Think about the story of Isaac’s birth—it’s actually a glimpse of Jesus. Both Isaac and Jesus were promised long before they arrived. Both seemed impossible—Isaac because Sarah was too old to have kids, and Jesus because He was born of a virgin. And when they finally came into the world, both were living proof that God keeps His promises.
Ishmael, Abraham’s other son, was born because Abraham and Sarah tried to make God’s promise happen on their own. But Isaac? He was born because of God’s power, not their effort. Galatians 4 actually looks back at this story and reminds us that, like Isaac, we are children of the promise. That means we don’t become God’s children by working for it—we become His children because of what Jesus did for us.
And then there’s Abraham and Isaac’s story on the mountain, which gives us an even clearer picture of Jesus. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son, the one he deeply loved. That’s actually the first time the word love shows up in the entire Bible—when a father is about to give up his son. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a direct reflection of what God would one day do with Jesus.
But Isaac wasn’t a little boy when this happened—he was about 30. His dad was over 100. If Isaac had wanted to, he could have overpowered Abraham easily. But he didn’t. He trusted his father and willingly went up the mountain, carrying the wood for his own sacrifice—just like Jesus carried His cross to the place where He would die. And get this—many scholars believe it was the exact same hill.
Here’s the biggest difference, though: when Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, God stopped him and provided a ram instead. But when Jesus was on the cross, there was no ram, no last-minute rescue. Jesus was the sacrifice. God did for us what He never actually asked Abraham to do. Why? Because Isaac’s sacrifice wouldn’t have been enough. Only Jesus’ blood—God’s own blood—could pay for our sins.
So what does this mean for us? It means that this story isn’t about what we need to do—it’s about what God has already done. When Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, God stepped in and provided a lamb instead. But when it came to Jesus, there was no backup plan—He was the Lamb. He took our place, paying for our sin once and for all.
That’s why we don’t have to try to earn God’s love or work for our salvation. The price has already been paid. Jesus did everything needed to bring us back to God. Jehovah-Jireh—the God who provides—has given us the ultimate gift: Himself.
More resources:
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/abraham-take-your-son
https://youtu.be/z9SI3KybN4s?si=U5E3NvBw8m_7lh0a
In what areas of your life are you tempted to take matters into your own hands instead of trusting God’s timing and power?
How does knowing that you are a child of the promise—saved by God’s grace, not your own effort—change the way you see your relationship with Him?
Abraham trusted God enough to surrender what was most precious to him. What is something in your life that you need to surrender to God, trusting that He will provide?
21 The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. 2 She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. 3 And Abraham named their son Isaac. 4 Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded. 5 Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.
6 And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me. 7 Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!”
8 When Isaac grew up and was about to be weaned, Abraham prepared a huge feast to celebrate the occasion. 9 But Sarah saw Ishmael—the son of Abraham and her Egyptian servant Hagar—making fun of her son, Isaac. 10 So she turned to Abraham and demanded, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son. He is not going to share the inheritance with my son, Isaac. I won’t have it!”