Hebrews 11
Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.
39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
Isaac as a type of Christ
Isaac is a type of the infant Lord as son, and, in fact, Isaac was the son of Abraham as Christ is of God, victim as was the Lord. But he was not cut down like the Lord; no, Isaac only carried the wood of the sacrifice, as the Lord did his cross. He laughed mystically [Isaac’s name means, “laughter”] by way of prophesying that the Lord fills us with joy, we who have been redeemed by his blood. He did not suffer but left to the Logos, as is fitting, the first fruits of suffering. What is more, because he was not immolated, he signifies also the divinity of the Lord. For after his burial, Jesus was raised up, thus leaving suffering behind, just as Isaac had escaped the sacrifice. Clement of Alexandria, Christ the Educator 1.5.23.1-2
"Figuratively speaking, he did received him back", that is, by way of a symbol and type of the resurrection. Put to death by his father's zeal, he came back to life at the word of the one who prevented the slaughter. In him the type of the saving passion was also prefigured. Hence the Lord also said to the Jews, "Your father Abraham rejoiced at the prospect of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad." Interpretation of Hebrews 11, Theodoret, Bishop of Cry (Cyrrhus) 393-466AD.
Typology is the study of biblical types: the study of persons or events in the Old Testament, which foreshadow or prefigure a person or an event in the New Testament. OT types not only prefigure prefigure a person or event in the NT but also explain them. … OT types find their fulfillment especially in the person and work of Jesus Christ. So we find, for example, that Jesus is the New Adam in whom the opening of Paradise of heaven has begun, in whom the true Exodus of the people of God from Satan’s tyranny is accomplished. The apostles used typology in their preaching and instruction to show that Jesus continues and fulfills the Divine revelations of the OT. St Paul writes, “Now all these things happened to them [OT Israel] as types [typikōs, Greek] and they were written for our instruction.”
How is Isaac a type of the person and work of Jesus? According to the Church Fathers:
Isaac and Jesus were the only and beloved sons of their fathers
Isaac and Jesus were identified as the “son of Abraham” … Genesis 21:3 and St Matthew 1:1
Isaac and Jesus were offered as sacrifice … Genesis 22:2 and St John 1:29, 11:50
Isaac and Jesus were offered as sacrifice on Mt Moriah (Mt Zion) … Genesis 22:2 (see also II Chronicles 3:1) and St Matthew 16:21-23
Isaac and Jesus bore the wood on which they would be sacrificed … Genesis 22:6 and St John 19:17
Isaac and Jesus were placed upon the wood on which the sacrifice was offered … Genesis 22:9 and St John 19:18-19
Isaac and Jesus were “resurrected” on the third day … Genesis 22:4 and St Luke 18:22, 24:7, 44-47
On Mt Moriah, Isaac queried his father Abraham, “Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham responded, “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering …” (Genesis 22:7-8). Abraham called the place, Jehovah-jireh - “the Lord will provide.” The future tense of “the Lord will provide” looks forward to the time when “God will provide himself a lamb,” that is, to Jesus’ sacrifice as the Lamb of God that takest away the sin of the world.
All the great, heroic figures in Hebrews 11 would not be made perfect apart from us — the Church.
The faith and perseverance of those in the OT is set before us as an example for us to emulate. However, as great as these OT figures are they looked forward to the day when the blessings promised in the coming of the greater Moses, the greater Joshua, the greater High Priest would be fulfilled. They are made perfect with us — in the person and work of Jesus Christ the blessings of the New Covenant God has brought many sons to glory.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance …
JSH+