“ Faith Through

Generations: Isaac ”Hebrews 11:20

A legacy…•19th century Swedish chemist and inventor Alfred Nobel made his fortune in explosives production•His father, Alfred Sr., passed away and the newspaper mistook son for father in the obituary•The paper called him a “rich industrialist who made his fortune in war”.•Nobel was horrified that death and destruction would be his legacy– so he set aside 31M Swedish Kronas ($265M today) to fund prizes for peace, science, medicine, and literature

“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.”

Hebrews 11:20, NASB

A. The Faith of Isaac•To understand v20, we must again go back to Genesis 25•But first, not much is ever said about Isaac’s role in the story of Abraham’s faith•Isaac would probably have been a teenager– let’s remember here…

“3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. 5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the

“3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. 5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the

knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.

9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid

knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.

9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid

him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.”

Genesis 22:3-10, NASB

A. The Faith of Isaac•Not much is ever said about Isaac’s role in the story of Abraham’s faith•Isaac the teenager•Could’ve easily overcome his 100 year-old dad•Allowed himself to placed on the altar•Not his dad’s faith shown there…

B. Isaac the elder…•Now back to Genesis 25:21-26

“21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is so, why then am I this way?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. 23 The LORD said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb;And two peoples will be separated from

your body;And one people shall be stronger than the

other;And the older shall serve the younger.”

24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them.”

Genesis25:21-26, NASB

B. Isaac the elder…•Genesis 25:21-26•It’s difficult to imagine Jacob and Esau as twins once we read how different they were as adults•Ignore their appearance– God chose Jacob over Esau in His infinite wisdom

B. Isaac the elder…•The problem we see with how the boys grew up, I think rests in their parents’ playing favorites…

“25 So he said, “Bring it to me, and I will eat of my son’s game, that I may bless you.” And he brought it to him, and he ate; he also brought him wine and he drank. 26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Please come close and kiss me, my son.” 27 So he came close and kissed him; and when he smelled the smell of his garments, he blessed him and said,

“See, the smell of my son Is like the smell of a field which the

LORD has blessed…” Genesis 27:25-27, NASB

B. Isaac the elder…•Playing favorites…•Since they were, Isaac wanted to bless Esau over Jacob by circumventing God’s will•So, God Used Rebecca’s con job to get Isaac to bless Jacob•Millions try this same thing…

C. Isaac confirms his Faith•Genesis 27:36b-38,

“And he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” 37 But Isaac replied to Esau, “Behold, I have made him your master, and all his relatives I have given to him as servants; and with grain and new wine I have sustained him. Now as for you then, what can I do, my son?” 38 Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father.” So Esau lifted his voice and wept.”

Genesis 27:36(b)-38, NASB

C. Isaac confirms his Faith•Genesis 27:36b-38, after he realized what had happened, Isaac resigned himself to God’s will•He speaks this poetry to Esau, sounding as if he has repented

“Behold, away from the fertility of the earth shall be your dwelling,

And away from the dew of heaven from above.40  “By your sword you shall live,

And your brother you shall serve;But it shall come about when you

become restless,That you will break his yoke from your

neck.”Genesis 27:40, NASB

C. Isaac confirms his Faith•Eventually, Isaac submitted himself to the will of God•Though his physical eyes were failing, Isaac spiritually could see that the Lord chose his younger son Jacob, and through him a chosen nation would arise•Jacob learned this faith from his father, who learned it from his, Abraham; thus his place here

Take Home!1. Home should be a

launching pad for our children's faith in God

•Pray and read the Word daily2. Develop a contagious

confidence in God in your home!

•Pray and read the Bible daily!