Jehovah Jirah…The Lord will provide
So many of us when we think of the Lord providing, we think of stuff—cars, houses, or children. When Abraham was young, he considered God’s blessing to be displayed through giving him children.
Maybe many of you who are reading this are living without something or in poverty of some kind—and anxiously praying for God to provide that last little bit. Just to get by—to make it through the month or the next paycheck, or the next breath from a loved one.
I have been in this position many times.
We are running on empty and we pray, “Please just let us (or me or my child) get through this.”
We look at the anguished and distorted face of our child, or wife, or loved one, and we pray, “Please God provide a way out of this!”
When we hear God called “The Lord Will Provide,” as Abraham named the place where God provided a ram for sacrifice instead of his son, we often think of material blessings or simply getting through a desperate moment.
However, to read this narrative in this vane is staying on the surface. We are not mining deep into the real treasure of this passage in Gen. 22.
I thought of this passage this past week as I sat with my grandfather as he was on his deathbed. Early Thursday morning, he passed away after being in the hospital for almost 2 weeks. I was with him about 9 hours a day during this time, everyday.
He looked at me in his momentary delirium and asked me a question about Jesus.
Historically, he knew the answer to the question(s), but in this moment, he was confused. I had been reminding him of things he already knew all night about his children, grandchildren and the family.
He had been asking me about Jesus the whole day and previous night. We had prayed 5 times in a period of 2 hours. About 8 pm he asked me, “Jesus died on the Cross, right? Did he really die?”
My answer was, “Yes.” “Jesus died because God wanted to provide you and everyone else a way to have a relationship with him.”
He smiled and said, “Yes, he did.”
Then he asked, “Is Jesus still dead?”
And My answer was, “No, he rose on the third day!”
He asked again, “Did he really die?”
My answer, “Yes, matter of fact the Bible says that he conquered death, and sits on the right-hand of God the Father today interceding for our sins continually.”
My Grandfather responded, “Yes, isn’t that beautiful. God is so good!”
Then he asked, “Is God and Jesus the same?”
Then I said, “Yes, grandfather he is.”
He said, “That’s amazing!”
Then I thought of the narrative of Abraham looking into the eyes of his son Isaac, who was the son that God had promised all along. Isaac was smart and realized there was no lamb for the sacrifice as they both climb the mountain and asked his father, “We have the wood but where is the sacrifice?”
Abraham said, “The Lord will provide HIMSELF a sacrifice”
God was not going to delegate this role. He was not going to force anyone else to go through the anguish and pain of being the sacrifice for redemption to a fallen world. He was going to do it.
No longer were we, as God’s people, going to rely on symbols and stand-ins. God provided Himself. Not a prophet or a great man. Himself. God was providing Himself.
This is the point. Abraham saw the ram caught in the thicket as the angel called out to him to stop. That provision was amazing, but something more significant was coming.
Our greatest blessing in life is that God will provide Himself. He is all we need. There is nothing more and nothing greater. God provides Himself.
And, as the narrative continues, God promised Abraham blessing. As our modern translations say it, “I will surely bless you,…” (Gen. 22:17).
However, I really like the way the King James Bible translates this passage, and I think it is closer to the original language.
“That in blessing, I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea.”
This is blessing on top of blessing, beyond what we can hope or think. It was far beyond what Abraham could imagine. That is who God is.
This is the reason Abraham named this place Jehovah Jirah.
The greatest blessing is not stuff, although God certainly does bless some families in that manner. The greatest blessing is that we get God.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU HOMESCHOOL MISSIONALLY
- Top 5 Mistakes Homeschoolers Make. Join David and Leslie as they discuss the common pitfalls that homeschooling families often encounter and how to steer clear of them. From forgetting to enjoy the journey to letting fear dictate decisions, they provide valuable insights and practical tips to help homeschoolers stay on track.
- The privileges we have as Moms. In this article, Leslie talks about the incredible privilege we have as parents.
- Can Obedience Really Set Your Child Free?— Why is obedience such a big deal? David and Leslie unpack the concept, going beyond simply following rules. They delve into the biblical perspective, explaining how obedience to God’s will keeps us safe and helps us live our best lives. They’ll also explore the practical benefits, like creating a peaceful home environment and fostering a healthy respect for authority figures – a crucial skill in today’s world.
