When Abraham was 75 years old, God led him to make a massive change in life, leaving his home and moving to a foreign land. With this change came the promise from God that he would be a blessing to the nations through his descendants. At the time Abraham and Sarah were childless and Sarah was well past the age of child-bearing. It was twenty-five years before God fulfilled his promise and Issac was born. Twenty-five years!!
Peter Scazzero says that, ““No one enjoys waiting. But waiting for God is one of the central experiences of the Christian life. It is also one of the most difficult lessons to learn.” (Peter Sazzero, The Emotionally Healthy Leader, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2015, pg 282). In our instant culture, waiting is not considered a desirable character trait. Getting what we want and the sooner the better is what counts. However, to grow in faith and love requires a journey, often a long one as God works deeply into our hearts to effect a significant change in us.
If Isaac had been born within a few years of God’s promise, would he have been able to offer him as a sacrifice as he did after his birth? I doubt it. God took Abraham and Sarah on a journey that transformed them. They left Isaac, his descendants and us a legacy, a story of faithfulness that is a blessing to all of us.