“Jehovah Jireh – My provider“ – Most of us will know this famous Song written by Don Moen. To refresh our memory, God called Abraham to come out of his forefather’s land and gave him promise that he will make his descendants a great nation (Gen 12:1-3). After waiting for twenty-five years and at the age of hundred the miracle happened! Sarah conceived and gave birth to Isaac. God’s promise was fulfilled. A promised son at last.
But after some time, God came in a dream and asked Abraham to sacrifice his one and only son Isaac. It was mentioned in multiple times (Lev 18:21, Lev 20:2) that God hates child sacrifice and it calls for capital punishment. But why God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?
Abraham obeyed God and took Isaac along with his two servants and reached the spot God told him on the third day. Wonder what his thought process would have been all through this journey. What can he tell Sarah, when he goes back? What happened to God’s promise? Is Ishmael his promised son? There was one more question from Isaac, his beloved Son (Gen 22:7), Father where is the sacrifice? Abraham’s response came promptly and prophetically, “God himself will provide”.
Abraham himself builds the altar, arranges food and finally bounds his son. Time has come to take his knife to slay his son. God stops him and he was asked swap Isaac with a ram. So Abraham called the place, “Lord will provide”.
Father God knew He would have to sacrifice his own son Jesus Christ one day on Calvary. After 1500 years on the mount of Calvary the creator was allowed to be sacrificed for his beloved creation i.e mankind. God provided his only Son in order to reconcile man with God. Jesus Christ offered himself as a willing sacrifice in order to forgive our sins. Jehovah Jireh should always remind us about God and His providence through his son Jesus Christ. Though the term Jehovah Jirah is alternatively used and claimed for earthly blessings the original intent of God and the sacrifice He made us should never be forgotten whenever we say Jehovah Jireh.