God promised a son.

This final guarantee of the covenant of circumcision walloped Abraham (Genesis 17:12-17). He fell flat on his face. Then—he laughed out loud. Abraham was not mocking God. In fact, he was overjoyed, awestruck and somewhat humored. He and Sarah were very old. Bringing a child into the world was a stupendous miracle.

This was not the first time God had promised him a son. The couple had waited—patiently. Yet, the days had grown into weeks; weeks to months; months to years. Sarah had suffered most (Genesis 16). Abraham made the serious mistake; he agreed to the adulterous relationship with Hagar. What was the result? Not happiness. Sarah’s suffering only intensified. It spread to Hagar, the baby and Abraham. The elderly couple changed into a divided family.

The past melted away in a moment. Listening to God, Abraham grew profoundly relieved that God was giving him a second chance.

Still, the present reality of Hagar, Ishmael and Sarah raced through his mind. Sarah remained barren while Ishmael took his first step. Sarah held no child as Abraham taught Ishmael to manage the flocks. Sarah withered through her 80s as Ishmael grew strong—a sapling against the wind. The centenarian made an appeal for Hagar’s son: “O that Ishmael might live before thee!” (Genesis 17:18). Abraham did not doubt God. He yearned for his son. Still on his knees, he pleaded with God. He loved Ishmael. The boy brought to Abraham the joys and satisfactions of fatherhood. He earnestly desired that God also favor this son. With another son coming, Ishmael’s future success was a major concern to his father.

God quickly answered Abraham: “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him” (verse 19). God was emphatic. Ishmael was not the son of promise. Abraham could not escape this reality. It was Sarah’s destiny to give birth to the heir of God’s choosing. Age simply did not matter. God never backed away from His supernatural pledge. His decree stood firm. Sarah’s unborn son would take Abraham’s place as the holder of the promises—the possessor of the covenant. God wanted to make it clear: Nothing is impossible for God.

God’s sole leader on Earth had a valuable lesson to learn. God showed him reality from His point of view. The Almighty God was going to do things His way. As an encouragement, God even named Abraham and Sarah’s forthcoming son for them. He called him Isaac, meaning laughter. Abraham had laughed. A son named laughter would ensure that real joy returned and remained with this nation-founding family!

Ishmael Blessed

Even though God put the focus on Isaac, He did not ignore Ishmael. While Isaac was to inherit the rich blessings of the covenant, Ishmael was allotted other blessings from God (Genesis 17:20). As a son of Abraham, he shared in the promise of multiple descendants. In fact, God planned to make him into a great nation. Ishmael became the progenitor of the Bedouins of Arabia. He fathered 12 princes—a testament to his royal ancestry.

It is important to note that the Bible speaks well of Ishmael. The young man remained in a loving and loyal relationship with his father. He was a participant of the covenant. Moses makes it clear that he was circumcised the same day as Abraham, by Abraham (verses 23-26). There is ample evidence that Ishmael was bonded with his brother Isaac since both oversaw the burial of their father (Genesis 25:9). The fact that Ishmael worked with his brother is proof that there was no ill will between them.

Ishmael’s genealogy is recorded for us in Genesis 25:12-18. Verse 18 is not well translated. Basically, Moses tells us Ishmael and his descendents eventually settled northeast of the Egyptian border in the area now known as the Arabian Peninsula. In addition, the last part of the verse is most likely a statement about the national temperament of Ishmael’s progeny, not a restatement of his death. The Living Bible translates the end of this verse as, “And they were constantly at war with one another.” Knowing the tragic history of the Arabic peoples, this rendering makes the most sense. Moses was most likely showing that the fulfillment of the prophecy about Ishmael from Genesis 16:12 had begun.

Sarah Laughs

It is clear that God required Abraham to give Him his whole heart (Genesis 17:1). God expected Abraham to grow to a more perfect dedication. Even when Abraham was 100 years old, God still had work for him to do. The same was true for Sarah. She held a vital role in God’s plan. We must not forget that Sarah’s tests were equal to her husband’s.

Soon after the establishment of the circumcision covenant, the Eternal God appeared to Abraham in Mamre. It was a hot day. Abraham sat in the door of his tent seeking relief from the oppressive heat. Yet, when he saw Christ and the two accompanying angels coming toward him, he rushed to meet them. He bowed with the utmost respect. As an expression of sincere friendship, Abraham invited the traveling party to stop for some refreshment along their way (Genesis 18:1-5). The three stopped their trek, resting under the oaks near Abraham’s residence. Excited for the visit, the white-haired patriarch spun into action. He directed Sarah to make bread. He snatched one of his best calves from the herd and gave it to a servant to dress and roast. When all was ready, Abraham personally served the meal. Sarah remained behind in the tent—within earshot, of course.

The three inquired of Sarah’s whereabouts. Hearing the question, Sarah paid closer attention. She heard the Eternal speak up: “I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son” (verse 10). At this juncture of the history, Moses interrupts the flow of conversation by drawing attention to the fact that the couple was old and well past the time of child bearing. Moses is helping us to understand Sarah’s reaction to the word of God. Sarah laughed within herself. This was not good. Unlike her husband, her laughter came as the result of bitterness and scorn. Hearing the news, she scoffed and said to herself: “After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” (verse 12). It is obvious the long delay—the years of waiting for a child—had weakened Sarah’s faith.

Quickly the Eternal brought Sarah’s thoughts to light before Abraham (verses 13-14). Christ reminded the couple that nothing was too hard for God! This loving God exposed her lack of faith. Abraham’s queen had struggled with God’s promise. There was the matter with her Egyptian handmaid. She recognized her age and the desert in her womb. Bearing a child challenged her thinking. She knew that Abraham was more firm in his faith.

