By Faith Isaac
Lesson by Bobby Stafford, church of Christ at Granby, MO

Faith Is Not Perfection

When we think of Hebrews 11 and the heroes of faith, Isaac might not be the first name that comes to mind. Yet Hebrews 11:20 declares, “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.” This passage reminds us that faith does not demand perfection. Isaac was far from flawless. He made serious mistakes—favoritism, stubbornness, and a reluctance to submit to God’s revealed will. And yet, despite his shortcomings, he is still honored for an act of faith. That gives hope to every imperfect servant of God striving to do His will.

God’s Promises to Isaac

In Genesis 26, God reaffirmed to Isaac the promises He had made to Abraham: a great nation, a special land, and a seed through whom all nations would be blessed. These weren’t vague hopes; they were divine certainties. Isaac heard these promises directly from the Lord. But later, when it came time to bless his sons, he struggled to align his will with God's. Despite being told that the older, Esau, would serve the younger, Jacob (Genesis 25:23), Isaac tried to resist that plan. He wanted his favored son, Esau, to inherit the blessings. Like many today, Isaac wanted God’s blessings on his own terms.

Isaac’s Favoritism and the Household Divide

The household of Isaac was marked by division and favoritism. Isaac favored Esau, the rugged hunter, while Rebekah favored Jacob, the quiet homebody. This emotional split led to deception, mistrust, and spiritual blindness—both literal and figurative. Isaac’s plan to bless Esau secretly, even after knowing God’s will, revealed a stubborn heart. But Rebekah’s counter-plan—deceiving her husband to ensure Jacob received the blessing—was equally flawed. Rather than trust God to fulfill His promise, she took matters into her own hands.

The Deception and the Blessing

Genesis 27 records the painful deceit carried out by Jacob and Rebekah. Jacob, disguised in Esau’s clothes and covered with goat hair, lied directly to his blind father. Isaac, suspicious but uncertain, finally gave the full blessing to Jacob. The moment Esau returned, the truth was revealed. Isaac trembled violently, realizing what had happened. But here’s the key: he did not retract the blessing. He said firmly, “Indeed, he shall be blessed.” At that moment, Isaac surrendered to God’s will. Though he had tried to resist it, he now accepted that God’s plan was not going to change.

Faith Realized Through Repentance

Isaac’s trembling and final affirmation show repentance. His stubbornness gave way to faith. He accepted that Jacob was the chosen one. Later, in Genesis 28, Isaac sent Jacob away with a full heart, blessing him and affirming the promises made to Abraham. Isaac’s faith finally triumphed. Though flawed, he ended up on God’s side—submitting to the will of the Almighty, even when it went against his own desires.

God’s Will Cannot Be Thwarted

One of the great lessons from Isaac’s story is this: God’s will cannot be changed by man. Isaac tried. Rebekah tried. Esau tried. Jacob even tried to get what was already promised through deceit. But in the end, it was God’s way that stood firm. As Isaiah 46:10 says, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.” Our role is not to resist or rewrite God’s plan but to align our hearts with it, even when it is hard.

Faith Means Surrender

True faith—like Isaac eventually demonstrated—requires surrender. Isaac had to abandon his personal desire for Esau and acknowledge that God's plan was to bless Jacob. That is what Hebrews 11 commends. Faith is not mere belief; it is submitting to what God has spoken. When Isaac finally blessed Jacob and Esau “concerning things to come,” he was trusting the future to God’s revealed plan.

Doing God’s Will, Not Ours

The lesson from Isaac is clear: we are not here to do our own will, but God’s. Like Jesus, we must say, “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Heaven is not for the self-willed or the proud, but for those who humbly obey God. Isaac learned this the hard way. He repented, changed course, and placed his faith in the promises of God—even when it meant admitting he was wrong.

Sermon Outline: By Faith Isaac

1. Introduction
   • Hebrews 11:20 – Faith in things to come
   • Isaac as an imperfect example of growing faith
2. God’s Promises Reaffirmed
   • Genesis 26:1–5 – Promises given to Isaac
   • Isaac’s early exposure to God’s providence (Mount Moriah)
3. Favoritism and Family Division
   • Genesis 25:27–28 – Favoring Esau over Jacob
   • The dangers of partiality
4. God’s Will vs. Man’s Will
   • Genesis 25:23 – Prophecy of the younger ruling the older
   • Isaac’s resistance to God’s revealed plan
5. Deception and Consequences
   • Genesis 27 – Jacob and Rebekah’s deceit
   • Moral failures of all parties involved
6. Faith Through Repentance
   • Genesis 27:33 – Isaac trembles and submits
   • Genesis 28:1–4 – Isaac blesses Jacob in faith
7. Application
   • Faith includes submission and trust in God’s Word
   • We must surrender our desires to follow God’s will

Call to Action

Let us learn from Isaac’s journey of faith. He made mistakes, showed favoritism, and resisted God’s plan. But in the end, he surrendered. He repented. And God included him in the great Hall of Faith. Today, we too must examine ourselves. Are we doing God’s will or our own? Are we resisting His Word in some area of our lives? God’s blessings come not through self-will but through humble obedience. If you need to return to God, now is the time to act—believe, repent, confess, and be baptized. Obey His will and receive His promises.

Scripture References

• Hebrews 11:20
• Genesis 25:23
• Genesis 25:27–28
• Genesis 26:1–5
• Genesis 27
• Genesis 28:1–4, 12–22
• Malachi 1:2–3
• Luke 22:42
• Isaiah 46:10
• Matthew 7:21
• John 6:38