed my voice,” Genesis 22:18b.
There is yet one more account, and that is from James’ Letter.
3. James’ account. Finally, I will present a summary of James's report of Abraham’s offering of Isaac unto God. He wrote: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works:”
a. “When he had offered Isaac, his son upon the altar?”
b. “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works (deeds of obedience) and by works was (his) faith made perfect?”
c. “And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”
d. “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only,” James 2:21-24.
4. Conclusion: So here we have it! Three separate accounts by inspired men, of Abraham's faithful obedience, who offered up Isaac, his only son unto God.
C. Isaac, an only son. Isaac was the son, the only begotten son, from Abraham’s wife, Sarah. Abraham, hope against hope, that Jehovah would fulfill His promise unto him. Abraham believed that there would be born unto him and Sarah a son from his loins, and her barren womb. Abraham was at this time about 100 years old; and, Sara upward of 90 years old. Abraham believed God was able!
1. Hope against hope. Paul wrote: “God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what was spoken: “So shall your descendants be And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb,” Romans 4:17-19.
a. First, “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised, He was also able to perform,” Romans 4:20-21; James 1:5-8.
b. Further, Abraham believed that he served a God that could and would give him and Sarah a son. He knew that God "gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they exist, because He is God,” Romans 4:17.
c. Finally, truly our God is able, Ephesians 3:20-21; Jude 1:24-25.
d. Conclusion: There is nothing: “too impossible for God,” Matthew 19:26. I know this terrible coronavirus, COVID-19 plagues us. Beloved of God, our Lord can deliver us. There is nothing too impossible for God. I have spoken to this virus in a lesson already. So I will not rehearse it.
NOTE: Obtain the lesson entitled: What Does God Require? You can download it from SermonCentral.com. Ron Freeman, Evangelist. He will also deliver us!
During the visit of the Angel of the Lord, at Abraham's tent, He promised Abraham and Sarah that during His next visit, she would have a son. Let's witness the promise of the Lord. Observe--
2. Angel’s announcement. Moses wrote: “And they said unto him: Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.”
a. First, the promise: “And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son.”
a. Further, the witness: “And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him (Abraham’s back).”
b. Finally, their condition: “Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women,” Genesis 18:9-11.
3. Sarah laughed. Moses continued: “Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying: After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham; wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?” Genesis 18:12-13.
4. Anything too hard? The angel asked of Abraham and Sarah: “Is there anything too hard for the LORD?” He continued--
a. First, “At the time appointed, I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
b. Second, “Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid.”
c. Last, “And he (the Lord) said: Nay, but thou didst laugh,” Genesis 18:14-15.
d. The Lord also hears the human heart, our whispers, and even things said in secret in a closet privately. Remember this, next time you would criticize the church leadership, or speak disrespectfully about your ministers. God will hear it, even if you just think it!
d. Conclusion: It is never wise to question the Lord, even within your own heart. We forget that He sees our expressions, and hear even the thoughts and intense of the heart, Hebrews 4:12-13. Sarah denied that she had laughed. She was partly right. She did not laugh out loud; but, she did laugh in her heart. Observe--
1) We may lie and deceive each other, but, to God, there are nothing hidden or secret thoughts unspoken, that has escaped His attention.
2) All secrets shall be revealed, and even things spoken in the ear in a closet will be proclaimed from the housetop, Luke 12:2-3.
3) Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account in the Day of Judgment, Matthew 12:38-39.
4) Every deed good or evil shall be brought before all in the judgment, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
5) Everyone shall appear before God in the judgment, 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Hebrews 9:27; Romans 14:12.
6) Jesus stood before Pilate in judgment. Then, Pilate will stand before Him!
NOTE: Illustrate, all liars shall have: “Their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone,” Revelations 21:8; Proverbs 6:16-19.
