What was Isaac’s attitude towards his father Abraham, who had planned to obey God’s command to sacrifice his son?
A generational revival continued in Isaac. A son of promise, Isaac was born and circumcised. Generational revival often brings new tests of faith. Revival that lasted another generation involved belief in God’s promise that, “He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.” (Hebrews 11:19 ESV). Continued faithfulness in successive generations is not common, but Isaac maintained the faith of his father Abraham. In seeking a bride, he honored his father’s wishes (Genesis 24) and Rebekah became his wife. Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham beside Sarah and descendants of Isaac and Ishmael still attend his grave to this day, side-by-side in Hebron.
Isaac prayed to the God of Abraham, “Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.” (Genesis 25:21 NKJV) Was there going to be another generation? Faithful to His promises, God answered Isaac’s request.
One ancient source quotes Isaac asking his father to tie him up tight, lest he move in fright causing his father to cut a bone, and thus making an imperfect sacrifice. Son of a man of faith, Isaac too grew up to be a man of faith, making peace with enemy herdsmen of Gerar (Genesis 26:29-22). Obedient, like Jesus on the cross, Isaac’s life was joyfully revived when God told his father not to go through with it. To trust his father as Isaac did reveals an incredible bond. His greatest trial proved Abraham’s obedience, just as the trials of life test us and our faithfulness. Father and faithful son will be seen in the kingdom of God (Luke 13:28).
Rejoice, lovers of God, Isaac passed the test, and we will see him in that time of great revival in the kingdom of God.
