Isaac and the Last Days

The New Testament uses Isaac as a symbol of one who enjoys the messianic banquet in the last days, through faith (Matt 8:11). Jesus used the traditional formula God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (compare Acts 3:13; Heb 11:8–9) as evidence of human resurrection (Matt 22:32; Mark 12:26; Luke 13:28; 20:37). God used the formula to speak to Peter.

Peter included Isaac in the sacred history, referring to the covenant of circumcision (Acts 7:8) and the revelation to Moses at the burning bush (Acts 7:32). In Romans, Paul uses the story of Isaac and Ishmael Gen 21:12 to illustrate the doctrine of election (Rom 9:7). Similarly, the revelation to Rebekah showed God would use Jacob, the younger brother, and not Esau, the older (Rom 9:10–11). Despite his harsh words to the Galatians, Paul counted them as children of promise in the line of Isaac (Gal 4:28).