The generations of Isaac

This is the account of Abraham's son Isaac. Abraham became the father of Isaac. Genesis 25:19 (NIV-Nearly Infallible Version ;) )

In Hebrew, "V'eleh toledot Yitzhak ben Avraham. Avraham holid et-Yitzhak" And these are the generations of Isaac, son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac.

Well, this is one instance where the NIV is fallible. And the NIV is not alone in its interesting translation of the Hebrew. Some translations take the word 'toledot' to mean 'line' or 'account' or 'records' or 'history'. Go with 'generations.' This word is significant in Genesis. Ten times this word is used in Genesis. It would not be a bad idea to think of Genesis as a record of generations. The generations of heaven and earth (2:4). The generations of Adam (5:1). The generations of Noah (6:9). The generations of the sons of Noah (10:1). The generations of Shem (11:10). The generations of Terah (11:27). The generations of Ishmael (25:12). The generations of Isaac (25:19). The generations of Esau (36:1, 9). The generations of Jacob (37:2).

A generation links the present with the past and the future. More than an accounting of who fathered whom, a generation encompasses people's lives. Father to son, mother to daughter, grandparent to grandchild. You might expect the generations of Isaaac to be about Isaac. Yet Isaac is almost lost among the stories concerning his famous father and famous sons. Yet of the three Patriarchs, he lived the longest (180 years)remained monogamous his entire life, and did not go down to Egypt. Isaac stayed in the land. Isaac was blessed by God abundantly and God made a covenant with him as well. Be that as it may, Isaac's story cannot be separated from his father or his sons.

From the beginning of this parsha, we are reminded again of Abraham. Isaac is first identified as the son of Abraham. Why then say Abraham begat Isaac? Isn't that redundant or at least obvious?

Well, yes and no. If Isaac is the son of Abraham, it stands to reason that Abraham begat Isaac. The Bible is known for economy of language. So when a detail is repeated it is
important to note it and examine it. So let us examine the text closely, you and I.

Firstly, just because a man is someone's son, doesn't necessarily mean that he is the birth son of his father. I am adopted. My father is not my birth father, but my adoptive father. I will give you another example-spiritual sons and daughters of Abraham-those of faith-are not necessarily of Abraham's bloodline but he is still their father.

Secondly, like begets like. Humans beget human children. Cows beget cows. Horses beget horses. Sheep beget sheep. Apple trees beget apple trees. Sunflowers beget sunflowers. God made each species according to its kind. Gen 1:11, 12, 21, 24.

So, Abraham begat Isaac in Abraham's own image. Some of Abraham's character passed on to his son. Abraham dug wells; Isaac redug his father's wells. Abraham passed off his wife as his sister; Isaac passed off Rebekah as his sister. God talked to Abraham. God talked to Isaac. Both prayed to God. Now, Isaac was also his own person and did not do everything Abraham did. Isaac did not go down into Egypt. Isaac did not have sex with a concubine in order to give a child to his wife. Isaac did not banish one son and bind the other. Isaac remained monogamous his entire life. And Isaac lived the longest of the three patriarchs.

Isaac is an important link in the generations of Israel. More of Genesis is devoted to Abraham and to Jacob than to Isaac. Yet without Isaac, we don't get to Jacob. Isaac is like an anchor. He remains rooted in the land of Canaan. Abraham heard the call lech lecha and was on the more a great deal. Jacob moved a great deal as well. Jacob went from Canaan to Haran to Shechem to Egypt. Isaac remained grounded-literally and figuratively.

When life's ebbs and flows come our way and we feel pulled in several different directions at once, may we be blessed to remain grounded as Isaac was. May we be firm in our faith. Though we may tremble, so long as we stand on solid rock, whatever winds and rains may come our way, we shall not be moved.