Seder 19: Gen 21---Isaac is Born

When Sarah was 90 and Abraham was 100 their son Isaac was born, just as God had promised. The name Isaac means "he laughs", and with his birth their previous laughter of incredulity (Gen 17:17; 18:12) was transformed into laughter of joy (Gen 21:6-7).  

Abraham had much for which to be thankful when he "called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God" at Beersheba (v 33).  God had told him that his family would become a great nation (Gen 12:2), one through whom all nations would be blessed (Gen 12:3).  Isaac's miraculous birth was an important part of this plan of God.  

Abraham would have had lots of questions about how God's plan would unfold, but he was becoming aware of the basic outlines of the Gospel.  

In Jerusalem several months before his death, Jesus said, ''Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day.  He saw it and was glad" (John 8:56).  Abraham had faith in God's promise, including the coming of a Redeemer.  

Those to whom Jesus was talking would not have had a problem with the idea that Abraham looked forward to the Messiah, but they questioned what Jesus was saying about himself, calling the time of the Messiah's coming "my day".  What connection did Jesus have with Abraham? (v 57)

Jesus answered, "Before Abraham was, I am" (v 58).  Jesus was saying that he was the Everlasting God made flesh.  We rejoice with Abraham in seeing the day of the Messiah.