Isaac said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” Genesis 22:8
When Abraham faithfully followed God’s instruction to take his son and make him a sacrifice, he knew that somehow God would provide even if he didn’t know how that would happen. And Abraham obeyed God. When God stopped Abraham’s hand from killing his son and provided a ram instead, Abraham named that place Jehovah Jireh, meaning God will provide.
The word Jireh (or Yireh) can also be rendered[1], “sees and takes care of it.” God didn’t just provide a ram. God met Abraham where his greatest need was - a sacrifice. This event also foreshadows God meeting us in our greatest need, and providing Himself as a sacrifice for our sin.
I like the nuance of God seeing our need and taking care of it. God knows what I need. He isn’t providing an impersonal supply of resources and saying here you go, you have what you need. He sees exactly what I need, and takes care of it for me. If God provides Himself for my sin, He will provide for my other needs as well. And He sees what those needs really are, even when I don’t.
It also strikes me that God saw not just the need but also Abraham’s faith. God had asked him to do something that seemed impossibly difficult – but in faith Abraham moved forward – and God provided what was needed. Abraham didn’t have faith in a certain outcome, he had no idea what would or should happen, but He had faith in the character of God.
God has provided for me. I cling to Jehovah Jireh because He continues to see and provide. I can move forward confidently wherever He calls me, whatever circumstance He leads me to, because I trust His character and He sees and will take care of it.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
[1] Strong’s Concordance