5. Sarah bares a son. Moses wrote: “And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.”
a. First, promise kept: “For Sarah, conceived, and bare Abraham, a son in his old age, at the set time God had spoken to him.”
b. Further, the child is named: “And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.”
c. Next, the child circumcised: “And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.”
d. Finally, Abraham’s age: “And Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born unto him. And Sarah said: God hath made me laugh so that all that hear will laugh with me. And she said: Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? I have born him a son in his old age,” Genesis 21:1-7; Romans 9:9.
e. Conclusion: Nothing is too impossible for God. Whatever your circumstance, know this: “there is nothing too hard for God,” Genesis 18:14; Matthew 19:26. He can fix your situation if you allow Him to do so! God has given all for you; and, He will provide all unto you if you believe and trust Him. Ask Abraham and Sarah if there is anything too impossible for God! Read their story of faith. Now let’s connect this to Jesus, the Only Begotten Son of God!
6. Christ the Only Begotten Son. John wrote: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth...For Moses gave the law, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ...No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him,” John 1:14-18.
a. The word existed in the beginning, John 1:1-3.
b. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, John 1:14.
c. The law was given to Moses, “but grace and truth came,” John 1:17.
d. No man hath seen God at any time, “except the only begotten Son,” John 1:18.
e. Jesus is Christ, the messiah, the Son of God, John 4:25-26; and John 4:41-42.
7. Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. This statement came from Peter after Jesus asked: "But who say you that I am?” In this confession of faith, Jesus makes His first pronouncement of the church. He answered and said to Peter: “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father in heaven. And I also say unto thee: That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven,” Matthew 16:17-19.
NOTE: We have addressed this text in a lesson already on SermonCentral.com. The Lesson is titled, The Church Christ Built. Download and read this lesson; it will help you understand Jesus' promise. So we will only highlight a few things today/tonight for this text. Observe—
a. First, “Upon this rock (confession of faith) that I am the Son of the Living God, for flesh and blood had not revealed this unto you. But the Father which is in heaven; He had revealed to Peter that Jesus is the “Son of the Living God.”
b. Further, “I will build my church.” The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; gives us a better interpretation of this sentence and promise, in Matthew 16:18a. It reads: “I will build of me the church,” Page 62.
1) From the side of Jesus, the church was bought, paid for, and built, with His precious blood, John 9:34; Acts 20:28.
2) These words provide a new meaning, in what Jesus was promising to do. Notice, he had not built it yet: “I will build.” This is a future tenths promise. I haven’t done it yet, but, “I’m going to.” Some denominations believe that Jesus built the church in Matthew 10:1-5. They allege He did so after he had called out and appointed the twelve apostles. But the Lord’s promise disputes this claim!
3) I will build of me the church. The Lord promises, “the church” would be “of Him.” No human being can make such a promise. Only the Lord can establish and sustain such hope. The church, when built, would be "of Him." All this happened in Acts 2. Notice--
a) The Lord added to the church daily those He saved, Acts 2:47.
b) Jesus is the savior of the body, Ephesians 5:23.
c) Salvation is in Christ, 2 Timothy 2:10; 2 Timothy 1:9-10.
4) Great men may have birth and grown their denominations. But none can say, as Jesus: "I will build of me the church.” The church of me: is the church of Christ, Romans 16:16. If one single denomination is the church; the Lord built more than what He promised. He said: “I will build of me the (ONLY) church.”
NOTE: The article “the” means “only” one, Ephesians 4:4-6. Observe—
a) The church is of Him. He would not only be the builder, but it would be a part of Him. It is: “bone of His bone, and flesh of His flesh,” Luke 24:39.
b) Adam said of his wife Eve: “She is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh,” Genesis 2:21-25. Eve was the wife of Adam.
c) Paul wrote of the church: "We are members of His body, of His flesh and His bones," Ephesians 5:30. We are built upon a foundation: “Of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone," Ephesians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 3:11. The church is the wife of Christ, Ephesians 5:31-33.
d) Peter wrote: “We as living stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ,” 1 Peter 2:5-6.
e) This was made possible by our being: “born again...by the word of God,” 1 Peter 1:22-23; John 3:1-5. This new birth puts us into the kingdom of God, the church of the Lord, Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:23.
