Catholic Typology
Jesus the new Isaac
Matthew 4:17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Isaac | Jesus | |
Birth announced | by God to Abraham (Gen 17:15-16) | by angel Gabriel to Mary (Lk 1:26-31) |
Son of a covenant promise | Abraham's offspring (Gen 17:19) would possess the land of Canaan, kings would come (Gen 17:6-8) and all nations would be blessed (Gen 22:18) | from David's offspring an eternal kingdom would be established (2 Sam 7:12-16 & Lk 1:32-33) fulfilling Abraham's covenant promise of worldwide blessings |
Miracle pregnancy of mother | Sarah was past childbearing age (Gen 17:17-19) | Mary, the new Sarah was a virgin (Lk 1:34-35) |
Beloved son | of Abraham (Gen 22:2) | of God the Father (Mt 4:17) |
Sacrificed to God | to test Abraham's faith (Gen 22:1-2) | for our salvation (1 Jn 4:10) |
Sacrifice occured on same mountain | at Calvary / Golgotha (Mk 15:22) outside Jerusalem's city gates (Heb 13:11-12) | |
Carried the wood for the sacrifice | laid on hom by Abraham (Gen 22:6) | his own cross (Mt 27:32) |
God provided the lamb for the sacrifice | answer given by Abraham when asked about the lamb (Gen 22:8) | he is the lamb (Jn 1:29) |
Freely cooperated in the sacrifice | allowed Abraham to bind him and lay him on the altar (Gen 22:9) | freely laid down his life for us (Jn 10:11,18) |
Head in thorns | the horns of the ram sacrificed were caught in a bush (Gen 22:13) | the crown of thorns (Mt 27:29) |
Resurrected after the sacrifice | Abraham had faith that God would raise Isaac from the dead after the sacrifice (Gen 22:5); Heb 11:17-19) | he rose from the dead on the third day (Mk 16:1-8) |
Bridegroom whose father, through an advocate, provided gifts for the bride | Abraham sent his senior servant with many gifts to choose a bride (Rebekah) for his son (Gen 24:2-27) | God the Father sent the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) with his gifts (1 Cor 12:8-10) to the bride (the Church) for his Son (Acts 2:4) |
Spousal love of bridegroom | for Rebekah and he was loyal to her (Gen 24:67) | for the Church (2 Cor 11:2) |
Birth announced: by God to Abraham (Gen 17:15-16); by angel Gabriel to Mary (Lk 1:26-31)
Son of a covenant promise: Abraham's offspring through Isaac (Gen 17:19) would possess the land of Canaan, kings would come (Gen 17:6-8) and all nations would be blessed (Gen 22:18); from David's offspring Jesus an eternal kingdom would be established (2 Sam 7:12-16 & Lk 1:32-33) fulfilling Abraham's covenant promise of worldwide blessings
Miracle pregnancy of mother: Sarah was past childbearing age (Gen 17:17-19); Mary, the new Sarah was a virgin (Lk 1:34-35)
Genesis 22:1-18 The Sacrifice
Sacrificed to God: Isaac to test Abraham's faith (Gen 22:1-2); Jesus for our salvation (1 Jn 4:10)
Sacrifice occurred on same mountain: at Mount Moriah (Gen 22:2) site of the Temple in Jerusalem (2 Chr 3:1); at Calvary / Golgotha (Mk 15:22) outside Jerusalem's city gates (Heb 13:11-12)
Freely cooperated in the sacrifice: Isaac allowed Abraham to bind him and lay him on the altar (Gen 22:9); Jesus freely laid down his life for us (Jn 10:11,18)
Head in thorns: the horns of the ram sacrificed were caught in a bush (Gen 22:13); Jesus had a crown of thorns (Mt 27:29)
Resurrected: Abraham had faith that God would raise Isaac from the dead after the sacrifice (Gen 22:5); Heb 11:17-19); Jesus rose from the dead on the third day (Mk 16:1-8)
Genesis 24 The Bridegroom
Gifts for the bride: Abraham sent his senior servant with many gifts to choose a bride (Rebekah) for his son Isaac (Gen 24:2-27); God the Father sent the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) with his gifts (1 Cor 12:8-10) to the bride (the Church) for his Son Jesus (Acts 2:4)
Spousal love: Isaac for Rebekah and was loyal to her (Gen 24:67); Jesus for the Church (2 Cor 11:2)