Isaac Means to Laugh
It is thought that when God told Abraham that he would have a son in his old age, Abraham laughed. For good reason, Sarah was ninety years old. Even fifteen hundred years ago people knew ninety-year-old women did not have babies. And maybe the next thought that went through his mind was – and I am almost ninety-nine. Have I the energy to raise a son? Therefore, we have children when we are young. It is great to visit the grandparents, and they love to see the grandchildren, but they are happy when the parents take them home. We need a nap! So Abraham laughed and when the child was born was named Isaac out of laughter and joy for a son.
One other thought to consider, they did not always have a well-defined concept of life after death. In their culture, they thought they lived on through their children. In our culture today, we consider this a legacy, of what we leave the future generations. Good question is it not? What do we leave the future generations? God’s legacy to us is unbelievable. Eternal life. And how He did that is just as unbelievable. It is through the death of His Son. We are not God, but we have something just as remarkable to leave our children. Our faith. And our prayers for them. They may not understand or appreciate this gift, but neither did Abraham or Sarah at the time. But the seeds were planted and nourished. In time all of God’s gifts bear fruit. Trust in the Lord and pray for children.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen