Personalities of the Old Testament #9 - Isaac "A Type of Jesus"

 In Today’s Bible Study, I want to look at Isaac, the son of Abraham.  Isaac is the “Son of the Promise.”  He’s the one that God said:

Romans 9:7 NKJV

nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "IN ISAAC YOUR SEED SHALL BE CALLED."

It’s through Isaac that all of God’s promises to Abraham would begin:

1)      I will make you a great nation (Gen 12:2)

2)      I will bless you and make your name great (Gen 12:2)

3)      I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you (Gen 12:3)

4)      In you all the families of the earth will be blessed (Gen 12:3)

5)      To your descendant I will give this land (Gen 12:7)

Here, though is what I want to look at.  We already looked at this through Abraham’s faith but now I want to look at it with regard to Isaac.  In Old Testament there are a number of people that are considered to be a “TYPE” of Jesus.  This is a person that foreshadows some aspect of Jesus.  For example:

·       Adam is a type of Christ because both were representatives of humanity, but while Adam brought sin, Jesus brought salvation.

• The Passover Lamb is a type of Christ, as its blood saved Israel from death, just as Jesus’ sacrifice brings eternal life.
• Jonah spending three days in the belly of the fish foreshadows Jesus’ three days in the tomb before His resurrection.

Those things, “which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Col 2:17)

As we look at Isaac, we can see that in one experience in his life, he is a type of Jesus.  That’s what I want to look at today!  So, let’s begin with the story of God’s call and we will work from there:

Genesis 22:2 NKJV

Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

I want you to see the ways in which Isaac is a type of Jesus so as we go through the story we will break it down.

Only Begotten Son

God told Abraham, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." 

Isaac was Abraham’s only son, just like Jesus was the “only begotten Son of God.”

John 3:16 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

This is the first way in which Isaac is a type of Jesus.  Both were only begotten sons that were to be sacrificed.  Now look at this:

Genesis 22:3-6 NKJV

So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you." So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together.

Carrying the Wood

Abraham gave Isaac the wood for the burnt offering.  Isaac carried it up the mountain to the place where the altar was built.

Jesus carried His cross to Golgotha (Calvary):

John 19:16-17 NKJV

Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away. And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha,

So, both Jesus and Isaac carried the methods of their execution upon themselves.

The Promised Son

Abraham was seventy-five years old when God called him out of Haran.  It was then that God promised him descendants:

Genesis 12:1-3NKJV

Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

The inference of this statement is that Abraham’s descendants would become a great nation.  But Abraham was childless and his wife was barren.  So, in a sense God was promising him a son to carry on his lineage.  Then there was this:

Genesis 15:3-4 NKJV

Then Abram said, "Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed, one born in my house is my heir!" And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir."

God tells him, “…but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir."  This is a definite promise of a son.  God is making a promise of a son.

There was another son whom was promised by God.  Here’s God speaking through Isaiah:

Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Abraham waited twenty-five years for the son of God’s promise.  This prophecy by Isaiah was made approximately seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth.  So Jesus is also a promised Son.

A Sacrificial Offering

Genesis 22:2 NKJV

Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

God has called Abraham to “offer him there as a burnt offering.” This is a call to offer his son as a sacrifice.  Abraham in his obedience gave his only “begotten” son.  Although Ishmael was his son, also, Isaac was his only legitimate son.

God also gave His Only begotten Son:

John 3:16 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Hebrews 9:28 NIV

so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

In the same way that Abraham freely gave his son for a Sacrifice, God also freely gave His Son for a sacrifice. 

Substitutionary Sacrifice

Isaac was spared when God gave a Ram (lamb) as a substitution for Isaac.

Genesis 22:13 NKJV

Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So, Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.

The Ram was killed so that Isaac would be saved.  Look at the following verses about Jesus:

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Hebrews 9:28 NIV

so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Jesus was sacrificed as a substitute for us.  He was the “Lamb of God.” Offered freely for us.  A substitutionary sacrifice.

