Genesis 26: Isaac

While much is said about Abraham and his grandson, Jacob. Isaac is character that we comparatively little about. This chapter is really the only one where we can see Isaac character on its own and not in context of one of the other patriarchs.

Isaac continued the calling of his father and became a powerful man within in the land. Powerful enough that the surrounding kingdoms began to feel threatened by his presence. Isaac was obedient when God told him not to go to Egypt during a difficult period, but to remain in the land that was promised. He did repeat after his father and did claim that his wife was his sister to try and protect his own life. God revealed this to the surrounding peoples who appropriately rebuked him for the action.

In terms of waiting on God, from this we can get a glimpse that God's call can sometime last generations. Though Isaac did not have unique call, he showed his faithfulness with the obedience towards God and the instructions God gave to his father.

I often like to identify with Biblical characters. There can be a sense of a plan beyond myself. However, it can be tempting to want to feel extra-chosen and some of us will play background roles. I do not know what God has intended for me.

Genesis 22 - 25

In Genesis 21, we finally saw God's promise fulfilled in Abraham's life. This is where we tend to end stories, but this is not where God ends His stories. Genesis 22-25 follow Abraham through the rest of his life. There many good passages about sacrifice and obedience. As I focussing on the wait the precedes fulfilment, I will give a quick summary and move on to the next person.

• God asks Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham obeys and God intervenes. This is symbolic and foreshadows the arrival of Jesus to die for our sins. It is also story of about the importance of trusting God.
• Sarah dies. Abraham buys a plot to bury her and in so doing we get a glimpse of the politics of time. We also see that Abraham, though a stranger to the land has risen to prominence.
• Abraham finds a wife for Isaac among the people left behind in Ur, in accordance with God's will. Further, these individuals worshiped God and the legacy needed to continue to the next generation.
• Abraham remarries and has several more children, all of which become nation states. He leaves everything to Isaac, but gave generously to his other children while he was still alive. He also sent these children to the East
• Lastly, Abraham lives to exceedingly old age and then passes on. His sons Isaac and Ishmael bury him.

From this, we see the call to obedience continues until our last breath. Life may go on, even an after call. We will have interactions in God and we will still seek Him. We also see how the fulfilment of a call changed Abraham and further increased his trust in God, for God is good God, and He guides through times where faith is hard with previous experience of His great salvation.