By Faith, Isaac

By Faith, Isaac
(Hebrews 11:20)

Introduction
Hebrews 11:20 records Isaac blessing Jacob and Esau “concerning things to come.” This moment reveals how faith yields to God’s revealed will and speaks blessing in line with His promises.

God’s Covenant Reaffirmed to Isaac
God repeated to Isaac the covenant sworn to Abraham: He would remain with him, bless him, multiply his descendants as the stars, grant the land, and bring blessing to all nations through his seed (Genesis 26:1–5). Isaac lived within that promise. He had been spared on Moriah and had witnessed God provide the ram. His life stood inside the stream of promise flowing from Abraham toward a future he could not yet see. Those assurances were meant to govern his choices as a husband and father.

Two Sons and a Revealed Direction
Rebekah received a clear word from the Lord: the older would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23). Esau arrived rugged and red; Jacob followed, grasping his heel. Their births previewed their story. Scripture later affirms the covenant line through Jacob (Malachi 1:2–3). God disclosed His choice in advance so the family would align their hearts and decisions with His purpose.

A Home Pulled by Preference and Scheme
Isaac favored Esau; Rebekah favored Jacob. That preference created tension. Isaac moved to bless Esau, pressing toward an outcome God had not ordained (Genesis 27:1–4). Rebekah and Jacob reacted with deception, dressing Jacob in Esau’s garments and placing goat skins on his hands and neck. Jacob told direct lies and received the blessing through intrigue (Genesis 27:18–29). The tent filled with sorrow. Esau returned, discovered the deception, and cried out in grief.

The Turning Point of Submission
When Isaac understood what had happened, he trembled and said, “I have blessed him—indeed he shall be blessed” (Genesis 27:33). That sentence marks his surrender to God’s decree. Isaac then spoke over Esau a real yet lesser future, including seasons of service and moments of loosening the yoke (Genesis 27:39–40). Hebrews remembers this scene as faith because Isaac yielded his will to God’s word and blessed “concerning things to come.”

Heaven Confirms the Path
As Jacob fled, God stood above the ladder in his dream and restated the Abrahamic covenant: land, innumerable offspring, universal blessing through his seed, and divine presence (Genesis 28:12–15). Jacob awakened to worship and vowed allegiance (Genesis 28:16–22). Later, Isaac publicly charged Jacob and reaffirmed the covenant blessing, aligning himself openly with God’s plan (Genesis 28:1–4). Peace arrives when a father’s voice agrees with heaven.

Faith’s Lesson for Disciples
Faith listens when God has spoken. Faith sets personal preference aside and orders the family, the future, and the blessing according to Scripture. Isaac’s journey teaches that spiritual leadership stands tallest when it submits. God’s promises move forward through the line He appoints, culminating in Christ, the singular Seed through whom all families of the earth are blessed (Galatians 3:16). The heart that yields to this King speaks blessing that matches His word.

By Faith, Isaac Sermon Outline:
(Hebrews 11:20)

I. The Context of Isaac’s Faith

• Hebrews 11 places Isaac among the heroes of faith, showing that even flawed people can act in faith when they trust God’s word.

• God reaffirmed His covenant with Isaac, promising His presence, land, descendants, and blessing for all nations (Genesis 26:1–5).

• Isaac’s life teaches that faith is often forged through correction, surrender, and submission to divine will.

II. God’s Revelation Before the Birth of the Sons

• God told Rebekah, “The older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23). This was a clear declaration of His sovereign choice.

• Isaac and Rebekah both knew this prophecy, but Isaac struggled to accept it. Faith is tested when God’s choice opposes human preference.

• God’s purpose cannot be changed by human will (Romans 9:10–13). His promises are established by His word, not by birth order or tradition.

III. Isaac’s Preference for Esau

• “Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob” (Genesis 25:28). Parental favoritism caused division in the family.

• Isaac’s personal affection clouded his obedience to God’s revelation. He sought to bless Esau, ignoring God’s will.