Resurrection

Hebrews 11:17-19 NKJV

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "IN ISAAC YOUR SEED SHALL BE CALLED," concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

Abraham was tested by God in all of this.  Go was testing his faith.  We discussed that in our last study, as we talked about Abraham’s regained faith. He understood and was confident that God could and would raise Isaac from the dead, in order to fulfill his promises to Abraham.

Luke 24:44-46 NIV

He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,

There are a number of prophecies concerning Jesus’ death and resurrection.  His death was the fulfillment of these promises.  In the same way that the lamb offered in stead of Isaac was the fulfillment of promises that God made to Abraham.  I am sure that the prophets spoke as confidently of God’s fulfillment of these promises as Abraham did.

Submitted to Father’s Will

Do you remember that I said last time that Isaac must have had great faith, because he willingly submitted to Abraham tying him up and setting him on the altar.  He didn’t fight, he didn’t run, he just allowed Abraham to prepare him to be the sacrificial lamb.  He submitted to his father’s will in this sacrifice.  This is a powerful example of faith and obedience.  He was willing to submit to death to obey his father.

Jesus, when his time to be betrayed came to pass, He went to Gethsemane to pray.  Three times He went to His knees and said this prayer:

 Luke 22:42 NKJV

saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."

He is submitting to His Father’s will.  He is obedient in the same way that Isaac was obedient. 

So, after looking at this comparison you can see how Isaac is a foreshadowing, a picture, of Jesus in the Old Testament.  They both:

1)      Were the Only Begotten Son

2)      Carried the Method of Their Execution

3)      Were Promised Sons

4)      Were to be a Sacrifice

5)      Substitionary Sacrifice

6)      Resurrected (Isaac Figuratively, Jesus Literally)

7)      Submitted to Their Father’s Will

 

 

Personalities of the Old Testament # 2 - Cain and Abel "Submission to God"

 Today, we will do the second study in our series, “Personalities of the Old Testament.”  We will take a look at what can be used to instruct us in the story of Cain and Abel.  How many know that the histories found in the Old Testament are there to instruct us by showing us how our behaviors affect our lives and our relationship with God.  There are good behaviors and bad behaviors that can be seen here. 

Review of Last Lesson

As we looked Adam’s life, we saw how sin can affect our relationship with God and the blessings that God intended for us.  What was God’s intention with the Garden of Eden?  To meet every need of man!  What was the sin in the Garden?  Eating the Fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  What was the outcome of that sin?  How did God react?  He kicked them out of the Garden.  They were separated from God and lost paradise.  What is the Garden of Eden an analogy of?  Heaven.

Cain and Abel

Genesis 4:1-2 NKJV

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the LORD." Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

This took place after Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden.  The name Cain means “Acquired” of the Lord.  The name Abel means “Vanity or Wind”.  The Bible isn’t specific but many of the commentaries believe that they were twins.  Those same commentaries think that Abel was given the name meaning wind because of the shortness of his life. 

Offerings

Genesis 4:3-4 NKJV

And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering,

Let’s look, first at Abel and his offering. 

The question is what makes Abel’s sacrifice a sacrifice of Faith?  There are a number of things.  The First being that the offering of the firstborn is a foreshadowing (a look at the future) of Jesus:

1st:  Firstborn Sacrifice: Abel offered the firstborn of his flock, which is a picture of Jesus as God's "only begotten Son". Jesus is often referred to as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb, fulfilling the imagery of a perfect and unblemished offering to God.

John 3:16 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was always with God, before man was created.  The firstborn.

John 1:1-2 NKJV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

2^nd: Faith and Righteousness: Abel's sacrifice was accepted because it was offered in faith. Similarly, Jesus' sacrifice was the ultimate act of obedience and faith, bringing righteousness to all who believe in Him.

Hebrews 11:4 NKJV

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

3^rd:  Innocence and Suffering: Abel was killed by his brother Cain out of jealousy and sin.  In the same way that Jesus was killed despite His innocence, out of the sinful hearts of humanity. This parallel emphasizes the theme of suffering and sacrifice for righteousness.

