Isaac a Figure of Christ

[Thompson, Darryl]

Isaac a Figure of Christ

     By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that
had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it
was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called. Heb. 11:17, 18.  

     The offering of Isaac was designed by God to prefigure the
sacrifice of His Son. Isaac was a figure of the Son of God, who was
offered a sacrifice for the sins of the world. God desired to impress
upon Abraham the gospel of salvation of men. . . . He was made to
understand in his own experience how great was the self-denial of the
infinite God in giving His Son to rescue man from ruin.

     To Abraham no mental torture could be equal to that which he
endured in obeying the command to sacrifice his son. ... With a breaking
heart and unnerved hand, he takes the fire, while Isaac inquires,
"Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for the burnt
offering?" (Gen. 22:7). But oh, Abraham cannot tell him now! Father and
son build the altar, and the terrible moment comes for Abraham to make
known to Isaac that which has agonized his soul during all that long
journey--that Isaac himself is the victim. . . . The son submits to the
sacrifice because he believes in the integrity of his father. But when
everything is ready, when the faith of the father and the submission of
the son are fully tested, the angel of God stays the uplifted hand of
Abraham, and tells him that it is enough. "Now I know that thou fearest
God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me"
(verse 12).  

     Our heavenly Father surrendered His beloved Son to the agonies of
the crucifixion. Legions of angels witnessed the humiliation and soul
anguish of the Son of God, but were not permitted to interpose as in the
case of Isaac. No voice was heard to stay the sacrifice. God's dear Son,
the world's Redeemer, was insulted, mocked at, derided, and tortured,
until He bowed His head in death. What greater proof can the Infinite
One give us of His divine love and pity? "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?" (Rom. 8:32).