Of prominent Bible figures, Isaac has always struck me as one of the more humdrum ones. Sandwiched between fellow patriarchs Abraham and Jacob, he’s principally known for being the young man God commanded Abraham to sacrifice and the old man Jacob tricked. In between those two experiences, Scripture records what we might call a fairly vanilla life. He got married, had some kids, moved around, got rich, sought some wells, and built an altar to the Lord. It all sounds fairly uneventful. And yet, unobtrusive Isaac is a Hebrews 11 exemplar of faith (see Heb. 11:20). He’s one of the Patriarchs, one of Israel’s key ancestors. Despite a seemingly boring life, his lasting contribution was trusting God’s promise to multiply his offspring.

Although he tends to be overshadowed by the likes of Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, and others, he’s no less significant or faithful. And I submit his ho-hummedness as a lesson to us. Most of us will probably do less than he did. Our life experiences are often plainer than the generic vanilla ice cream at the discount grocery store. But our testimonies need not be characterized by any less faith in God than Isaac demonstrated.

As a Hebrews 11 exemplar of faith, Jacob in an encouragement for us, spurring us on to grown in our faith. The men and women of the Bible we consider “heroes of faith” each had their own share of exciting and less-than-exciting experiences. As they trusted God and loved Him, the Lord used them. He will do the same for us, no matter how vanilla our own experiences might seem.