NOTE: Review our lesson entitled: Is There Water in the Plan? Download it from SermonCentral.com. Ron Freeman, Evangelist.
c. Finally, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Again, The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; translates this sentence: “And the gates of hades will not overcome it,” Page 62. Matthew 16:18b.
1) Death and hell will not prevent my building: “the church of me;” and, nothing will “overcome it.”
2) It shall stand forever, Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:13-14; Luke 1:31-33.
d. Conclusion: Isaac was the son, the first begotten son of Abraham. Jesus is the ONLY begotten Son of God. Isaac was a type of Christ. Jesus is, in fact, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Now let's look at how Isaac was an offering unto God.
D. Isaac, an offered son. We will consider now how Isaac was an offered son, unto Jehovah. Abraham obeyed the voice of God, left his wife early in the morning. Although the text does not infer this, I know Abraham was questioning the will of the Lord. However, he would obey the voice of God that said: “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you,” Genesis 22:1-2. Observe--
1. Their arrival at the mount: “So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac, his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day, Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men:”
a. First, Stay here with the donkey: “The lad and I will go yonder and worship.”
b. Second, “And we will come back to you,” Genesis 22:3-5; Genesis 22:19.
c. Third, Abraham had faith that God could raise his son Isaac; if he took his life and offered him as a burnt offering.
d. Lastly, I know he had questions about why? Maybe he even wrestled with this during his entire journey to the mount of the offering. (Many years I waited for this lad, patient, and obedient unto my LORD. Now, for some unknown reason to me, He wants me to offer my son unto Him.) Consider--
1) Abraham believed, even hoping for some word from Jehovah. Yet, he is committed to obeying the voice of the Lord.
2) Right now, Abraham surely felt the anguish of another father in the New Testament. Who cried out to Jesus with tears: “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief,” Mark 9:24.
3) Read the complete account of Jesus’ miracle of casting out a dumb spirit, from a man’s son, Mark 9:17-29.
e. Conclusion: I speak of myself here, and not the text. I, too, am a father! Like many of you. I also have lost a son. Mine was at birth. And to this day, I weep for my loss. I do not blame God or my wife then. I just hurt internally, at every awaken moment, and thought of him. My baby boy, who I love! O’ God--
1) Like David, I too believe: “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast (weep)? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me,” 2 Samuel 12:23.
2) Like David, I too have moved on, but I cannot stop weeping. Tears will only cease when I see my son, when we meet in glory, with my precious Lord!
3) Until then, I will rely upon God’s comfort and peace during my moments of sorrow and grief, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; Philippians 4:6-7.
4) Many today due to their loss from this virus, are feeling the same pain. Be of good cheer; God can comfort you. I want to encourage you, as I have tried to do, and that is to focus on now, and not to let your loss keep you from moving forward in life! God will sustain both you and me.
a) You must find strength in the love and kindness that you remember about your loved ones. And for them, move forward in your life.
b) This is what they would tell you even now if it were possible. You know this is true, some of you have heard these loving words already.
c) I will pray for you that God gives you the strength to do just that!
With this assurance, let’s review Isaac's question again to his father. Observe--
2. Abraham and Isaac’s ascent: “So Abraham took the wood (for) the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac, his son, and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife and the two of them went together. But Isaac spoke to Abraham, his father, and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering,” Genesis 22:6-8. We are now at their ascent into the mount of the offering. Consider--
a. Isaac is carrying the firewood for the burnt offering.
b. Abraham has the fire and the knife (to kill the lamb for the offering).
c. Isaac asks his father: “where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
d. Abraham replies: “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.”
1) This was a Messianic promise of Christ’s offering Himself.
2) This He did on the “Old Rugged Cross,” at Calvary’s hill.
3) Like a lamb “without spot and blemish,” 1 Peter 1:18-20; John 1:29.
4) He is “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world,” Revelations 13:8.
e. And they both went up the hill together.
