FROM THE PULPIT: PICTURES OF CHRIST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT: THE BIRTH OF ISAAC

Greetings in that name which is above every name, the Lord Jesus Christ. By God's grace we will be viewing some wonderful and glorious things in these chapters in Genesis.

Christ said Himself that the scriptures testified of Him and all the prophets and even Moses wrote concerning Him (John 5:39,46).

Lets look at Isaac and indeed behold one who is greater than Isaac was. We will notice seven points, the reader is encouraged to find even more similarities than that which is written here.

1. The Promised One (Gen. 17:16)

Ishmael was not the promised one but Isaac was. He was the chosen of God, on him and him alone did God set His mark. Notice in the New Testament when the pharisees wanted to know if John the Baptist was The One who was to come, John knew exactly who they were asking about. Christ was the one given to remit sin and fulfill all of God's grand design in the saving of His people.

2. Much Time Had Passed (Gen. 12:7-21:1)

There was much time that had passed from the point at which God spoke to Abraham concerning the promise and its actual fulfillment. Even so with our blessed Lord, the question kept coming up; is this the one who is to come or shall we look for another? Many count God's time as slow but rest assured that it is right on time and His mighty purpose and will shall not be thwarted. Christ came at the exact time appointed from the foundation of the world.

3. With Men This is Impossible (Gen. 18:13)

Sarah doubted about the fact of the matter, but God replied: "Is any thing too hard for the Lord?" Notice Mary's reply in Luke 1:34, 37. And God's response to her as well. This is what is meant by Sovereignty, God is God and His decree is certain. It doesn't matter if man understands it or not, what God has spoken that he shall do (Ps. 135:6). What comfort this affords His children, for this is a solid rock of solace and an anchor for the soul.

4. His Name Proceeds His Birth (Gen. 17:19)

There was absolutely no question as to who He shall be or what He will do and accomplish. Notice in Matt. 1:21, here again we find in the Lord Jesus Christ an absolute Savior and the fact that He shall succeed in His work of salvation for His people. He will not try to save but He will save and that in and through His life and death and resurrection on the behalf of all who believe (his sheep).

5. God's Appointed Time (Gen. 21:2)

When Isaac was born? At the set time that God had appointed. Observe in Galatians 4:4, so too was Immanuel. When did God the Father choose to fulfill all Old Testament prophecies and types and shadows? When it pleased Him. When is a sinner saved by the Grace of God through the blood of the Son (Gal. 1:15,16)?

The answer must be the same. I'm so thankful that this is the case because sin has ruined us so much that we cannot come to Him that we might have life (John 6:44, 65). He must draw us to Himself or else we will perish.

6. Miracle of the Ages (Gen. 21:5)

Humanly speaking there's no way Sarah can conceive. What about the virgin Mary? The incarnation of the Son of God is so wonderful and mysterious that words cannot utter the right phrases and the mind cannot fully comprehend. Here's the only sinless and divine birth in all of humanity. Oh, the splendor of "God made flesh and dwelling among us."

7. Isaac the Name (Gen. 21:3)

The name Isaac means laughter, that is surely he was his father Abraham's delight. Look at Matt. 3:17, God the Father states time and time again that the Son, Jesus Christ, is His only delight and that He is well pleased with Him. If this is indeed so, why do we look and trust in any other than the one from Galilee?

Do not trust in yourself or in your works no matter how good they may seem to be. The God of all things says He is delighted and satisfied with His only begotten Son; worship Him, embrace Him and look to Him for the grace that saves.