i.to critically analyse the faith passed onto Isaac,
ii.to enlighten us on the blessings of Isaac to his sons and
iii.to inspire us on the importance of prophetic prayers for our children at old age.
Isaac was the promised child of God to Abraham and Sarah. However, the inquiry of Isaac in Gen 22:7 suggests that Abraham his father had influenced him in deep faith. This clearly manifests in Isaac's blessing his sons, which could be seen as prophecies and foretelling of what they shall become in the future.
1. Critically study Gen 22:7 and analyse the faith of Isaac in your own understanding.
2. From Gen 27:27-29 and 39-40 analyse the blessings of Isaac to his sons. Are the blessings prophetic or just ordinary prayers? What can we learn from this for our old age?
3. How did Isaac and Rebecca resolve the impending dangerous conflict between their sons because of Isaac’s blessings? Gen 27:41-45; 28:5. What lessons can we derive from this?
4. As Christians, how best can we pass on the faith to the coming generation beginning from our households? Deut. 6:6-7; Pro. 19:18; 22:6; Col 3:21.
Isaac as the first beneficiary of the Abrahamic faith lived by the faith until the end. He left a legacy of blessings to his children. As Christians, we must uphold this legacy and impart on our children the faith of our fathers.
Keep the faith and pass on the faith.
Gal. 4: 28 "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise".