Jehovah-Jireh

“The Lord will Provide.” This was Abraham’s testimony to the goodness of God in providing a ram to take the place of his son on the altar. It will also be our testimony when we have accepted as our Sacrifice Him who was caught in the thicket of our sins and led to the altar of the Cross. Jehovah-Jireh—

I. He Provides the Right Thing. “A ram.” A Substitute. One to take the place, and die in the stead of him who was devoted to death. Because of sin we were under condemnation, under the curse, devoted to death. God knew what was needed. Only He could provide the needed sacrifice. Neither education nor civilization could avail, but regeneration through the blood of God’s appointed Lamb. “He loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). “Christ our Passover sacrificed for us” (1 Cor 5:7).

II. He Provides at the Right Place. “On the mount of the Lord.” The place as well as the offering was part of the Divine arrangement. The Cross was as much the appointment of God as the coming of His Son. It is very significant that on the same mount, perhaps on the very spot, where the ram was caught in the thicket that was to die in the stead of Isaac, Jesus the Lamb of God was caught among the cords and nails of the Cross and offered as a sacrifice for our sins. Mount Calvary was the mount of the Lord. That same mount was the place of communion to Abraham. By the blood of His Cross we are made nigh unto God.

III. He Provides at the Right Time. Just when the knife was uplifted and the death stroke about to fall, the voice was heard and the substitute seen. God’s clock is never one moment behind. Faith will be tried, and may be tested to the utmost limit. The point of despair may be just reached, but He will not try above what we are able to bear, and will with the temptation make a way of escape. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. We have to get to an end of ourselves to see the beginnings of grace. When we get to “Lord save me, I perish” (Matt. 8:25), then immediately His saving hand is stretched forth. Abraham’s faithfulness led to thankfulness. It is always so. Believe and thou shalt see. “The Lord will provide.” We, too, may say it—

1. Confidently. For having given us His Son, how will He not “with Him freely give us all things” (Rom. 8:32). He is “able to do exceeding abundantly (Eph. 3:20).

2. Expectantly. “He is faithful who hath promised” (Heb. 11:11). He will provide wisdom for the meek, strength for the weak, weapons for the warfare, comfort for the time of sorrow, grace for every need here, and a place in the mansion above.

3. Continually. Hath He not said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,” so that we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear.” In life, in death, and in eternity, Jehovah-Jireh.

Smith, J., & Lee, R. (1971). Handfuls on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students, Series I–XIII (five-volume edition, Vol. 2, pp. 250–251). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.