When we turn to look at the life of Isaac the record in scripture is far sketchier than for the other patriarchs. Abraham and Jacob tower over Isaac in this regard.
Perhaps as a result, the life of Isaac seem less dramatic. Isaac seems to be a quiet man though still with equal influence and authority. The highs and lows are perhaps less pronounced as a result.
What you cannot fail to notice however, is that there seem to be a number of pictures in his life that are types or at least shadows of things to come. Here are some of them:
- Gen 21
– the animosity between Isaac and Ismael spells their future conflict
– the casting out of Hagar is one of a few allegories in scripture, (Gal 4:21-31); it defines the ruthless attitude believers should have to the flesh which enslaves and the true nature of our freedom in Christ enabled through the Spirit - Gen 22
– the submission of the promised Son foreshadows the submission of the ultimate, promised Son;
– Isaac’s “resurrection”, (cf Heb 11:19), followed by Sarah’s death and his eventual marriage to Rebekah bears striking resemblance to the present dispensation in which, following Christ’s resurrection, Israel was laid to one side to make way for the Church - Gen 24 – the role of the unnamed servant in bringing Rebekah to Isaac is evocative of the Holy Spirit’s role in bringing the Church to Christ
- Gen 35 – the omission in the record of Rebekah’s death is again evocative of the eternal nature of the Church
