Isaac, who means laughter, was the man-of-faith’s true joy,
For God gave Sarah grace to bear this promised baby boy.
Where faith met grace, the LORD performed a miracle so great,
It gave their friends and family great cause to celebrate.
Through Hagar, Abraham had Ishmael, who was very weak.
His mother had to shelter him while water she did seek.
For, like God’s holy law, he lacked the strength to set men free.
His line did not reveal the truth that leads to liberty.
His hand would be against all men and they at war with him.
As for escaping Ishmael’s judgment, it seemed less than slim.
Because, like law, he had no strength to save mankind from sin.
Therefore, only Through Isaac (laughter) can we really win.
Yet laughter’s dad was told to offer up his only son
Upon an altar to be sacrificed – God’s will be done.
He laid the wood on Isaac’s back as they went up the hill,
In order, this “obedience unto death” he might fulfill.
When asked “Where is the lamb?” Abraham said, “God will provide,”
Not knowing that a ram was coming up the mountainside,
Faith laid his Laughter on the wood, prepared to take the knife
And slay his son, believing God could bring him back to life.
But then an angel called from heaven, “Do not harm your son!”
“’I know now that you love me,’ says the Lord. The work I’ve done,
Because old Abraham beheld the ram in thick vines caught,
A substitute for Isaac who from death now had been brought.
For God so loved the world, we read, His only Son He gave.
To save our joy from perishing. He overcame the grave.
And for the Isaac set before him, Jesus bore the cross
That those of faith like Abraham might escape eternal loss.