Smoodock's Blog

The name, Isaac, means laughter or to laugh. Abraham’s son is so named, because he laughed at the very thought of him begetting a son at the age of 100 or Sarah giving birth at the age of 90 (Genesis 17:17). The Lord told Abraham that he was about to have a son by Sarah (Genesis 17:16), which causes Abraham’s laughter. At first one might think Abraham thought the Lord was joking, but the context shows Abraham laughed because he knew God was serious, and the very thought of it occurring brought the laughter. Therefore, the Lord told Abraham his son’s name would be Isaac (Genesis 17:19).

The very idea of giving birth at the age of 90 also brought laughter to Sarah, when she heard the news (Genesis 18:2). At first Sarah denied laughing (Genesis 18:15), but later she admitted that the Lord made her laugh at the prospect of bearing a son at her age, and at his birth she claimed the whole world will laugh with her, when they hear of such a thing (Genesis 21:6-7).

One might wonder about Isaac’s importance as one of the three patriarchs of Israel, but that would be foolish, understandable perhaps, but foolish. Folks have trouble seeing the value of Isaac’s life. They have no trouble noticing the value of Abraham’s life, vis-à-vis walking with God. Moreover, although Jacob is more controversial, being more error prone, folks are usually able to understand the contribution Jacob’s life brings to Israel. However, what did Isaac ever do that was of any real value, vis-à-vis what did he contribute to Israel’s foundational understanding of their purpose as the nation the Lord built?

If Israel truly understood Isaac’s value as one of their patriarchs, I don’t believe they would have rebelled against the Lord. Abraham walked with the Lord and believed him. Israel began to walk with God under Joshua, but they failed to keep their eyes on the goal, so they drifted. Jacob stood on the promises of God, and so did Israel, until they drifted away and presumed upon the promises God made them. Isaac was the middle man who held it all together. He RESTED in the promises of God. He never built one altar or dug one well, that his father, Abraham didn’t build or dig first (Genesis 26:25; cp. 21:30, 33). In other words, Isaac raised up Abraham’s altars that were torn down and dug out the wells, which his father dug first, but were backfilled by the enemy. Isaac kept his eye upon the goal and didn’t drift away from the Lord, and he gave his son, Jacob, something solid to stand on.