Jesus is the Greater Isaac

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:

  1. Isaac and Jesus were both born in accordance with promises given many years before
  2. Isaac and Jesus were both born at God’s appointed time after years of waiting
  3. Isaac and Jesus were both born of miracles
  4. Isaac and Jesus were both firstborn sons
  5. Isaac and Jesus were both loved by their fathers
  6. Isaac and Jesus both left their father’s home (Beersheba/Heaven)
  7. Isaac and Jesus both journeyed three days (Beersheba/Moriah, cross/empty tomb)
  8. Isaac and Jesus were both escorted by two men to their sacrifice (2 servants, 2 thieves)
  9. Isaac and Jesus were both young men who carried wood upon their back to their sacrifice
  10. Isaac and Jesus both willingly submitted their lives to their father
  11. Isaac and Jesus were both laid down as an offering for sin
  12. Isaac and Jesus both asked their father a question: “Where is the lamb?”, “Why have you forsaken me?”
  13. Jesus is the Angel of the Lord who spared Isaac and died as the sacrifice for sin
  14. Isaac was promised that God would provide, and Jesus was that provision
  15. Isaac was raised from death figuratively, and Jesus was raised from death literally
  16. 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.

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