Stories of the Saints Digging Deeper Isaac
Introduction
Isaac is somewhat of a transitional figure in the story of how the nation of Israel developed. In between Abraham, the father of the nation, and Jacob (Israel), whose sons became the twelve tribes of Israel, stands Isaac. Yet though his face time in Scripture is more limited than Abraham or Jacob, he still stands as a central figure in the identity of Gods people. Multiple times in Scripture, God either is referred to, or describes himself as, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 1 So how is Isaac a typology of Jesus? Dig into some key elements and descriptions in Genesis 22: God calls Abraham to take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love What are the well-known words of John 3:16 how do they describe who Jesus is? Also consider the words of God the Father at Jesus baptism (Matt 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-12) and transfiguration (Matt 17). How long was Abraham and Isaacs journey to the mountain? Gen 22:12 records that Abraham was about to allow his son to be sacrificed but God stopped him. This is an obvious parallel to the Son of God, who was actually sacrificed. But also notice the association the writer of Hebrews makes in Hebrews 11:17-19! With that understanding, how much stronger is Isaacs story as typology!
Isaac and Typology
Though Isaacs appearances in Scripture are limited in comparison to Abraham and Jacob, there are still significant events in His life that show the power and grace of God. One of the most significant is when God called Abraham to sacrifice Isaac (Gen. 22:1-19). Though the focus of much of that story is on Abraham, there is much meaning in the person of Isaac here too. The church word for Isaacs role in this that he is a typology of Jesus Christ. Typology is an important concept in the Old Testament, since it points to Jesus as the true central character in the story of Scripture, and of history in general. Typology is what it suggests that certain people are types of the coming Messiah. They are not the true Messiah, but they point to Him by way of an event or characteristic in their lives. Melchizedek, in his uncommon role as both priest and king (and one could argue, prophet), also is (at minimum) a typology of Jesus (Gen 14:17-20). Typology ultimately helps us understand more about how Jesus actually fulfilled the promises that God made to his Old Testament people.
Typology for us Today
We are now no longer looking forward to Jesus, but looking back on Him as the Promised One who has already come. So in a strict sense, there is no more typology as foreshadowing of Jesus. But we who are Christians are also in a sense types of Christ, in that we are now (as Martin Luther described us (little Christs in that we act as Jesus does to each other and to the world around us. It is His Spirit that lives in us, and it is Jesus who is our common bond. Especially as we forgive one anothers sins because Christ first forgave us, we are acting as little Christs to one another.
The Role and Power of Blessing
In Isaac we also see the concept of blessing continued from Abraham. The blessings to Isaacs sons, Esau and Jacob (Gen. 27) are an important glimpse into the role and power of blessing among Gods people. Take some time this week to look into the concept of blessing in Scripture, and talk with those around you about the implications that has for us today as Gods people. Also note how we close worship services.
Examples are Gen 50:24, Exodus 3:6,15,16, 4:5, Deuteronomy 30:20, Matt 22:32, Luke 13:28, Acts 3:13
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