Topical Bible: Isaac: The Miraculous Son of Abraham: Offered in Sacrifice by his Father

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Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, holds a significant place in biblical history as the child of promise, born through divine intervention. His life and experiences are pivotal in the narrative of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Isaac's account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, where he is depicted as a figure of faith and obedience.

Birth and Early Life

Isaac's birth was a miraculous event, as his parents, Abraham and Sarah, were advanced in age and Sarah was barren. God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, and despite their old age, this promise was fulfilled through Isaac. Genesis 21:1-3 records this miraculous birth: "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him."

The Binding of Isaac

One of the most profound and challenging episodes in Isaac's life is the account of his near-sacrifice, often referred to as the "Binding of Isaac" or "Akedah." In Genesis 22, God tests Abraham's faith by commanding him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah. This event is a profound demonstration of faith and obedience, both on the part of Abraham and Isaac. Genesis 22:9-12 describes the moment: "When they arrived at the place God had designated, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, atop the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, 'Abraham, Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. 'Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,' said the angel, 'for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.'"

This event is often seen as a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, highlighting themes of faith, obedience, and divine provision. The substitution of a ram in place of Isaac (Genesis 22:13) underscores God's provision and mercy.

Marriage and Family

Isaac's life continued with his marriage to Rebekah, a union orchestrated by God through Abraham's servant. This marriage is detailed in Genesis 24, where Rebekah's willingness to leave her family and marry Isaac is seen as an act of faith. Isaac and Rebekah became the parents of Esau and Jacob, furthering the Abrahamic lineage and the unfolding of God's covenant promises.

Legacy and Significance

Isaac's life is marked by moments of divine intervention and covenantal significance. He is often remembered for his role in the continuation of God's promises to Abraham and his descendants. Isaac's experiences, particularly the binding on Mount Moriah, serve as enduring symbols of faith and obedience in the face of trials. His life and legacy are integral to the narrative of the patriarchs and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through history.

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Genesis 22:1-19
And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said to him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
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Hebrews 11:17
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
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James 2:21
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son on the altar?
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Library

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... may be exhausted, [744]ib.; after his Son slain, still ... how to treat them, [864]155;
Abraham a pattern of ... Isaac, his behavior before the sacrifice, [900]292; a ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declare their Divine ...
... Isaac was a type of Christ ... Moses became the adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter"so
that legally he ... but no father, thus typifying our Lord's miraculous birth of ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter six the typical significance.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... 46. Faustus' effrontery appears notably in his accusing Isaac also, the son
of Abraham of pretending that his wife Rebecca was his sister. ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

On the Baptism of Christ.
... Yes, and Isaac himself also, when he was ruling ... For the bastard and the supposititious
son, who belies ... was of saving efficacy, but to miraculous cures, real or ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the baptism of christ.htm

The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ...
... whose names were given before their birth: Isaac, Ishmael, Moses ... Miraculous it all
is, and professes to be; not indeed ... 733] The promise of a Virginborn son as a ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the annunciation of.htm

The Gospel Feast
... to think, as well as other things: His miraculous birth, His ... Cast out this bondwoman
and her son," she said ... that the spirit of prophecy came upon Isaac, and he ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xii the gospel feast.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... no doubt, to this and the other miraculous standing still ... very place where Abraham
offered up Isaac long ago ... David by a prophet, that here his son should build ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

The Temptation of Jesus
... Abraham, when about to offer up Isaac; of attempted ... as visibly the possessor of absolute
miraculous power, the ... other than that which the retiring Son of the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the temptation of.htm

On Turning the First Page of the Review which Follows...
... p.62.) Nay, Abraham's intended sacrifice of Isaac was an ... with which Abraham spared
to slay his son, is resolved ... 7:14 does not refer to the miraculous birth of ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/ii on turning the first.htm

The Pentateuch.
... have the history of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ... Shem one hundred years
before the birth of his son. ... Provision was made in a miraculous way for the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xix the pentateuch.htm