The Generations of Isaac

The contrast between Isaac and Jacob is remarkable. Isaac is taken to the mountain and nearly sacrificed. Then after Abraham receives him back from the dead (as it were), Isaac has a great life.

• He remains in the land.
• He faces very little conflict.
• And he dies and is buried in the land.

Isaac is the son of promise – once he returns from death, he lives comfortably in the land.

Jacob on the other hand must learn everything the hard way. He is aptly named Jacob (the one who grasps the heel – or to use the English equivalent – the one who pulls the leg: if you ask someone “are you pulling my leg?” you are asking them “are you deceiving me?”)

But God's purpose with Jacob is to show us that God trains his son through discipline. God disciplines his son and teaches him his paths. That is why we rejoice even under the discipline of God, because his discipline shows us that he cares for us.