An Introduction to JEHOVAH JIREH
"The Lord will provide"
For those of you who followed our previous blog post, we have learned that the various names for the Heavenly Father hold profound significance. Among the many names attributed to God, one stands out as a symbol of divine provision and care: “Jehovah Jireh”. This name, rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, encapsulates the belief in God as the ultimate provider. In this blog, we will delve into the significance of the name Jehovah Jireh and explore its implications for believers.
The name "Jehovah Jireh" is derived from the Hebrew Bible and is found in the book of Genesis, the book of the beginning. As seen in Genesis 22:14, "Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh: as it is said to this day, 'In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.'" This name is often translated as "The Lord will provide" or "The Lord will see to it." It signifies God's role as the ultimate provider and sustainer of all things.
As Abraham was en route to give the life of His son Isaac. He lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
Genesis highlights the fact that our Heavenly Father as Jireh, is the ultimate provider. He sees our needs, material, emotional, spiritual and takes the necessary steps and actions to provide for them. On Mount Moriah He provided Abraham with a ram in exchange for the life of His son Isaac as a sacrifice.
About two thousand years later on a different mount, Mount Golgotha or Valvary, God would provide us with the ultimate lamb as a sacrifice for salvation to those who would believe. Jireh emphasizes how important it is for us to believe and exert faith and trust in His plan and sacrifices that He’d made for our lives. Abraham trusted God, He trusted God with the life of his only son Isaac and God provided Abraham with an alternative.
For those facing adversity, great uncertainties, major challenges, they can be comforted. For, Jireh is the Ultimate Provider, His provision is not limited by human limitations. He can provide beyond any expectations; For, if He provided us with his very son Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice against the penalty of sin, what else would He deprive us of, what would He hide from us?
This morning, may the name Jireh mean something to you! May it offer you with solace and hope in your greatest hardship, knowing that His generosity is immeasurable, but you must trust and approach Him by faith alone.
Finally, while you benefit from His generosity, may you learn to emulate that same generosity as you relate to the less fortunate.
Writer Minister Hilaire