Faith of Isaac

Faith of Isaac is part of a series of devotions on

Hebrews 11 called the Lonely Road of Faith.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Hebrews 11:20

28. Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:29Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee. . . .

39. And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;40And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
Genesis 27:28-29 & 39-40

Faith of Isaac

It is interesting to note that the Isaac's faith is included in the Great Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. We know that even though God promised to fulfill his covenant with Abraham through Jacob, Isaac favored his son, Esau. However, when the blessings to his sons were given, the blessing he thought he was giving to Esau was given to Isaac instead.

Couldn't he just have blessed Esau with the same blessing, and revoked the blessing from Jacob? Hebrews 11:20 tells us, By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. Isaac's faith in God and His promises prevented him from revoking the blessing from Isaac and giving it to Esau.

Perhaps Isaac remembered that God had promised to fulfill His promises through Isaac, and he understood that God had intervened so that Jacob would receive the blessing promising the servitude of all people to him.

Faith in God does not just mean that God will bless us by answering all of our prayers as we intend or desire them to be granted. God is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, no one can thwart His will.

How strong is your faith? Do you have the faith of Isaac that understands that God is bringing His will to pass when your prayers are not answered as you intend them to be answered? Is your faith strong enough to truly believe that God's answers to your prayers are better for you that those you desired?

Think of this simple phrase as you go about your duties this day.