1

The Life of Isaac (2)

Laindon - 11th & 18th January

qj*x=y

Life of Isaac 2

Our plan of study

• Introduction• Where Isaac dwelt• His family and contemporaries• The main events in his life• God’s promises• Types and shadows• Isaac in the NT & his relationship with us

Life of Isaac 3

Isaac in the scriptures

1. Isaac is promised

(Genesis 17)

2. Isaac is separated from

Ishmael (Genesis 21)

3. Abraham offers his son

Isaac (Genesis 22)

4. A wife is chosen for

Isaac (Genesis 24)

5. Isaac takes Rebekah &

Abraham dies (Genesis 25)

6. Isaac dwells in Gerar

(Genesis 26)

7. Isaac blesses Jacob before

Esau (Genesis 27-8)

8. Isaac dies in Hebron

(Genesis 35)

Life of Isaac 4

He takes Rebekah & Abraham dies (Genesis 25)

• Isaac, aged 40, takes Rebekah to wife (‘he loved her’) and is comforted regarding the loss of his mother (Genesis 24:61-67)

• Rebekah is barren for 20 years (:21)• Isaac intreats God and Rebekah bears twins (:21)• Rebekah is told by the Lord that she bears two

nations in her womb (:22-23)• She gives birth to Esau and Jacob (:24-28)• Abraham dies 15 years later aged 175 (:8-9)

Life of Isaac 5

He dwells in Gerar (Genesis 26)

• There is a famine, Isaac moves to Gerar and God confirms his promise (:1-5)

• Isaac tells the Philistines that Rebekah is his sister (:7)

• Abimelech sees through the deception (:8-11)• Isaac prospers greatly, moves away from

Abimelech and unstops the wells (:12-22)• Abimelech makes a covenant with him and Isaac

settles in Beersheba (:23-33)

Life of Isaac 6

He blesses Jacob before Esau (Genesis 27-28)

• Isaac, aged circa 120-130, fears he is close to death and resolves to bless Esau (27:1-4)

• Isaac although he intended to bless Esau blesses Jacob (27:5-29)

• The deception is exposed but Isaac says that Jacob “shall be blessed” (27:30-40)

• Isaac blesses Jacob again and sends him to Padanaram to find a wife (28:1-7)

Life of Isaac 7

He dies in Hebron (Genesis 35)

• Jacob returns aged circa 80 with his wives, Leah and Rachel (Genesis 33)

• He finally settles in Hebron with his father Isaac

• Isaac dies at the age of 180 years and Esau and Jacob bury him (:27-29)

Life of Isaac 8

God’s promises to Isaac• Given by an oath (Deuteronomy 1:8 &

Hebrews 6:13-20)• Given to Isaac and his seed (Genesis 17:19 &

Hebrews 11:17-19)• We, like Isaac, are children of promise

(Galatians 4:28-31)• We, if faithful, are Isaac’s seed (Romans 9:7-9)• Promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (cf

Leviticus 26:42)

Life of Isaac 9

Ishmael & Isaac as types

• The two seeds or classes of mankind• Ishmael represents natural Israel, glorying in

their fleshly descent from Abraham (John 8:31-59)

• Isaac represents those of Israel and the Gentiles who disregard the flesh (John 6:63) and put their trust in God’s promises (Hebrews 11:13)

• Ishmael mocked and persecuted Isaac (Galatians 4:29)

Life of Isaac 10

Isaac as a type of Christ• The child of promise• Born contrary to nature• The fulfilment of the promise delayed (25:4000)

• Announced by an angel of God• Described as the “only son”• Offered up by God’s command/will• Obedient, even yielding willingly to death• Place of sacrifice Mt Moriah/Zion• Rose after three days

Life of Isaac 11

Most mentioned names in NT

Life of Isaac 12

Isaac in the NT & our relationship with him

• Yahweh is the God of Isaac (Acts 3:13 & 7:32), the God of the living (Mark 12:26-27)

• Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Matthew 8:11 etc)• Isaac’s seed/children of the promise (Romans

9:6-13 & Galatians 4:28)• An example of faith (Hebrews 11:8-20)• Faith proved by works (James 2:21-26)