• Spiritual blindness paralleled his physical blindness. He failed to see that the covenant line would continue through Jacob.

IV. Rebekah and Jacob’s Deception

• Rebekah overheard Isaac’s plan to bless Esau and sought to secure the blessing through deceit (Genesis 27:5–17).

• Instead of trusting God’s timing, she took matters into her own hands, instructing Jacob to disguise himself as Esau.

• Jacob lied repeatedly, deceiving his father to receive what God had already promised (Genesis 27:18–29).

• The household was divided by manipulation. Though the blessing came, sin brought fear, mistrust, and separation.

V. Isaac’s Trembling Realization

• When Esau returned and the deception was exposed, Isaac trembled exceedingly (Genesis 27:33). He realized he had opposed God’s will.

• His words, “Indeed he shall be blessed,” revealed surrender. Isaac acknowledged God’s sovereign plan and repented of his own stubbornness.

• Esau’s bitter cry expressed regret but not repentance (Genesis 27:34–40). His grief was over loss, not sin.

VI. God Confirms His Promise to Jacob

• As Jacob fled from Esau’s anger, God appeared to him in a dream of a ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28:12–15).

• God reaffirmed the covenant promises—land, descendants, worldwide blessing, and divine protection.

• Jacob awoke in reverence, vowing loyalty to God and naming the place Bethel (Genesis 28:16–22).

• Isaac later publicly confirmed God’s will, blessing Jacob and aligning himself with the covenant (Genesis 28:1–4).

VII. The Faith of Isaac Explained

• Hebrews 11:20 commends Isaac for blessing Jacob and Esau “concerning things to come.”

• His act of faith was his final submission to God’s revealed will. He blessed both sons with full confidence in God’s promises for their futures.

• Faith trusts God even when personal preference must die. Isaac’s faith matured through repentance and obedience.

VIII. Lessons for Christians Today

• We must align our will with God’s word and refuse to force our own desires above His commands.

• Favoritism and human manipulation destroy homes and faith; godly leadership demands fairness and patience.

• Faith requires trusting God’s timing rather than taking matters into our own hands.

• True faith sees Christ as the fulfillment of the covenant, the Seed through whom all nations are blessed (Galatians 3:16).

• Believers today are called to yield their will, trust God’s plan, and live by faith that speaks blessing in harmony with Scripture.

IX. Application of Faith

• Faith surrenders control and allows God to fulfill His purposes in His way.

• Faith accepts correction, learning from failure as Isaac did.

• Faith looks beyond the present toward “things to come,” the promises fulfilled in Christ.

• Faith brings peace when the believer chooses obedience over personal preference.

Call to Action
Isaac’s life teaches that faith grows through surrender. He wanted things his own way until he realized that only God’s way stands. We too must yield to the word of God. Submit your will to His. Believe His promises. Repent of sin, confess Christ as Lord, and be baptized into His death to walk in newness of life. God blesses those who trust and obey His will completely.

Key Takeaways

• God’s covenant to Isaac anchors life and leadership (Genesis 26:1–5).

• God disclosed the family’s direction before birth (Genesis 25:23).

• Faith yields when God speaks and then blesses accordingly (Hebrews 11:20; Genesis 27:33).

• God confirmed the covenant line to Jacob and promised His presence (Genesis 28:12–15).

• Christ is the promised Seed; all blessing centers in Him (Galatians 3:16).

Scripture Reference List

• Hebrews 11:20 – Isaac’s faith seen in blessing concerning future things.

• Genesis 26:1–5 – Covenant reaffirmed: presence, land, descendants, universal blessing.

• Genesis 25:23 – Divine revelation: the older will serve the younger.

• Genesis 27:1–40 – Blessing scene; Isaac’s surrender; Esau’s outcome.

• Genesis 28:1–4, 12–22 – Isaac’s charge; ladder vision; covenant restated; Jacob’s vow.

• Malachi 1:2–3 – Covenant trajectory through Jacob.

• Galatians 3:16 – Christ identified as the Seed of promise.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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