Genesis 21:1-8: "1 And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. 2 For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. 3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him--whom Sarah bore to him--Isaac. 4 Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, 'God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.' 7 She also said, 'Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.' 8 So the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the same day that Isaac was weaned."
Sarah conceives and bears Abraham a son in their old age. Abraham is 100 years old, and Sarah is 90 years old. One certainly does not hear of people in that age group having children. Therefore, this child brings much joy to his parents. He is even named Isaac, which means "he laughs." And so, God gives Sarah a cause to laugh, and all those who hear of it, will laugh with her.
One can't help but notice the similarities between Sarah and the Blessed Virgin. Both have miracle births. Both proclaim the good things that will happen to them on account of their baby boy. In Sarah's words, we can see the foundation of the Blessed Virgin Mary's words recorded in the Magnificat. There are also similarities between Sarah and the Virgin's relative Elizabeth. Both give birth in their old age, when they are barren.
Comparisons can also be made between Isaac and the baby Jesus. They are both the firstborn son. They both have the birthright from their fathers. They are both circumcised on the eighth day and then weaned by their mothers. But most importantly they are both the children of the promise. Their births fulfill prophecy and promise. Isaac is therefore, a prefigurement of our Lord Jesus. We can especially see this in Genesis 22, the next chapter, where Abraham in obeying our Lord's command offers up his son, his only son as a sacrifice. Unfortunately this lectionary omits this reading from Genesis 22. But in it, we see the crucifixion and our atonement. We see the faith of Abraham in the resurrection, for this is why he does not hesitate to offer up his son, even though he is stopped before going through with it. We also see in the Genesis 22 narrative, the obedience of the son, Isaac, to his father. Isaac is silent in all of this, only asking where the sacrifice is.
Our Lord also goes to the cross silently, in obedience to the Father's will, and out of His love for us, in order that He might deliver us from our sins and trespasses.
God be with you!
Deacon Dulas
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