Isaac’s story is told in Genesis 17:15—35:29. He is also mentioned in Romans 9:7–10; Hebrews 11:17–20; James 2:21.
Isaac did not resist as his father prepared to sacrifice him
Genesis 22:1 Later on God tested Abraham’s faith and obedience. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” 2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will point out to you.”
Isaac must have been a youth at the time when Abraham was to sacrifice him to God. Yet there was no record of his struggling with his aged father in order not to be sacrificed. I believe that Isaac did not resist as his father prepared to sacrifice him. He too has accepted the fact that God’s commands have to be adhered to, no matter how difficult. He is willing to pay the cost so that someone else may walk right with God.
This is particular true of Christian ministry. Sometimes when one Christian obeys God, it not only costs that person something; it may also imply costs for a person close to him. For example, if your spouse is called to active church work, you have to pay the cost of spending less time with your spouse. If your spouse is called sacrificial giving of money, you may have to pay the cost of contributing more to the family or settling with a less comfortable lifestyle.
Are we willing to pay the cost so that someone may walk right with God?
Rather than stand his ground, Isaac found it easier to compromise or lie to avoid confrontations.
6So Isaac stayed in Gerar. 7 And when the men there asked him about Rebekah, he said, “She is my sister.” He was afraid to admit that she was his wife. He thought they would kill him to get her, because she was very beautiful.
Often it is easiest to lie to get out of a difficult or embarrassing situation. The Bible records such events to show us that even the patriarchs are not exempted from these mistakes. We should learn from their mistakes.
Is there a difficult situation you are in which you could get out more easily if you tell a lie? Rather than telling a lie, trust God to get you out of that situation and determine not to compromise.
He demonstrated great patience
Genesis 26:12 That year Isaac’s crops were tremendous! He harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him. 13He became a rich man, and his wealth only continued to grow. 14He acquired large flocks of sheep and goats, great herds of cattle, and many servants. Soon the Philistines became jealous of him, 15and they filled up all of Isaac’s wells with earth. These were the wells that had been dug by the servants of his father, Abraham. 16And Abimelech asked Isaac to leave the country. “Go somewhere else,” he said, “for you have become too rich and powerful for us.” 17 So Isaac moved to the Gerar Valley and lived there instead. 18He reopened the wells his father had dug, which the Philistines had filled in after Abraham’s death. Isaac renamed them, using the names Abraham had given them. 19His shepherds also dug in the Gerar Valley and found a gushing spring. 20But then the local shepherds came and claimed the spring. “This is our water,” they said, and they argued over it with Isaac’s herdsmen. So Isaac named the well “Argument,” because they had argued about it with him. 21Isaac’s men then dug another well, but again there was a fight over it. So Isaac named it “Opposition.” 22Abandoning that one, he dug another well, and the local people finally left him alone. So Isaac called it “Room Enough,” for he said, “At last the Lord has made room for us, and we will be able to thrive.”
Here Isaac demonstrated great patience. He was willing to step aside to avoid confrontation. This takes humility as well.
Is there a conflict situation you are in? Why don’t you try stepping aside to avoid the confrontation and leave the matter with God. Isaac did the same because he believes that God will take care of his interests. And God did, with a well that Isaac later called “Room Enough”.