# 24 - Isaac: Son of Promise - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, the birth of Isaac is portrayed as a testament to God's faithfulness, transforming Sarah's initial laughter of doubt into joy. This story reflects how God fulfills His promises, even when they seem impossible, reminding us to trust His divine timing and plan.
Episode 24 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Genesis.
Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up
For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/
Today's opening prayer is inspired by 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For however many are the promises of God, in him is the ‘Yes.’ Therefore also through him is the ‘Amen’, to the glory of God through us.”
Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.
Shown Notes:
(01:30) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(03:17) Isaac: Son of Promise - Cinematic Retelling
(14:18) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
Previously on the Chosen people.
Can you count the stars Abram?
Abram shook his head uncertain.
You cannot, for there are too many. It is impossible. It is to be the same with your offspring. The great nation I shall make through your air would be as innumerable as the stars in the night sky.
God Most High, I know what you have promised me.
But how let me ask you? This is anything impossible? For God Almighty? Is anything too hard or too marvelous for him to achieve?
No?
At the appointed time, I will come back to you. In about a year, she will have my son.
How could this be?
After all this time, when I am worn out and my Lord is old? Will I have this delight?
She had given up on that dream a long long time ago. Just then, another wave of pain rippled through her low stomach. She clenched her jaw and waited for it to subside. A thought began to take shape in her mind as it dropped. There could this pain be the beginning of something, the beginning of an ability she had never possessed. No, it couldn't be.
There.
In the silence of many years, a cry was heard, the sound of laughter, from the depths of a divine promise shalloon my friends from here in the Holy Land. I'm yea el Exstein with International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Welcome to the Chosen People. Each day we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning of life. Through Israel's story, we'll find this truth that we are all chosen for something great. If this podcast has blessed you in any way, we'd love it if you left us a review. And if you're interested in the countless lives being impacted and biblical prophecy coming to fruition by our work at the Fellowship, you can visit us at IFCJ dot org. That's IFCJ dot org. Now let's begin. In the beginning of Genesis twenty one, we find ourselves witness to a miracle, the birth of Isaac. But this story is so much more than just a birth, isn't it. Isaac's arrival is a testament to our faith and a God who can bring life from what seems barren, who can bring hope to our own long force, sake and dreams. As we dive into the saga inspired by Genesis twenty one one to seven. Let's open our hearts to miracles in our own lives that reshape and redefine our very own stories.
Sarah's cries echoed through the tent, each scream a testament to the agony and determination coursing through her. Sweat glistened on her forehead, mingling with tears of pain and anticipation.
Can you see him yet?
No, my lady, keep pushing. Any minute now, we'll see the head.
Sarah was sobbing through the pains of her labor. She remembered a time not so long ago that she had laughed. In disbelief, she clung to the memory of laughter, a distant echo from a time before the labor pains consumed her. How surreal it seemed now, the miracle of childbirth turning her joy into this excruciating trial.
Keep breathing, my lady.
Sarah's response was a guttural scream. And to think this was what all other mothers went through, and many of them more than once. This excruciating pain and discomfort in her body was harrowing. Sarah felt the intensity of each contraction, her body straining with the effort of bringing new life.
Into the world.
She wasn't sure she had the strength to see this through, but she considered the pure joy she had felt upon discovering that she was with child. The memory of her joy upon discovering her pregnancy fueled her resolves. It had been a time of triumph, a time when Abraham's spirits soared with new found gratitude. As she bore down with another contraction, her mind drifted to the fateful encounter with the stranger who foretold this very moment. His prophecy had seemed absurd, prompting her incredulous laughter. Yet here she was, her body proving the stranger right. The pain a harsh reminder of the promise fulfilled. Another forceful contraction racked her body as it inched the babe closer to the light. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to send her mind elsewhere, anywhere, but here she thought of the happiest memory she could the day she told Abraham he was to be a father to the child growing inside of her. Abraham returned from a day's labor, his brow glistening with sweat, his clothes stained with the grime of toil. Sarah rushed to him, her excitement uncontainable.
Abraham, slow down, my love, What is it. I can't remember ever seeing you running this fast? And look at you. You're grinning like a little girl.
I can't help it. You're never going to believe it. It's finally happened. God's promised to us.
With child.
You're going to be our father.
I know this is what we've been waiting for, but I'm having a hard time believing it. And Sarah, you've always been beautiful.
