The text tells us how the birth of Isaac came about. He was born just as God had promised. Abraham was obedient to God and circumcised his son on the eighth day, naming him Isaac, or laughter, as God had said. Sarah declares that God had made laughter for her and that all that would hear that she had a baby in her old age would laugh as well. Who would have thought this could happen? The birth of Isaac not only fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham but taught Abraham many great spiritual truths. a. The Nature of God. First, we see that God is not in a rush to get things done like we are. For a timeless being, time does not constrain him or cause him concern. We need to think this way too. Isaiah 28:16 says, “therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ Second, God is omnipotent. Abraham was old and Sarah was past the age of childbearing and was barren. The actions of pagan kings and Abraham and Sarah themselves could not stop God. Nothing is too difficult for God and with him all things are possible. Third, God is faithful to his word. God said that Sarah would have a son at a certain time. What happened? Sarah had a son at a certain time. Fourth, God has made everything for a specific time. There is no such thing as chance. God’s plans are not contingent on the actions of people. We see God saying in chapters 17, 18, and 21 that Sarah would have Isaac at a set or appointed time. You can never go outside the plan of God. You might rebel against his character, but even the rebellious acts of men are in the plan of God. b. The Coming of Christ. Let’s take a moment and think about how the birth of Isaac foreshadowed the birth of Christ. God created this whole scenario to teach God’s people and prepare them for the coming of the Son. First, Isaac and Jesus were children of God’s promise. Remember Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Second, there was a long passage of time between the promise and its fulfillment. The people were to wait to see the promise come true. Third, both births were miraculous. Isaac came from a woman that was too old to have children. Jesus was born of a virgin. Fourth, both Sarah and Mary asked a question of “how could this be?” when they were told of their impending births. Both received and answer confirming the almighty power of God. Fifth, we go back to the idea of time. Isaac was born at the set time and Jesus was born in the fullness of time as Paul says in Galatians 4:4. Sixth, both of their names, their gender, and some of who they would be were announced before their conception. Seventh, Isaac was the laughter, the joy of Abraham. God the Father said of his Son, “This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”