Genesis 22:2 – He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
The comparisons between this account in Genesis 21-22 and the death of Jesus are many. Here are some examples through which we see that Isaac is a type of Jesus Christ pointing toward the future fulfillment of what is prophesied in this scene:
- Isaac and Jesus were both born in accordance with promises given many years before
- Isaac and Jesus were both born at God’s appointed time after years of waiting
- Isaac and Jesus were both born of miracles
- Isaac and Jesus were both firstborn sons
- Isaac and Jesus were both loved by their fathers
- Isaac and Jesus both left their father’s home (Beersheba/Heaven)
- Isaac and Jesus both journeyed three days (Beersheba/Moriah, cross/empty tomb)
- Isaac and Jesus were both escorted by two men to their sacrifice (2 servants, 2 thieves)
- Isaac and Jesus were both young men who carried wood upon their back to their sacrifice
- Isaac and Jesus both willingly submitted their lives to their father
- Isaac and Jesus were both laid down as an offering for sin
- Isaac and Jesus both asked their father a question: “Where is the lamb?”, “Why have you forsaken me?”
- Jesus is the Angel of the Lord who spared Isaac and died as the sacrifice for sin
- Isaac was promised that God would provide, and Jesus was that provision
- Isaac was raised from death figuratively, and Jesus was raised from death literally
- Isaac and Jesus went forth to get their bride (Rebekah, Church)
As with all of Scripture, the birth and near-death of Isaac, Abraham and Sarah’s promised son, points to Jesus. As I’ve said for over 25 years of ministry as a senior pastor – It’s All About Jesus!
Read through some of the gospels and Jesus’ story (Matthew 27 and Jesus’ death, for example, which parallels this passage and Isaac’s near-death) to see some of these comparisons between Jesus and Isaac.
To help you study the book of Genesis with us, check out the second of three free e-book study guides here.
To get daily devos texted to you Monday-Friday, text DEVOTIONS to 99383. Click here to find the sermon series that accompanies this devotional series.