Jehovah Jireh ~ "The LORD Will Provide"

Jehovah Jireh ~ "The LORD Will Provide"

Up to this point we have looked at the compound names of God beginning with "EL", the abbreviation for "Elohim". It's time to turn to the compound names of God beginning with "Jehovah" meaning self-existent or ever-present. Jireh is the Hebrew word meaning "will provide".

This name was used in the connection with the ultimate test of Abraham's Faith - the sacrifice of Isaac. Let's look at Genesis 22, because not only is this when we are introduced to Jehovah Jireh, but to a few other words.

1. This is the first time the word "love" is mentioned in the Bible - concerning Abraham's love for Isaac.

2. We are introduced to the words "only son" at the same time in reference to Isaac. This becomes the picture of what event recorded in John 3:16?

3. We are also taught the word "worship" here as Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac is a picture the act of worship. When we worship God, we are acknowledging His important, divine status, as He is revealed through His names.

4. Gen. 22 is also the first mention of the word "obeyed" in the Bible. "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." (vs. 18) True obedience is when we do what God says when it goes against the grain of our selfish nature. Hebrews 11:19 tells us that Abraham obeyed because he believed God could raise him. This is the first time in the Bible that anyone has faith in the resurrection power of God (John 8:56).

What God did for Abraham and Isaac is available to us through the cross of Calvary. God loved his only son, who obeyed his father and laid down his life for us and was raised again so that we might live. Christ is our sacrifice... God provides! God provided Christ can you trust him to provide "all" your needs? (Phil. 4:19)

God's provision comes when we like Abraham love, sacrifice and obey HIM. When you know God as "Jehovah Jireh" then you can believe in the promises of Matthew 6:33. Then you need not worry (Matt. 6:34) because you trust in the God that will provide.

Do you need to go to your Mount Moriah and say to God that you want to know Him, love Him and obey Him as Jehovah Jireh? Place those things on the altar that are squeezing God out of your life and let Him do what He chooses in your life. I know this is a terribly tough thing to do - you may want to say... Not that LORD! God says obey me and I will more than provide for you. Abraham gave up His Son and God gave Him back to Him. God asks for our love, worship, and obedience... are you ready to totally give those things to Him?

LDJ