²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.

Legacy of faith becomes characteristic of Abraham’s son, Isaac. Compared to his father Abraham and his son Jacob, much less is known about Isaac. Most of what we know is about his finding and marrying Rebekah (Genesis 24), his inheritance (all that Abraham had—Genesis 25), the birth of his two conflicting sons, Jacob and Esau—and the promise passed on to him. It was a continuation and confirmation of the same promise to Abraham, innumerable descendants, the land and the blessing (Gen 26:3-5).

At this point in the biblical story, the promise to Isaac is not due to any merit of his own, but clearly is due to Abraham’s response to God’s promise, “…because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws” (Gen 26:5). How then is it by obedience, when clearly the righteousness credited to him was based on his faith, not his works? The answer lies in the translation of that verse. The words “obeyed Me” can be better translated, “hearkened to my voice.” Abraham heard the voice of God promising him innumerable descendants and he listened attentively, and dared to believe with a genuine faith (Gen 15), and then later demonstrated the genuineness of his faith by obediently taking Isaac up to the point of sacrificing him. It was because of the obedience of Abraham’s faith, that God passed the promise down to his progeny.

Isaac then expressed his faith by blessing both Jacob and Esau. You will remember in Genesis 27 how Jacob deceived Isaac into blessing him, instead of Esau, the oldest son. Then when Isaac found this out, at Esau’s insistence, he blessed Esau as well. The story is worthy of a modern mystery novel with its human foibles, passions, betrayal and intrigue. God, as He often does, uses imperfect people. But, He also recognizes faith even in the dredges of humanity. Sovereignly, God used the deception of Jacob to pass on the blessing and promise to Abraham through the line of Isaac, and then He also promised to give Esau innumerable descendants as well.

One would not normally think of faith when reading this story, but that is God’s assessment. Isaac, despite his naiveté, believed there was a blessing worth passing down to his son, that through him and his son, the promise to Abraham would result in innumerable descendants living in the promised land. Yes, Isaac was a man of faith, who did not resort to the idolatry of the surrounding people, but believed in the God of Abraham along with Jacob and Esau.

Lord, I am so grateful that You see faith even in the midst of a life that is struggling. You recognize the seed of belief in You and in Your goodness.