3. Isaac becomes the offering: “Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order:”
a. First, “He bound Isaac, his son.” The event on the mount is getting a little intense right about now. Observe--
1) Abraham tied Isaac up with rope to restrain him.
2) No doubt at this time: his heart is filled with fear, and eyes with tears.
3) He perhaps even comforted the lad. “It will be alright, son.”
b. Further, “He laid him on the altar, upon the wood.” What a scene! But here are a few things not in the script (text):
1) The lad’s is not resisting his father, nor trying to scoot off the altar.
2) Isaac is showing love and humility towards his father.
3) Isaac’s is an example of faithful obedience: as he lies motionless upon the altar.
4) Isaac’s is fully accepting his father’s will: knowing full well what was next!
5) He knows now, he is the “lamb for the offering.”
Moses continued:
c. Next, “And Abraham stretched out his hand: and took the knife to slay his son,” Genesis 22:9-10. No doubt, with great heaviness of heart, he stretched forth his hand, preparing himself for what was coming. Let me paint a word picture of what is happening right now on the mount of the offering. Listen, please!
1) He is moments away from taking Isaac’s life.
2) And offering him as a burnt offering.
3) Only heaven can save the lad now.
4) In Jehovah’s eyes: Isaac has already been sacrificed!
5) Jehovah must stop Abraham before, in fact: “this thing is done.”
6) Abraham, no doubt looks to heaven for the last time, for help.
7) He looks again into the lad’s face, his hand about to cover Isaac’s eyes.
8) And Abraham was summoned from heaven. STOP!
4. Isaac offered. Beloved, of the Lord, listen carefully to the remaining text. Listen to the words of the Lord. He accepts Abraham’s offering of Isaac, and he is raised again, this time in the mountain of the Lord. Observe--
a. Abraham summoned: “But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham...Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now, I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me,” Genesis 22:11-12. Hear Jehovah:
1) “For NOW, I know that you fear God.”
2) “Since you have not withheld your son.”
3) “Your ONLY son, from me.”
b. God acknowledges Abraham’s offering:
1) “You have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
2) You have, in fact: “offered him as a burnt offering,” Genesis 22:2.
3) As I had commanded thee, Genesis 22:2; Genesis 22:18.
c. Notice: All of Jehovah’s words unto Abraham regarding this offering are in past tenths (it has happened). These are the words of an accomplished fact; the deed was already done in faithful obedience unto the voice and command of Jehovah. Notice--
1) First, “Because you have done this thing,” Genesis 22:16.
NOTE: What had Jehovah asked Abraham to do? Offered Isaac as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains, that Jehovah had shown him,” Genesis 22:2.
2) Second, “You have not withheld your son,” Genesis 22:16; Hebrews 6:13-18.
3) Third, “Your ONLY son, from me,” Genesis 22:11-12; John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-11.
4) Fourth, “By Myself, I have sworn, says the LORD:”
5) Fifth, “In your seed (Christ), all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,” Genesis 22:18. The blessing begins with Isaac and will culminate in fulfilling a Messianic promise in Christ, Galatians 3:16. In this fashion, Isaac was a type of Christ. Why is all this possible? Hear the Lord.
6) Sixth, “BECAUSE you (Abraham) have obeyed my voice,” Genesis 22:18. Abraham had in God’s eyes, offered Isaac and his offering was accepted.
a) Recall: “God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they exist,” Romans 4:17; Acts 2:22-36.
b) Without a doubt, it would have been painful for Abraham to take the lad’s life. Therefore a vicarious sacrifice was provided for Isaac, the ram in the bush.
d. Conclusion: But what about Isaac? Was not his willingness to lay on the altar, faithful to his father, a part of this blessing? He was, in fact, the offering that constituted the blessing of Abraham. His obedient offering was a type of Christ. I wish I had some help with this lesson! Amen, brother Doors! You seem to be the only thing listening. Observe--
5. Isaac’s substitute: “Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place Jehovah-jireh, (The-LORD-Will-Provide); as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided,” Genesis 22:13-14.