4^th:  Blood as Atonement: Abel's sacrifice involved the shedding of blood, which is significant in biblical theology as "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" Jesus' sacrifice on the cross fulfills this on a universal and eternal scale.

 Hebrews 9:22 NKJV

And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

There’s one last thing that I want to point out about Abel’s sacrifice.  The very first sacrifice that was made was by God.  It involved the shedding of blood, and it was an example of what God would have expected in a sacrifice.  Abel saw that an prepared a sacrifice that was an imitation of God’s first sacrifice.

Genesis 3:21 NKJV

Also, for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

All of these things made Abel’s sacrifice acceptable to God.  1) the First Born; 2) the Foreshadowing of Jesus; 3) the Shedding of Blood and 4) the Imitation of God’s Sacrifice in the Garden.

But what of Cain’s sacrifice, what was it that made it unacceptable? 

Genesis 4:5-7 NKJV

but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."

Cain’s offering was not accepted because it was not offered in faith.  In fact, let’s look at Luke 11:37–51, and we’re not going to read all of it but I will summarize it for you. 

Jesus has gone to eat with one of the Pharisees.  The Pharisee comments that Jesus didn’t wash up before he ate.  Jesus begins to rebuke the Pharisees for being concerned about appearances but not about their hearts.  In other words, they were concerned about looking good but not living well for God.  This is possibly Cain’s error in his sacrifice because look at the final verse of this passage:

Luke 11:51 NKJV

from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.

Jesus is comparing the actions of the Pharisees to Cain’s actions.  His sacrifice was more to look righteous, rather than living in righteousness.  So, God didn’t accept Cain’s sacrifice.  Look how God explained the problem to Cain, himself.

Genesis 4:7 NKJV

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."

“If you do well, will you not be accepted.”  Doing well could be considered to be doing things with a right heart toward God’s will.

2Corinthians 9:7 NKJV

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

We may be able to conclude through this that Cain was not a cheerful giver. 

Finally, how did Cain and Abel know if their sacrifices were acceptable?  Some commentators explain it in this way:

Leviticus 9:24 NKJV

and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

When Abel’s sacrifice was consumed by God it was an indication of God’s approval of Abel’s offering.  That Cain’s offering just laid there was an indication of God’s lack of acceptance.  So, Cain became angry and his countenance fell.  He became unhappy.

Sin Lies at the Door

I want to look at one more thing here:  It is in Genesis 4:7:

Genesis 4:7 NKJV

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."

Sin lies at the door.  That word translated as lies means to crouch.  It’s like a cat crouching and preparing to spring on some unwary prey.

After this incident what happened:

Genesis 4:8 NKJV

Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

God told Cain that if he didn’t do well that sin was waiting to spring into his life and overtake his actions.  Cain’s next act after giving his unacceptable offering because he did it without genuine submission to the will of God, rose up and killed his brother.

Sin has sprung and it rules over his life.  We can see that in the curse that was placed on him. 

Genesis 4:11-12 NKJV

So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth."

His life has been destroyed by sin.  This can happen to us as well if we are not submitted to God’s will. 

James 4:7 NKJV

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

An unsubmitted life will result in a life “ruled over” by sin!

Summary:

1)  Abel gave a sacrifice that was acceptable to God because it was given in submission to God.  It demonstrates his faith and righteousness of heart.  This is how we should approach sacrifice not just in giving but in every sacrifice, we make for others, too.

2)  Cain’s sacrifice was unacceptable to God because it was given not in submission but in obligation.  He wanted to look righteous and faithful, but those things were not in his heart.

3) If we live our lives absent of submission to the will of God we are also in danger of being controlled by sin.  Sin destroys lives and relationships.  We need to examine our hearts to be sure that we are living with right motives to God’s will.

4)  We will be accepted by God if we do well.

 

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