Isaac as a Type of Christ

[tonychanyt]

Both Isaac and Jesus were promised sons. Genesis 15:4, Isaiah 7:14

Both were miraculously conceived. Genesis 21:2, Luke 1:35

Both names, Isaac and Jesus, were given by God. Genesis 17:19, Matthew 1:21

Both were only beloved sons. Genesis 22:2, John 3:16

Both were sons of Abraham. Genesis 22:2, Matthew 1:1

Both were offered in sacrifice. Genesis 22:2, Ephesians 5:2

Both carried the wood for their sacrifice. Genesis 22:6, John 19:17

Both were bound to the wood. Genesis 22:9, John 19:18

Both willingly obeyed the will of their fathers. Genesis 22:6, Luke 22:42

Isaac was resurrected figuratively; Jesus was literally. Hebrews 11:19, Matthew 28:6

 

[AV1611VET]

Notice, Tony, that Paul says:

Galatians 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

If you read about Isaac's life, he did no works.

He had everything handed to him on a silver platter -- even his wife was picked out for him.

He dug a couple of wells, yes; but it was his servants who did it.

What a wonderful picture that our salvation is not of works, but of faith!

 

[Armchair Apologist]

Both Isaac and Jesus were promised sons. Genesis 15:4, Isaiah 7:14

Both were miraculously conceived. Genesis 21:2, Luke 1:35

Both names, Isaac and Jesus, were given by God. Genesis 17:19, Matthew 1:21

Both were only beloved sons. Genesis 22:2, John 3:16

Both were sons of Abraham. Genesis 22:2, Matthew 1:1

Both were offered in sacrifice. Genesis 22:2, Ephesians 5:2

Both carried the wood for their sacrifice. Genesis 22:6, John 19:17

Both were bound to the wood. Genesis 22:9, John 19:18

Both willingly obeyed the will of their fathers. Genesis 22:6, Luke 22:42

Isaac was resurrected figuratively; Jesus was literally. Hebrews 11:19, Matthew 28:6

Isaac most certainly personified Christ in this story but only to a point.

Hebrews 11:19 speaks of Abraham's faith that God could raise him up from the dead and would have to do so in order to keep his promise.

The story didn't go down like this because unlike Jesus, Isaac was a sinner who deserved to die. At that point, he represented all who are "in Adam" and the just reward for sin. God therefore provided the lamb which personified Christ who is the perfect substitutionary atonement for our sin!

 

[Grafted In]

And his servant went to a well to find a wife for his son.

 

[tonychanyt]

Isaac most certainly personified Christ in this story

reference?

 

[Armchair Apologist]

reference?

I am not certain of what you are asking. I could quote the same references as you. All I am saying is that Isaac was incapable of portraying (or actually being) the substitutionary atonement necessary to take away sin. Therefore, at the point that Isaac was tied to the altar, I would say he went from being a type of Christ to being a representative of you and me, representative of Adam, or whatever.

At this point, Isaac was a sinner, condemned to die, and justice would have been served had God allowed it to be so. This illustrates the following in Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:1-5 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved​

I absolutely love the "But God" part in this passage as I am sure you do as well! The reason is obvious and if I were to elaborate further, it would get me to preaching!

The "But God" moment in the story of Abraham and Isaac was when God intervened and kept Abraham from following through with the killing of Isaac. God is immutable and does not change his mind, a death was required that day but instead of Isaac, God provided a lamb which represented Christ, the perfect spotless lamb that would be the propitiation whereby we could be reconciled to God!

This account is another piece of God's progressive revelation building upon the protoevangelium of Gen 3:15. The promise given to Adam and Eve was passed down to Abraham through Isaac, his son and that in him, all of the nations of the earth shall be blessed.

 

[tonychanyt]

I am not certain of what you are asking.

Can you quote other people saying what you say: "Isaac most certainly personified Christ in this story"? Note the bold.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

Can you quote other people saying what you say: "Isaac most certainly personified Christ in this story"? Note the bold.

Perhaps we are getting into semantics here? Would it be better to say that Isaac "exemplified" or "typified" Christ in this story?

I would not regard Isaac as a "theophany" if that is what you are thinking and this was not my intention. The theophany would be the lamb that God provided on Moriah.

 

[tonychanyt]

Perhaps we are getting into semantics here? Would it be better to say that Isaac "exemplified" or "typified" Christ in this story?

Isaac was a type of Christ. Are you familiar with biblical typology?

 

[Armchair Apologist]

Isaac was a type of Christ. Are you familiar with biblical typology?

Yes

 

[tonychanyt]

Yes

Go ahead: Rwrite the following using the word "type" instead of "personified:

Isaac most certainly personified Christ in this story but only to a point.

Hebrews 11:19 speaks of Abraham's faith that God could raise him up from the dead and would have to do so in order to keep his promise.

The story didn't go down like this because unlike Jesus, Isaac was a sinner who deserved to die. At that point, he represented all who are "in Adam" and the just reward for sin. God therefore provided the lamb which personified Christ who is the perfect substitutionary atonement for our sin!

 

[Armchair Apologist]

Go ahead: Rwrite the following using the word "type" instead of "personified:

Sorry, I do not see where I can go back and edit now. Perhaps we are only afforded a certain window of opportunity to do so? "Personify" was not a good word choice and I apologize for any confusion but you understand what I mean now so lets leave it at that.

 

[AV1611VET]

Sorry, I do not see where I can go back and edit now.

It's an option at the bottom of any post you make.

Lower left-hand side, where it says REPORT ... EDIT ... DELETE.

 

[tonychanyt]

I do not see where I can go back and edit now.

If you do, you will see that you cannot do it without contradicting yourself.

 

[Grafted In]

I can see him as a type of Christ, a foreshadow, if you prefer, in Genesis 24.