a. Jehovah presented Abraham, a substitute for Isaac's offering.
b. A ram in the bush. So Abraham took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
c. Abraham called the place: The-LORD-Will-Provide.”
d. And they came down the hill together! Genesis 22:19.
e. I see in this offering and resurrection of the lad – like Christ himself: “who was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification,” Romans 4:25. Praised the Lord God Almighty!
f. Conclusion: Isaac rises again now off the altar; and, the ram dies in his stead. By these two acts, the “type” is fully completed: Christ dies in the place of all mankind and rises from the dead to give life to unto all that believe and obey Him. I wish I had some help in this lesson. Thank you, sister, Ceilings!
6. Christ, our substitute. Even the ram, caught in a bush was also a part of this entire plan for Abraham’s justification, and Isaac’s offering unto God. Moses even wrote it: “Abraham took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son,” Genesis 22:13b. Christ Jesus is our substitute. Isaiah wrote:
a. Jesus wounded and bruised: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:”
1) “The chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed,” Luke 4:16-19.
2) “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
3) “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.”
4) “He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep, before her shearers are dumb, so he openeth not his mouth,” Isaiah 53:5-7; John 1:29.
b. Jesus stood in our judgment: “He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation?” Isaiah 53:8a.
c. Jesus died in our place: “For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken (cut down),” Isaiah 53:8b; Matthew 1:21. He was delivered for our offenses, Romans 4:25a.
d. Jesus buried for our sins: “And he made his grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth,” Isaiah 53:9; 1 Peter 2:22-23.
1) Crucified between two thieves, Matthew 27:38.
2) Buried in a rich man’s tomb, Matthew 27:57-60.
3) Jesus said: “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head,” Luke 9:58; 2 Corinthians 8:9.
e. Jesus was raised for our justification: “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief:”
1) “Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin,” Ephesians 5:2.
2) “He shall see his seed.”
3) “He shall prolong his days, and the LORD's pleasure shall prosper in his hand,” Isaiah 53:10; Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 17:1-5.
4) “He was raised for our justification,” Romans 4:25b; Romans 5:1-2.
f. Jesus satisfied (paid) our debt: “He shall see the travail of his soul:”
1) “And shall be satisfied,” John 19:30-34.
2) “For by his knowledge shall my righteous servant, justify many,” 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.
3) “For he shall bear (bore) their iniquities,” Isaiah 53:11; 1 Peter 2:24.
4) Jesus is our propitiation (our offering for sins), Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:1-2.
g. Jesus made intercession for us: “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong:”
1) “Because he hath poured out his soul unto death.”
2) “He was numbered with the transgressors.”
3) “He bared the sin of many.”
4) “He made intercession for the transgressors,” Isaiah 53:12; Hebrews 1:3.
h. Conclusion: Christ was our substitute for an offering for our sins. He is our propitiation, our mercy seat for our sins, and the whole world. He took our place in judgment, in death, and became our justification in His resurrection from the dead. We are now justified freely by His grace, that we might be the “masterpiece of God; created in righteousness and true holiness,” Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 4:24. Now let's consider Isaac, an obedient son.
E. Isaac, an obedient son. We have been discussing his obedience unto his father, all through this lesson. However, we will highlight some of his acts of obedience towards his father. And then apply them unto Jesus to show how Isaac was a type of Christ in his obedience during the trial of Abraham's faith. Let’s review what we have discussed so far in the lesson. Recall--
1. Isaac was Abraham’s only begotten son. Jehovah said: “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love...and offer him as a sacrifice on the mountain that I will show thee,” Genesis 22:2. Does this sound familiar to you: “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son...shall have everlasting life,” John 3:16; Romans 5:8-11; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.
2. Isaac was an offering unto God. We have seen the faithful obedience of Abraham in this offering. But the discussion of the other characters in this event, have not been mentioned. Now I know we do not have scriptures for these comments; but, acts of human drama could reasonably be inferred. Consider—
a. Why did Abraham silently leave the camp early in the morning?
