Isaac – Trusting God’s Power
Pastor Fred Calkins
Midland SDA Church
April 17, 2021
Isaac means Laughter
His parents had given up on the promise of a son.
When God reminded them that He keeps His promises,
they laughed – first in incredulity, then in joy.
Isaac was an easy child to rear.
He tried to please
He took instruction well.
We will look particularly at two crises in his life:
I. Genesis 22 – Abraham’s test of faith
And how it impacted Isaac
A serious test came when he was almost twenty years old
I picture the awakening by Abraham in the middle of the night.
I see the quiet exit from camp.
I hear Isaac’s question ‘Where is the lamb?’
Genesis 22:7
Abraham’s answer points to Jesus,
but also expresses hope that God has a plan.
We are not told details of the instruction.
Isaac could have refused.
Both made a serious commitment.
Praise God for the intervention.
See James 2:19-22
Many ask me “WHY would God require such a test?
How could He make such a requirement?”
Abraham had doubted God’s ability to protect him!
1. Calling Sarah merely his sister – twice!
2. Taking a second woman as wife.
a. God required him to send her away.
b. Thus upholding the sacredness of 1 wife.
3. Now his integrity is further tested.
The scene on the mountain is particularly poignant.
With tears Abraham explained trust in God.
Isaac bravely accepted!
Praise God both for the Ram,
and the fulfilment in Christ.
This is a powerful type of Christ!
The Heavenly Father too gave His well-beloved Son.
The gift of Jesus – John 3:16
Was not merely for the 33 years of earth.
Jesus has identified with humanity forever.
We don’t yet comprehend just what that entails.
I believe Jesus has permanently limited Himself!
His humbling – see Philippians 2:5-11
Is for eternity.
This story invites each of us to lay on the altar.
Everything near and dear
– well worth sacrificing for God’s glory.
II. Crisis #2 came when forty years of age.
In contrast to half-brother Ishmael (God Hears),
Isaac waited for his parents to select his bride.
It was customary in that culture for
parents to make wedding arrangements.
Isaac trusted them to do it at the right time.
Many lessons for people today!
You do indeed need help
You can trust those who love you.
It is worth waiting for God’s time
It appears Abraham
ignored the need until Sarah had died.
Then when Isaac was forty years of age, he acted.
The decision was to find a worshiper of YHWH.
No one in the camp seemed suitable.
The Canaanite women were idolatrous.
It was determined to
send for one from Haran – kinfolk.
It was known that they were not
wholly free of idolatry but they did
include worship of YHWH.
It is apparent that Rebecca was
true in her worship of God.
A few more important details.
Isaac waited twenty years
to implore God for children.
Genesis 25:20-21
That was at his wife’s urging.
I believe she knew she was nearing
the end of her childbearing years.
She would have been at least in her late thirties by then.
Lessons for us today:
1. Trust in God and His promises
2. Let God direct the affairs of life
a. Particularly marriage
b. You know what needs you have.
3. When issues arise: turn to God first.