Abraham & Isaac
ABRAHAM AND ISAAC enter Bible history nine generations after the flood. During those intervening years Noah’s descendants lost faith in God. They defied Him in attempting to build the Tower of Babel.1 After God scattered the people, the population kept expanding. With the increase in the earth’s population came also an increase in sin.
1Genesis 11:1-9.
DURING THIS CONFUSED AND SINFUL TIME God chose Abram, who like Noah centuries before, stood above his generation. He wanted to please God. Because of his unquestioning faith, Abram loved and obeyed God. God directed Abram to leave his country and relatives. He said, “‘Get out of your country, From your kindred And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.’”1 Together with other great promises, God promised Abram that in his seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed. The promised seed was Christ (Galatians 3:16).
1Genesis 12:1.
LATER GOD RENEWED HIS PROMISE to Abram on several occasions. He promised that Abram’s children would be numberless as the sand on the seashore and the stars of the sky.1 But at the time of this promise Abram was childless and growing old.2 When Abram (“exalted father”) was ninety- nine years old God changed his name to Abraham. (“father of a multitude”) and reconfirmed all His promises.
1Genesis 15:1-6, 22:15-18. 2Romans 4:18-21.
EVENTUALLY GOD APPEARED to Abraham in the form of three men with good news. He revealed to Abraham that soon he and Sarah would have a son.1 God was now beginning to fulfill His promise to Abraham.
1Genesis 18:1-10.
WHEN SARAH OVERHEARD their conversation, she laughed to herself because she and Abraham were almost a hundred years old – far too old to become parents.1 But later Abraham could thank God time and again for his son, Isaac. Isaac was born according to God’s promise within a year after Sarah laughed.2
1Genesis 18:11-15. 2Genesis 21:1-5.
WHEN ISAAC GREW UP Abraham sent back to his own people to find a wife for Isaac. Rebecca consented to become Isaac’s wife.1 Like Sarah, Isaac’s mother, Rebecca was unable to bear children for a long time. However, when Isaac pleaded with God for children, He blessed them with the birth of twin sons, Jacob and Esau.2
1Genesis 24:1-67. 2Genesis 25:20b-26.