Sometimes we say that children are filled with promise. In a certain sense, that was true of Isaac, as the child of promise. What are we told of him, and what can we learn from his young years for our lives?

Isaac brings joy⤒🔗

His name means “laughter” (Genesis 21:6). There were times of laughter in anticipation of Isaac’s birth (Genesis 17:17; 18:12), and times when it seemed impossible that Sarah would have a child. But with the Lord nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). The birth of Isaac proved He is the almighty God, who can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, the God who can turn sorrow into joy (John 16:20). Are you ever sad, especially over your sins and lack of peace? The great Son of Isaac went to the cross to take sin away, and He brings joy and peace to sinners who take refuge in Him (Luke 2:29).

Isaac gives himself←⤒🔗

When they reach the top, Abraham builds an altar. Next, he arranges the wood on the altar, and then Isaac realized he would be the offering. Couldn’t he have resisted? Probably. He was a young man: he was stronger than his aged father. But Isaac gave himself; he let himself be bound, and he saw his father with the knife in his hands. Isaac knew his sin and that God would be just in condemning him to death. Would you give yourself over willingly? The Lord Jesus did and that filled Paul with amazement: “He loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Isaac bears burdens←⤒🔗

The day came when Abraham was tested. He was sent to offer up his beloved son Isaac on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:1-2). Abraham obeyed in faith, and Isaac went along. While Isaac did not know the specifics of what was to happen on top of Mount Moriah, he was willing to carry the wood up the mountain. It may not have been easy for Isaac, but he carried the burden that was given to him. So should we (Galatians 6:5; Lamentations 3:27). These yokes and burdens are meant to strengthen us and shape us, to teach us to serve, and lead us to resort to the Lord Jesus, the great Burden-Bearer (Matthew 11:28-30).

Isaac inquires about the Lamb←⤒🔗

As Isaac and Abraham are climbing Mount Moriah, Isaac turns to his father and asks him, “Where is the lamb?” (Genesis 22:7). It is good for children to have a bond with their fathers, to ask questions and talk about their problems with them. It is good when father and son can speak of the service of the Lord and, in this case, climb the mountain together to worship. And it is good when children can ask their parents about the Lamb: Who is He? Where is He? And what has He come to do?

Isaac follows by faith←⤒🔗

When Abraham answers Isaac’s question with the words:

“My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering,” Isaac does not say: “Is that all you can say, Dad?” You may have expected him to run back down the mountain. But he doesn’t. He follows in faith, just like the Lord Jesus would later say: “If any man will be my disciple, let him take up his cross, deny himself and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Do we know such faith­ the faith of a disciple who does not always understand the ways of the Lord, but willingly submits and follows, ready to give himself?

Isaac receives a substitute←⤒🔗

Isaac did not have to die. God did indeed provide a sacrifice. Isaac could be untied from the altar, and the substitute would take his place and die in his stead (Genesis 22:13). This points clearly to the substitionary sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. While Isaac could be spared, Christ was not spared, but carried the sin of His people (Romans 8:32; Isaiah 53:6). He suffered, the Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). There was no angel to stop His death. The knife of God’s anger not only hung over Him, but fell upon Him and pierced Him — so that sinners like Isaac could go free. Don’t you think that Abraham and Isaac indeed worshipped there (Genesis 22:5)? Have you learned to worship by faith at the cross of Jesus, the great substitute?