In Genesis 25:19, we read, “This is the line of Isaac son of Abraham,” which indicates that the focus was going to be on the second of the Patriarchs. He is prominently what the stories in this section is about, even if he seems to play a subordinate role to his father Abraham, and his son Jacob. Even in the stories of the two major incidents in his life in Genesis 22 and the blessing of his sons in Genesis 27, he was not the central figure. With the three Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his personality and life is the least defined in Scripture. He seems like the bridge between Abraham and Jacob. Nevertheless, he is the essential rink in a chain of greatness.

First, Isaac never left the land of Israel. He only has one wife, and only fathers children from one woman. His name was also never changed.

It is easy to overlook Isaac and his role in the Bible. However, if we look at his life, we can see what distinguished him from both his father and his son. First, Isaac never left the land of Israel. He only has one wife, and only fathers children from one woman. His name was also never changed. God protected the promised son. God preserved his integrity.

While Abraham and Jacob reflected what will become the tradition of the “Wandering Jew”, Isaac did not need to go from one place to another. He had a home. We see here the experiences of the founding fathers in the Bible. God provided for him where he was.

Isaac was also different from his father and son in the fact that he only has one wife. When Rebekah is barren, Isaac does not have a child with his wife’s concubine (as does Abraham); instead, he “pleaded with the Eternal on behalf of his wife” (Gen. 25:21). God answers his plea and they soon become parents of twins. Isaac’s fidelity to Rebekah are admirable, especially in a culture where it was commonplace for men to take multiple wives and increase their progeny at almost any cost. He serves as an example not just for couples who stay together when they are not able to bear children, but for any man or woman who remains committed to his or her partner despite significant challenges.

The third distinguishing factor is that his name did not change. Whereas Abraham became Abraham, and Jacob became Israel, God did not need to change Isaac’s name. There was no need to redeem him and to transition him from a sinful life into a life of grace. It shows the constancy of his character all his life.

 

 

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