1) Maybe he did not want to awaken Sarah? Or, perhaps still, he could not explain why he and Isaac were going to offer a sacrifice, carrying the wood and fire, but not taking a lamb with them, for the burnt offering?
2) Think Sarah would have understood: “That God wanted Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt offering upon a mountain he would show him?” Genesis 22:1-2.
3) Think Abraham would have gotten out of the camp without taking Sarah?
4) Abraham must have cut the firewood very quietly, away from the tent.
b. Isaac questions his father. Recall: “He said, look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham’s response: “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering,” Genesis 22:6-8.
1) Do you think right about now: the lad has an idea of what is happening?
2) Was this Isaac’s first witness of a burnt offering, with his father? I think not!
3) Isaac had great faith and trust in his father? And also in God!
3. Isaac, an obedient son. Recall: “Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order: he bound Isaac, his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood,” Genesis 22:9-10. The event on the mount is getting extremely intense right about now. Recall these events?
1) Abraham tied Isaac up with rope to restrain him.
2) Here is what I see occurring in this event right now:
a) The lad is putting up no resistance to his father’s actions.
b) The lad is not trying to scoot off the altar of sacrifice.
c) Isaac is showing his love and trust in his father, during this trial of faith.
d) Isaac an example of faith and obedience: as he lies motionless upon the altar.
e) Isaac fully accepts his father’s will: knowing full well what was coming next!
3) Isaac is now convinced that he is the: “lamb for the burnt offering.”
4) What faith and devotion he displays unto both: Jehovah and his father.
5) He was a willing and obedient “offering unto the Lord.”
4. Isaac saved by Jehovah. God provided a ram for a substitute for Isaac's offering. We have discussed this fully in the last point so that we will move to a conclusion in this lesson. We will close out with Christ an obedient Son.
5. Christ an obedient Son. There is no better text which describes Christ's humbleness, obedience, and exaltation, than in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. We have already reviewed His unique Sonship to the Father; and His offering of to the world by the Father for the forgiveness of sins. Now we are looking at Christ's obedience unto His Father and our God. Paul wrote in one of his most profound portion of scriptures regarding the humility, obedience, and patience of Christ, not found anywhere else in the Holy Bible. He wrote in our--
a. Scripture of emphasis: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,” Philippians 2:5-11. I wanted to present the whole text before we began our study of it. We can see three things in this text that emphasizes the mind of Christ. They are: 1) the humility of Christ, 2) the obedience of Christ, and 3) the exaltation of Christ. As we move to a conclusion, let’s consider each of these briefly.
b. The humility of Christ. Paul wrote: “Who, being in the form of God:”
1) First, “Thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” He did not claim equality with the Father. He emptied himself of all His divine attributes as God. Not claiming rights or position of His divine nature. Paul penned: “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,” Colossians 2:9; John 5:18; John 10:30.
a) All that the Father is so is the Son.
b) He is the same in glory, honor, divinity, righteousness, holiness, and power.
c) When we see Jesus, we see the Father! John 14:9.
2) Further, “But made himself (as a person) of no reputation.” Isaiah wrote: “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? He shall grow up before him as a tender plant and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath neither form nor comeliness, and when we shall see him; there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not,” Isaiah 53:1-3; Mark 9:12; Acts 4:10-13.
3) Next, “Took upon him the form of a servant.” Isaiah wrote: “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities,” Isaiah 53:11; Matthew 20:28. Jesus took on Him all our sins and iniquities; and bore them upon the tree, 1 Peter 2:24.
4) Likewise, “And was made in the likeness of men,” John 1:14; Romans 1:3; Romans 8:3. Jesus was made of a woman, made under the law, Galatians 4:4-5.
5) Similarly, “And being found in fashion as a man,” Hebrews 2:14-17; Galatians 4:4. When you see Jesus, He has the appearance of a man. A carpenter’s son, Matthew 13:55-56; Luke 4:22.
