God had promised Abraham that the world would be blessed through his descendants Genesis 12:1-3 . Isaac was born when Abraham was 100, and Sarah was 90, fulfilling the Lord’s pledge to Abraham 25 years earlier Genesis 21:1-8 . Isaac was Abraham and Sarah’s son and the second of Israel’s patriarchs.

When Isaac was young, God called Abraham to sacrifice his son. Isaac’s life was spared when God provided a ram to be offered in his place Genesis 22:1-24 . This substitution anticipated God providing his own Son, Jesus, as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Isaac eventually settled in the Philistine city of Gerar, where he became prosperous. He married Rebekah Genesis 24:1-66 , and after praying to God, Rebekah became pregnant and gave birth to twin boys Esau and Jacob. Esau, the oldest, gave up his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew Genesis 25:24-34 . Rebecca and Jacob fooled Isaac into blessing Jacob instead of the older brother Esau Genesis 27:1-40 . Isaac lived until 180 and had the most extended life of the three great patriarchs. His covenantal faithfulness is noted in the New Testament Acts 7:8 Romans 9:7 .

The Jerusalem Council

Neapolis in the Bible

Conquest of Canaan

David’s Kingdom

Egnation Way

The Greek Rule of the Jews