I've never seen you look this beautiful.
You're glowing. I can't believe how happy I am.
Abraham, dirt, dust, grime, and aw scooped Sarah up and spun her around. They were acting like children, but Sarah was beside herself with joy. They were at the fruition of all their belief, only to proclaim how much they could not believe what was happening. She had laughed and laughed at the delicious irony of it. Abraham set her down, embraced her, his hands on either side of her face, looking deep into her eyes, and laughed right along with her. Sarah looked back into his eyes. She realized this was the first time in a long time that Abraham had truly looked at her and seen her. She curled up into his large arms, old but still tight with strength. Her sharp pain jolted Sarah back to the present, the pressure in her lower back unbearable. The midwife's voice urged her.
On, my lady, you're almost there. I can see the head. Now take another breath and push again.
Sarah did as the midwife had bid her to do. Her determination wavered as exhaustion assaulted her. She was so tired, and though she knew her body was doing a powerful thing, she felt so weak.
Again, my lady, you cannot stop. Now take a breath and push again.
Sarah screamed in response. The pressure in her lower abdomen was unfathomable. This had to be it. She didn't think she would last another moment longer. Over the sound of her screaming, almost an out of body experience, Sarah heard a tiny little cry.
You did it, my lady. The babe is here.
Boh is it a boy? Yes, my lady, it's a boy.
A flock of midwives and servants had showed Abraham away that morning from his tent when Sarah's labors began. Shoot Abraham, the clan leader the warrior. The diplomat was shewed away like a child, but he reluctantly departed. This was woman's work. But he was so anxious and nervous that he didn't know what to do with himself. He half heartedly went about his business, but it was apparent to all that his mind was in the birthing tent with his wife. He was half listening to a shepherd explaining the shearing process to Ishmael. Ishmael was attentive to his teacher, but he was always perceptive. He kept one eye on his father and assessed his demeanor. The shepherd was droning on about cleaning and maintaining the tools when Elieza came running from the direction of the tents.
Astrabram, Hurry, Eliezer, tell me one news.
Sarah has given you a son, Isaac.
Master.
The boy's name's.
Isaac Abraham, and wiped the tears from his eyes, clasped eli as Her on the shoulder in celebration, and hauled him along as he hurried to the tent to meet his new son. Ishmael didn't follow. Immediately, he looked down at the footsteps his father left in the dirt. His brow furrowed in deep thought. Then with a sigh and a nod, he padded behind his father, trying to line his steps with the footprints below. Abraham burst through the tent and stopped breathless. There he was cradled in Sarah's arms. Abraham's throat clenched and his palms began to sweat. Slowly, thoughtfully, quietly, he approached. Abraham was afraid to speak, as if the slightest whisper might blow the moment away. He softly, slowly reached out for Isaac. Then, just as his hands were about to touch him, the baby tensed, made a strange sound, began to cry, and immediately a yellowish brown liquid spilled all over Sarah's arm. The baby relaxed and went back to sleep. Abraham looked at Sarah, and Sarah to Abraham. Then, like two singers harmonizing to a tune, they both began to laugh. They laughed until tears streamed down their faces. Everyone in the room began to harmonize with them. Years of pent up tension from yearning for a child had finally released, ironically, just like the babies. Eight days later, after the circumcision ritual, Abraham was repeating the same story he had been telling for as many days to anyone he came across.
When I entered the tent and saw Sarah cradling our boy, our Isaac, she burst out laughing, and I started laughing, and then everyone in the room was laughing. The God Almighty had already foretold his name, but here we all were experiencing it.
Why my cheeks are still sore. I can't stop laughing and smiling.
I can't either.
Abraham and Sarah were positively giddy. Guests and servants alike had never seen anything like it, but their joy and their laughter were contagious.
Who would have ever thought Abraham and I would be raising children. He's bee hundred years old and I'm ninety. Have you ever heard of such a thing.
It is remarkable, It is a miracle. It is our God.
It truly he is, Abraham, you have walked with our God for a long time and grown accustomed to his voice. I have always wondered how you sustained your faith all these years, waiting for the impossible. But now I hear his voice too. I hear his voice in the cries of our son here at last, and I hear it in all our laughter. God made me laugh when I first learned of his intentions for my life, but now everyone will laugh with me.