6) Finally, “He humbled himself.” Luke penned: “In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth,” Acts 8:33. The evangelist Philip is interpreting Isaiah's prophecy of Christ's humility and death, Isaiah 53:8. As he preaches to the Ethiopian Treasurer: “on the road going down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert,” Acts 8:26-39.
NOTE: Illustrate Christ’s prayer in humble obedience, Matthew 26:39-42. Not as I will, but as thou wilt. Thy will be done. He prayed in “humble submission” to His Father. “He offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared (for His piety to God),” Hebrews 5:7; Luke 22:42-44. An angel strengthened Him.
c. The obedience of Christ. Paul wrote: “And (He) became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross,” Philippians 2:8. Observe--
1) David wrote: “For dogs have compassed me: the wicked assembly has enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture," Psalms 22:16-18; John 19:23; John 19:37; John 20:25-27.
2) Jesus said: “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to retake it. This commandment have I received of my Father,” John 10:18; John 12:32. Jesus spoke of His life that He laid it down willingly; no man took it, and he would also raise it.
3) Paul wrote of Christ’s obedience:
a) He endured the cross: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses...run with patience...Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God,” Hebrews 12:1-3.
b) He learned obedience: “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him,” Hebrews 5:7-9; Titus 3:4-7.
d. The exaltation of Christ. Paul wrote: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,” Philippians 2:9-11. Observe—
1) “God hath highly exalted Him:”
a) “Giving Him a name above every name,” Ephesians 1:19-23; Acts 4:12.
b) “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow:”
i. One, “Of things in heaven,” Ephesians 1:10-14.
ii. Two, “Of things in earth,” John 3:31
iii. Three, “Of things under the earth.”
c) “And that every tongue should confess that:”
i. “Jesus Christ is Lord,” Romans 10:9-10.
ii. “To the glory of God the Father,” John 5:22-23.
2) David wrote: “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel,” Psalms 2:6-9; Acts 1:8; Acts 13:32-33.
3) Isaiah wrote: “Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high,” Isaiah 52:13; Matthew 28:18.
e. Conclusion: Jesus demonstrated his obedience to His Father. He emptied Himself (set aside) all of His divine nature. He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And finally, He waited for His heavenly Father to exalt Him; far above all principalities, and powers, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all," Ephesians 1:20-23. In this fashion, Isaac was a type of Christ. He was humble, obedient, and given the blessing of God, like his father, Abraham. I trust I have helped bring this truth to light, and the lesson was edifying to all of you wonderful people. Thanks so very much for your patience. As I close this lesson, let me review quickly what we discussed...
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. Isaac, a Type of Christ?
B. Summarize main points.
1. We investigated the topic: "Isaac a Type of Christ." Just as Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, and was offered on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, and three days later, rose from the dead triumphant over death and the grave. In a similar sense, so was Isaac, Abraham's son. We used as a foundational text for this sermon-series: "And Isaac re-dug the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham...for the Philistines had stopped them (closed them up) after Abraham’s death,” Genesis 26:18. The Philistines: “Stopped them, and filled them with earth,” because they envied Isaac’s possessions, Genesis 26:14-15.
2. Our text of emphasis was this: “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure,” Hebrews 11:17-19. We considered how Isaac's life, offering, and obedience, was a type of Christ. With God’s help, we drew: “New water from old wells.” If you are not a Christian, let me tell you how to obey the gospel of Christ.
C. Invitation. Present the pattern of conversion, H.B.R.C.B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
References:
1. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary copyright © 2015 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated; Springfield, Massachusetts, 01105.
2. Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus copyright © 2015 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated; Springfield, Massachusetts, 01105.
3. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; United Bible Societies,’ Fourth, Corrected Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, 1990.
4. Textus Receptus, taken from the Greek Text of Stephens 1550, The Englishman’s Greek New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, First Zondervan Printing, 1970.
5. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
6. Smith's Bible Dictionary, William Smith, Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Printing 1884.
7. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine, Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, NJ, Copyright, 1981.
