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Volume. XXXVI, No. 36 JEHOVAH-JIREH - The Lord Will Provide Jehovah Jireh. Praise the Lord. In the coming weeks, we will consider the many compound names of Jehovah, which are based on some historical events when God met the need of an individual and revealed His character. We begin with Jehovah Jireh; a well-known name of God that comes from the memorable event that took place in the life of Abraham at Mt Moriah. "Jehovah-Jireh" is one of the many different names of God found in the Old Testament.
The name "Jehovah Jireh" is first seen in Genesis 22:14 when God provided Abraham a ram in the thicket in place of the sacrifice of his son Isaac. Jehovah Jireh means "the Lord will see" and "the Lord will provide." It also means "the Lord shall appear." Did you realize that Abraham did not name God Jehovah Jireh, but he gave the name to the place? Do you realize its significance? Solomon's beautiful temple will be built in this place. This is also where the Lamb of God would be sacrificed. This was the place where God had provided in the past and would provide in the future. “In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen (Gen 22:14). God, the omniscient who sees all things with foreknowledge, will see us through. God the all-sufficient One who owns everything sees our need and will provide it. Jehovah-Jireh reminds us that the Lord is the One who sees our need, and He is the One who will provide. He has provided in the past, and He will continue to provide. Therefore, we can trust His provision.
In Genesis 22:1-14, God tested Abraham to offer his only son Isaac, who he loves. It would have been a heart-breaking commandment for Abraham to follow. But Abraham, who had heard and followed God, knew it was God's voice. The voice of a great friend and not an enemy. Isaac, a young boy, was unaware about this command, that he would be the sacrifice. Isaac is also puzzled on their trip to the mountain without a sacrifice, however he is obedient to his father's every instruction. Abraham was with Isaac and his servants on this three-day journey to the mountain. Abraham never doubts or backs off from God's command. Abraham is confident when he leaves his servant at the foot of Mt Moriah: "I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you." (Genesis 22:5)
What we think about God is the most important thing about us. Because our knowledge of God influences how we respond to His commands. While Abraham is fully prepared to offer Isaac, he is also confident that God will keep the promises that Isaac himself will be heir to the covenant because he had an accurate understanding of God's character. After all, God has never failed him. Jehovah Jireh must be in his thoughts all the time. Hebrews 11:19 gives us an insight into his faith-fuelled obedient response when it says, "Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead". In other words, Abraham had enough faith in God to expect the resurrection of his little son. Here is obedient faith in action.
Abraham passed God's test of faith and is an excellent example to emulate. God tests us to bring out the best, which is exactly the result of Abraham's life in his supreme test in Genesis 22. As he climbed Mount Moriah with his son, Abraham was confident that God would meet every need. God proved him true by providing at the right time. Satan tempts us to bring out the worst in us. When temptation says, 'do this pleasant thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is wrong.' Trial or proving says, 'do the right and noble thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is painful.'" The name Jehovah-Jireh reminds us that the Lord is the One who sees our need, and He is the One who will provide. He has provided in the past, and He will continue to provide. We can trust His provision!
The name Jehovah-Jireh is important because it shows the great provision of God both in the immediate case of Isaac and points to the future event at Calvary. Isaac was a type of Christ. Jehovah-Jireh provided a sacrifice to save Isaac. And this was also a foreshadow of the provision of His Son Jesus for the salvation of the world. That is why Jesus can boldly declare to the Jews in John 8:56, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad”. Abraham's faith-filled statement that “God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:” is a companion to John the Baptist's exclamation, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Thank God that on Mount Calvary, Jehovah Jireh provided for us. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
Abraham only depended on the promise of God for His provision. The same promise of the Jehovah Jireh is available for us. We should not depend on our feelings, nor should we depend on other people. He is faithful and true and will provide. Today you or someone close to you may be going through a tough medical condition. Your business debt may be ballooning with each passing day due to the bad economic condition. Worry dominates you on how your bills will be paid and your family situation. The Lord is not just Jehovah Rapha, the Lord, your healer. He is also Jehovah Jireh, the Lord, your provider. Jehovah Jireh will make a way; trust Him. God is our only hope and help- Jehovah Jireh will see to it. Do not worry, “for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matt. 6:32). Let go of your worries and keep your eyes on Him. He will take care of you. When you bring your requests to the throne of grace, God answers with mercy “and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Sometimes it may look like God waits until the last minute to send help, but that is only from our human point of view. God is never late. When we trust God and do His work in God's way, it will not lack God's provision.
Our God will look after us; he will provide. Let us, in faith, follow the Lord's calling and commandments without considering the cost. If we come into great need by following His command, He will be Jehovah Jireh. If our difficulties multiply and increase so that our way seems completely blocked up, Jehovah will see that the road shall be cleared. The Lord will see us through in the way of holiness and will be Jehovah Jireh. In our struggles, the Lord will provide. In our hopelessness, the Lord will provide. In our distress, the Lord will provide. In our loneliness, the Lord will provide. In our confusion, the Lord will provide. In our weakness, the Lord will provide. In our darkness, the Lord will provide. In our emptiness, the Lord will provide. In our battles, the Lord will provide. In our need, the Lord will provide. Jehovah Jireh.
Rev Mathews Abraham |
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