"Figuratively
speaking, he did received him back", that is, by way of a symbol and type of
the resurrection. Put to death by his father's zeal, he came back to life at
the word of the one who prevented the slaughter. In him the type of the saving
passion was also prefigured. Hence the Lord also said to the Jews, "Your
father Abraham rejoiced at the prospect of seeing my day; he saw it and was
glad." Interpretation of Hebrews 11,
Theodoret, Bishop of Cry (Cyrrhus)
393-466AD,
commenting on Hebrews 11:19
Comparisons between the "offering up" of Isaac in
sacrifice found in Genesis 22:1-18, know in Hebrew as the "akeidah" [the
binding] and the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ:
- Isaac and Jesus were "only, beloved" sons of a
righteous father; Ishmael had been sent away in Genesis 21:14 [Genesis 22:2].
- Both Isaac and Jesus are identified as the "son of
Abraham" [see Genesis 21:3; 22:2; Matthew 1:1].
- Both were offered in sacrifice [Genesis 22:2; John 1:29; Matthew
27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33; John 11:5019:17-18].
- The sacrifice was offered in the land of Moriah – Jerusalem [Genesis 22:2; 2 Chronicles 3:1; Matthew 16:21-23].
- Both sons carried the wood for their own sacrifice [Genesis 22:6;
John 19:17]
- Both were "bound" and placed on top of the wood
[Genesis 22:9; John 19:18-19; Philippians 2:8].
- Both willingly allow themselves to be offered in sacrifice
[Genesis 22:7-8; Colossians 2:6-8].
- Both sons were "resurrected" or "given back" the their
fathers on the third day. Isaac was essentially "dead" to his grieving father
when God commanded him to sacrifice his son. On the "third day" God provided
another sacrifice and his son was restored. God's son died on the Cross and
was resurrected on the third day! [Genesis 22:4; Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20; 19;
Mark 9:31; 10:34; Luke 9:22; 18:22; 24:7, 44-47; Acts 10:40; 1 Corinthians
15:4].
Michal Hunt, Copyright © 2000, 2007 Agape Bible
Study. Permissions All Rights Reserved.