## Names of God: Jehovah-jireh

## Genesis 22:14

Over the past several weeks we have been looking at the various ways that God has revealed Himself to us in Scripture indicated by His names. Each name that God uses for Himself reveals to us an aspect of His character that helps us to know Him better.

- Elohim = God -- Creator, Preserver, Keeper of His Covenant
- Jehovah = LORD -- holiness (Truth revealer), righteousness, redemption
- El-Shaddai = Almighty God -- Our all-sufficient supply, Bestower of power, gifts, blessings, and the one who makes us fruitful
- Adonai = Lord - Our Sovereign God, Owner of all.

This evening we come to one of the many compound names of Jehovah: Jehovah-Jirah. Most of the compound names of God come from some historic Biblical event and teach that Jehovah is able to meet some human need by some aspect of His character. This name comes from the memorable event that took place in the life of Abraham.

I. The Historical Setting

A. Abraham is facing the greatest trial of his life.

(Genesis 22:1-2) And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

B. All other events in his life had simply prepared him for this test.

C. It is amazing to me that Abraham shows no objection or even hesitation to obey God.

D. He truly had grown in his faith toward God.

1. Remember how he doubted that God could or even would provide him a son.

2. How that he and Sarah laughed at the very idea that they could have a child.

3. And then it happened, not in their timing, but in accordance with God's timing.

4. God came through on His promise to Abraham!

E. Now, God puts him to the test…how would he respond?

(Romans 4:20-21) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

F. Just before Abraham slays his only son God provides a sacrifice.

(Genesis 22:10-13) And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

II. The Meaning Of Jehovah-Jireh

A. Jehovah jireh is translated properly in three different ways.

1. "jireh" is a form of the verb to see -- "the Lord will see, or foresee" (He sees with foreknowledge) [He is omniscient!]

2. "jireh" means what the Lord sees a need for He provides for -- "the Lord will provide" v8 [He is all-sufficient]

3. "jireh" means "the Lord shall appear," that is, God's provision shall appear. v14

4. The place becomes a memorial to God's provision. "Mount Moriah" = where God is seen. [He is our provision.]

III. The Importance Of The Name

A. The name Jehovah-Jireh is important because of the immediate great provision of God.

1. God had provided a substitute for Isaac.

2. Imagine Abraham's joy over God's provision!

B. The name is important because of a future event. v14

1. Not only would God provide a sacrifice so that Abraham would not have to kill Isaac…

2. He would provide a sacrifice for each of us!

3. God would provide the Lamb, to take away our sins!

(John 1:29) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

(Hebrews 10:4-5) For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

4. Isaac was a type of Christ.

(Hebrews 11:17-19) By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

C. It was important because of the place.

1. "In the mount of the Lord it shall be provided." v14

2. This was where Solomon's Temple would be built.

3. This was where the Lamb of God would be sacrificed.

4. This was the place where God had provided in the past and would provide in the future.

(John 8:56) Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

(Hebrews 11:13) These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

The name Jehovah-Jirah 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!