Caught up in the moment, Sarah forgot that she had remained hidden in the tent. She spoke out: “I laughed not”! The Eternal rebuked her mildly, “Nay; but thou didst laugh” (verse 15). Sarah learned a central lesson. The Eternal knew and read her thoughts. He knew her heart. Yet, the Eternal also encouraged her. It appeared that three travelers stopped by to bring them the good news of the coming birth. It was big news! The couple were definitely reassured that Sarah’s laughter would be turned to joy.

Isaac Is Born

The supernatural companions took leave of Abraham and Sarah’s hospitality. Following oriental custom, Abraham walked with them for a short space. During the walk, God revealed to him the plans for Sodom and Gomorrah. God included Abraham in His thinking to give the father of nations instruction in international relations—God’s way. Study verses 16 through 33 on your own. It reveals the depths of Abraham’s relationship with Christ. Notice especially that Abraham worked hard to understand God’s mind. He was not afraid to question God in a correct manner and with a right attitude. Also study on your own the stories of Lot’s difficult break with Sodom, and Abraham and Sarah’s journey into Gerar (Genesis 19-20). Both stories show us that we must battle our human weaknesses continually. True spiritual growth is difficult and generally only comes in small increments. The point is to continually be willing to go forward and to constantly make changes.

Moses tells us that within just a very short time of the making of the covenant, the Eternal visited Sarah as He had promised Abraham (Genesis 21:1-5). She conceived. Can you imagine the shock and excitement? Only those couples who have waited years for children can begin to grasp what went on during Sarah’s pregnancy. Isaac was born when Abraham was 100—Sarah 90. Sarah laughed again—out of sheer joy. She said: “God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me” (verse 6). What a great time for the couple.

There was rejoicing continually as Isaac grew to manhood. Abraham arranged a huge party when Sarah weaned Isaac. Moses called it a great feast. God had given him the desire of his heart. He wanted everyone possible to share his delight.

Sadly, the event ended up bittersweet. Ishmael, typical of an older brother, made fun of Isaac at the celebration. It would have been difficult for him not to be envious. Sarah took note, saw it as a threat to Isaac, and became angrier than a she bear over a tampered-with cub. She demanded that Ishmael and his mother be thrown out of the camp. Abraham’s heart broke. Moses says the incident was very grievous to Abraham (verse 11). He felt so much pain that God turned to him. The Eternal counseled Abraham to accommodate Sarah’s demand. Sending Ishmael away suited God’s purpose for Isaac. God promised to take care of and prosper Ishmael. With the deepest of sadness, Abraham sent his son away.

Sacrificing Isaac

Even after all this, Abraham still had more suffering to endure over a son. God was not finished testing this man. All of his former sorrow was preparation for a final gut-wrenching exam. The dark day came when God commanded: “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Mori’ah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall tell you” (Genesis 22:2; Revised Standard Version). Read every word God spoke: take; your son; whom you love; burn him as a sacrifice. Surely this sensitive man’s heart bled. Yet, as his habit was, Abraham did not argue with God. He did not question God as he did about Sodom. In respectful silence, he carried out his plan to obey—immediately! The very next day, he gathered up the necessary materials and set his face toward Moriah. God proved this man. He was passing the test with flying colors.

Here is a history of incredible faith. Moriah was a two-day journey from the family camp (verse 4). Nearing the place God had chosen, Abraham directed his servants to stay behind. He told them: “Stay here with the ass; I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you” (verse 5, rsv). We are all familiar with this history. Abraham fully intended to sacrifice his son. He could do this brutal act with full assurance that he would not lose Isaac. Why? Abraham believed that God would resurrect the boy (Hebrews 11:18-19). He assured his servants that the two of them would return after their time of worship. This is faith in action. Abraham knew without doubt that nothing was impossible for God.

It was Isaac who asked, “[W]here is the lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:7). Abraham assured his son: “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son” (verse 8, rsv). What an expression of faith. Abraham’s faith was so unyielding that he inspired his own son. Moses stated: “[S]o they went both of them together” (verse 8). Often we think about this sacrifice from only Abraham’s point of view. What about Isaac’s part in the sacrifice? He had to trust his own father to submit to such an ordeal. Abraham bound him, laid him on the wood, and was about to thrust a knife into him (verses 9-10). Can we imagine a faithless son agreeing to be bloodily sacrificed? No. Isaac faithfully submitted to God and Abraham.

God Intervenes

God stopped Abraham seconds before Isaac’s death. He commanded Abraham: “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me” (verse 12). The test was over. Abraham had proved his love, loyalty and obedience to God. No one or no thing would stand between him and God. From this moment forward, the promises to Abraham were made unconditional (verses 16-18). The entire world, and eventually the universe, will receive the benefits from Abraham’s selfless act. The promises made to Abraham are eternal.

We must not forget that this history of a man and his only son of promise was the pre-enactment of a far more supreme sacrifice conducted by God the Father with His only Son, Jesus Christ. Isaac is a type of Christ, who willingly gave Himself up to the Father to be a bloody sacrifice for all mankind. Each year at the Passover, we rehearse this heart-stopping, mind-jarring event.

How valuable is the sacrifice of God the Father to us? Matthew calls Jesus Christ the son of Abraham in the first verse of his Gospel.

Studying the life of Abraham and Isaac helps us gain deep insight into the Father and Christ, their emotion and their commitment to their plans for man. We dare not fall short in our understanding of what God and Christ are doing.