Read it: Genesis 22
Live it: This is my last writing assignment for this month’s Binge the Bible. As in my previous three assignments we will look at one last Yahweh compound name of God. This time we will look at probably the most well-known of these compound names: Yahweh-Jirah (pronounced Yahweh-Yirah). It means God will provide or God has provided.
Abraham had waited 25 years for the fulfillment of the promise of a son. Isaac was finally born. He was the son of promise. In today’s reading Isaac is probably about 13 years old and Abraham is 113. God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son and tells him where to do the sacrifice. Abraham obediently follows the instructions. On the way, Isaac is puzzled by something. He observes that they are carrying the wood for the altar, the weapon to kill the sacrifice, and the means to ignite the sacrifice, but they don’t have the sacrifice. Abraham answers Isaac’s query with the words “God will provide himself a sacrifice.”
They arrive at the appointed place, erect the altar, and place the wood. Abraham ties Isaac’s hands and lays him on the altar. He raises the knife to take the life of the promised son. Suddenly, his hand is stopped by the hand of a messenger from the Lord, and suddenly he sees a lamb caught in a thornbush nearby. He unties Isaac, loosens the lamb from the thicket, and sacrifices it in place of his son.
In recognition of God’s provision, Abraham names the place Yahweh-Jirah. God is still our provider. He has provided salvation, the gift of the Holy Spirit, healing, and whatever else we need through the sacrifice of His Son (Jesus Christ).
Ps. Rod