Just beyond the opening of the tent stood the now thirteen year old Ishmael. He was on the cusp of manhood, and by custom and law, had been raised to become a clan leader. But in the span of nine months, Ishmael's future became uncertain. Ishmael loved his father and wanted him to be happy, but all this laughing was beginning to grate on him. Each peer of laughter and joy turned to mockery in Ishmael's ears. Their joy was his loss. Ishmael mourned the loss of both his father's favor and his inheritance. In the midst of the celebration of his half brother Isaac.
Sarah, elderly and long past child bearing age, laughed at God's promise.
I get it.
Sometimes God's promises can seem absurd, but then God shows up and what once seemed impossible becomes the reality. And that is exactly what happened here. Impossibility became reality, Isaac was born, and laughter follows. It's a reminder that God's timing is not our timing. God moves in his own mysterious ways to his own divine rhythm, creating joy out of doubt and despair. And that's what God does here, he brings life to what was once baron. But before we get to God's joyous miracle, I want to take a look at the chapter's first verse, which seems pretty standard at first glance. It reads, and the Lord visited Sarah. But the Hebrew word used here for visited is pakad, which also means remembered or to count. It's basically making sure that nothing is missing. Let me say that again. And the Lord visited Sarah is how it's translated to English, but the word in Hebrew is pakad, which really means and the Lord remembered or counted Sarah. There was something clearly missing in Sarah's baron womb, which God remembered what had been a void God suddenly filled. Now let's think where else have we already seen that? Well, we've seen it from the very beginning, haven't we. When the earth was barren and lifeless, God's rua, his breath hovered over the void and breathed life and light into existence. This is also what God did as Abraham looked out over the barn uninhabited land. This is what God always does, he remembers. He takes count, and he fills the void with exactly what is missing. God speaks, moves, and acts, creating something out of nothing. Ysh me a'in, as we say in Hebrew, he did that in the story of creation. He does this in our life. And he did this in Sarah's life. Back in Genesis eighteen, when Sarah heard she would bear a child in her advanced age, she laughed. Why was she laughing? Well, she laughed in disbelief. But here in chapter twenty one, Sarah does in fact give birth to a son, Isaac, and she says in verse six, God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me. I want you to hear this beautiful verse. In the original Hebrew Vitomar Sarah sok asali eloin call hashomah chak Lei. In Hebrew, Isaac pronounced zak literally translates.
As he laughs.
And even though the same word for laughed is used in both chapter eighteen and twenty one, there is a huge transformation in the kind of laughter each one describes. This isn't just a linguistic coincidence. The same Hebrew verb for laughed is used in both instances, highlighting a profound transformation. This time, Sarah was laughing again, not in disbelief, but in great joy that she and Abraham would have a son who could carry on the great adventure that they had begun with God, the adventure of the Chosen people. That if Isaac wasn't born, it would have just ended then. And so this is not just a joy for them, for Sarah and Abraham, this is a joy for the whole world, one that the whole world would be joyful about, would laugh about forever. The name Isaac forever marks this transformation, from the laugh of skepticism to the laugh of faith, from the laugh of doubt to the laugh of fulfillment, for not just this elderly couple, but for God's people and the entire world. This is the heart of the story. Isaac's birth is so much more than just the arrival of a promised child. It's the divine statement about God's faithfulness. Our laughter of doubt doesn't negate God's ability to bring about his plans. Instead, he can use our very doubts to highlight his faithfulness, and in doing so, he can turn our disbelief into faith and our doubt into joy. If they would have easily been blessed with the child, they wouldn't have looked at at it as the miracle that Isaac became. It was by laughing in disbelief because God held back this child, and so long that God held back this child for so long that they were able that they were able to laugh in faith in recognizing what a miracle he really was. Now look at your lives, my friends. Where have you laughed in doubt? And then where has God turned your skepticism into joy? How often have we all laughed off God's promises? How often have we thought his plans are too good to be true? And so often right as we do, God says, go ahead, laugh, doubt, question, but don't lose faith. Just wait and watch what I can do. Faith is not the absence of doubt. It's that within the doubt we continue to trust God.
We can to.
