Genesis: Abraham and Isaac

Abraham and Isaac

Text: Genesis 17 – 25

Outline:

A. 17-18, Announcement of his birth.

B. 20-21, Birth of Isaac and an immediate attack.

C. 22, Certainty of God's promise.

D. 23-24, Delegation Abraham sends to find a wife for Isaac.

E. 25, End of Abraham's life.

Comments: The story of Isaac begins even before his birth. The LORD comes twice to Abraham (Genesis 17 and 18), telling him that he will have the son of the covenant (Genesis 21:12). Note that news about birth of Isaac is given in the context of Abraham's circumcision. Circumcision for Abraham, as the sacrament of the Holy Baptism for us, marks a new beginning. In Abraham's new beginning there is a son (being fruitful), and building of covenant relationship with the neighbors (glorification, Genesis 21:22-33).

A. Announcement of Isaac's birth. The LORD tells him that the age is not a restriction for the Living one. Hebrews 11:11-12 talk about this as an act of faith on the part of Sarah. She had to believe that God is faithful before she engaged in an act of intimacy, being 90 years old and with 100 years old man. She is a true hero in this story – not Abraham, because he decided not to pass this information to her. So. Being caught by surprise during the second visitation, she laughed,thus confirming the name of the son – Isaac, meaning laughter (Genesis 17:15-17, 19; 18:9-15).

B. 21, Birth of Isaac and an immediate attack. First, Satan tries to prevent the consumption by Abraham. He wants to make sure that the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15) is HIS seed, not the seed of the promise. Abimelech is an interesting name – My Father is King. It is possible that this man was not a king himself, being a crown-prince. Or he was a king, understanding that his authority comes from the King of heaven – some kind of local chief deity. No matter what, he takes a 90 years old lady into his harem – just think about her stature and beauty... Then God appears: you are a dead man... (Genesis 20:3) sounds like a pulp fiction. The story is similar to the incident in Egypt. As a result, Abraham gains more sheep, oxen, servants, and leaves in peace (Genesis 20:14-16).

Then Isaac is born. Bible doesn't tell anything fancy about it. Simple statement that he was circumcised on the 8^th day – looks like he is the first one who really carries out the covenant responsibility. Being breastfed, he grow in statue. At the certain age, he was weaned. A great feast is prepared, but an immediate attack disturbs the joy of the celebration. Sarah sees Ishmael “laughing at” or “playing with” her son. The verb here might mean a laughter, or mockery, or [even] sexual playfulness (Gen. 26:8; 39:14,17; Exodus 32:6). Whatever it was, Sarah considered it to be an inappropriate behavior. Hagar and her son are to go. But God protects them for the sake of the promise He made to Abraham, making a great nation out Ishmael (Genesis 21:13).

C. 22, Certainty of God's promise. This is one of the most difficult chapters in the Book of Genesis. How could the God of Life – Living One – require a human sacrifice? But the point is not to judge God's test, but to see the certainty of His promise and the faith Abraham has in God – when they arrive to the foothill of the mountain, Abraham says to the servants: stay here with the donkey; I wand the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you (Genesis 22:5). Letter to Hebrews comments on this in an interesting way: Abraham thought that God is able to raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19). This faithfulness is blessed with two promises – (1) the offspring will be a great as the stars and as numerous as the sand on a seashore; (2) the offspring will possess the gates of their enemies (Judges 16:3; Matthew 16:18).

D. 24, Delegation Abraham sends to find a wife for Isaac. After Sarah's death (Genesis 23) Abraham sends a servant to his relatives. It is worthy to note that the news from the relatives comes to Abraham right after the testing (Genesis 22:20-24). Ten camels were provided for this trip. The trip took a few days for the distance is about 450 to 500 miles. No wonder, the servant comes and asks for a miracle – a local girl being willing to feed his camels. As an answer to the prayer here comes Rebekah, beautiful young girl. When she identifies as the daughter of Bethuel, who was introduced in chapter 22, the servant praises the LORD (Genesis 24:27). After a relatively short negotiations with her brother Laban, she immediately agrees to go with the servant (Genesis 24:54-58). When she arrives, Isaac takes her as his wife, and finds comfort after the death of his mother (Genesis 24:67).

E. 25, End of Abraham's life. After the death of his wife Abraham takes another woman – Keturah. And she bore him 6 more boys (Genesis 25:1-6). Just to note, Abraham was 137 when he buried Sarah. In the rest of his 38 years, he enjoyed the raising these men. Before his death he gave them gifts, and sent them away to secure the place for Isaac – son of the promise. He died 175 years old. What is valid to observe is the fact that Isaac and Ishmael bury Abraham together (Genesis 25:7-10).