This Easter 2: Isaac a Type of Christ

Easter is the season that many Christians celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. In Genesis 22, God had Abraham sacrifice his son basically to test him and to set a picture of that which was to come two thousand years later. This story is the clearest instance of a Christ prototype in the Old Testament.

Throughout In the Old Testament, there were men that pictured aspects of Christ’s life and ministry. The events in their lives pointed forward to the new covenant and to Jesus Christ. Understanding these gives us insight into God’s character and the way He does things- past, present, and future.

Separated by time, through the life of Isaac, we see that scarlet thread of redemption pointing toward Jesus and the cross. Below are events in his life that foreshadowed and mirrored Christ.

1.      He was called ‘Only Begotten Son

Gen 11:12, 16, Ps 2:7…Only begotten as used in the sense here refers to ‘special, unique, precious’. Isaac was called only begotten and so was Jesus

2.      He was named by God

Gen 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed and thou shall call his name Isaac. God named him as was named Jesus. Mt 1:21 and she shall bring forth a son and you shall call his name Emmanuel.

3.      He was offered up

Isaac was taken up to the top of the mountain, Moriah, Jesus was lifted up at Calvary

4.      He carried the woods of his sacrifice

Gen 22:6a Abraham laid the wood of sacrifice on Isaac’s shoulders, Jn 19:17 It should be remembered that Jesus bore his own cross and this is where the common 'carry your cross' was culled from.

5.      He was in agreement with his fathers will

Gen 22:6-8 Isaac was well aware that He was in the preparation as the sacrifice but still submitted himself to the fathers bidding. Jn 10:30, 17: 21-23, Jesus knew that it was the fathers will for him to the sacrificial lamb and he willingly laid down his life.

Animals without blemish were required for sacrifices. Jesus, our Savior, was without sin, without blemish.  Yet, He became sin for us so we can be free. Romans 8:32 says He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not, with Him, also freely give us all things?” Can you imagine the joy and freedom Abraham felt after he put that ram on the altar?! That’s what we experience when we accept the gift given to us through Christ, our sacrificial Lamb.

Compliments of the Season

God bless you