Trust his promises even when they seem laughable. And that's really the challenge in life, isn't it? To trust in God's promises, no matter how improbable they may seem to believe that he can bring life out of barrenness, that he can bring in our lives joy out of sorrow, that fulfillment of our dreams and our deepest prayers indeed will come out of waiting. This story invites us to embrace the laughable nature of God's promises, to see that God delights in turning our laughter of doubt into a laughter of joy. It's a call to trust in a God who specializes in the impossible, that what makes you feel the most despair will also the other side of it, embedding you the deepest faith when it comes to fruition. And this is an important point to remember as we continue our journey through the Bible, through this tale of God's chosen people, as his miracles grow ever and ever more impossible, sometimes even laughable. We see in the scriptures a burning bush speaks, the sea splits in, two flood falls from the sky, the sun stands still. A man is swallowed by a fish, spat out three days later, and he is completely unharmed. Truly, it's all unbelievable, improbable, even laughable. But next time you find yourself laughing at the improbability of God's promises, remember Sarah, Remember Isaac and your laughter be transformed by our mighty and loving God, who turns impossibility into reality. Our God, who is faithful even when we doubt, especially when we doubt, will lay blessings on your life as well. To speak more on the significance of Isaac's birth to Christians, let's hear from our trusted pastor and friend, Bishop Paulineer.
Thank you so muchee. Well, here we are this extraordinary moment in this story. Now, I just want to speak about one word, if that's okay, One word laughter. Laughter. You know, and you look in your mind, but we often connect laughter to the emotion or the spiritual experience of joy. You know what. The scriptures say that the joy of the Lord is my strength, and that joy is good medicine. Oh that's awesome. But sometimes joy isn't connected to euphoria or because you're so excited and delighted about a situation. Some times you're exasperated. You've gone as far as you can go, and emotionally you're just spent, and so when you're flesh erupts in this laughter, it's not the same kind of laughter. Got a feeling, that's what was happening you'll remember in Sarah's life. But then she comes to this moment with her husband Abraham. They look at that boy and they hold their child, and she says, you know, everybody's gonna laugh with me now that he's been born. Laughter had become such a part of their new situation that they named their son Isaac it suck, which means laughter. Well, I wouldn't be surprised if, like me, you've also gone through some moments where laughter had nothing to do with joy or being excited or grateful about a situation. It wasn't even that you were exasperated and worn out by something. Instead, it's something being launched against you. It's when someone is marking your faith. They're ridiculing your great confession, what it is you believe. They're trying to minimize your intimacy with God. Happens to us, and sometimes we wonder should I quit, Should I throw in the town?
No?
Absolutely not. Listen.
Listen.
Nobody gets the miraculous until somebody is willing to look ridiculous. Can I say that again? Nobody gets the miraculous until somebody is willing to look ridiculous. So I'm speaking faith into your faith, and I'm telling you, go ahead, build a boat while they laugh. Stretch out your rot over the waters and expect them to part while they laugh. And talk to the rocks for water while they laugh. And walk around the city and blow a trumpet while they laugh, and sling your stone at the giant while they laugh. And tell the sun to than still in the heavens while they laugh. And tell that witch that the rain won't come, And tell that widow that the bread it won't stop while they laugh. And you look in the Christian scriptures, go ahead and touch the leper while they laugh. And cover the eyes of the blind man with mud you made yourself while they laugh. And walk on the waters while they laugh. And go pay your taxes with money that smells like fish while they laugh. I'm not finished. Rise from the dead while they laugh, And cast out devils, and heal the sick, and raise the dead, and demand to live while they laugh. Here's why most miracles happen in the middle of a mocking.
Yes, the laughter of doubt and disbelief can transform into the laughter of joy in an instant, because God's promises are not deterred by our doubts. In fact, our very doubts can lead to his most miraculous displays of power. So wherever you are right now, even if you find yourself in a season of doubt or despair or discouragement, know this God's story isn't finished. You might have doubt, but don't lose your faith. He is planning blessings for your life, even if you can't see them right now. And I want to leave you with this special blessing, a blessing of my own Abbah, my own Father, which he prayed over me and my sisters, with words directly from the scriptures. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you. May he be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.
Amen. You can listen to The Chosen People with Isle Eckstein add free by downloading and subscribing to the Prey dot Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the Chosen People with Yil Eckstein, Edited by Alberto Avilla narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Bree Rosalie and Aaron Salvato. Special thanks to Bishop Paulineer, Robin van Ettin, Caleb Borrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review.