NAMES: Calling on the Name of Godናሙና

One of the most stressful stories of the Bible (in our opinion) is when God calls Abraham to go and sacrifice his one and only son on the mountain (sound a bit familiar?). Abraham had waited for so many years, undergoing so much difficulty, to finally have a son with his beloved Sarah. Yet, here, God was asking him to sacrifice the boy that He had promised Abraham.

It’s deeply frustrating, maybe a little nail-biting, and ultimately, God brings about a ram to take the penalty instead of Isaac.

It is there, where God is given the name of “Jehovah Jireh” - normally translated as “The Lord Will Provide”. However, part of the word that we know as “Jireh” is derived from “raah” meaning “to see”. There is also a uniqueness of this context because the phrase that is used is actually a Hebrew idiom, which makes it difficult for us to completely understand. The sense pushes translators to believe that there is an idea behind it of “will see for himself” - meaning that God will look after, or see fit, the need for another sacrifice Himself. The juxtaposition of Jehovah before this word points further to the tangible nature of God himself, as a Provider - as the One who Sees, taking after the needs of all things and people.

WHEW! It’s a hefty lift with various idiosyncrasies around it. Yet, there is so much beauty in this name of God in the context of Abraham saying it. Genesis 22:14 specifically says, “So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

“The Lord will provide.” How often have you heard that? How often have you said it to someone else? Each time, you declare “Jehovah Jireh”.

But, do you believe it? Honestly and truly? Because sometimes it’s so difficult to actually walk in the faith that God will provide.

Yet, isn’t it so powerful that provision isn’t just a characteristic of God - it’s actually in the very nature of His name. We can declare the name or Jehovah Jireh in our weakest moments, asking for strength. We can call on the name of Jehovah Jireh when someone we deeply love has a financial need. We can whisper Jehovah Jireh in the times that we feel deep confusion about what we even need.

He hears us. Just like He heard Abraham on the mountain and provided, He will do the same for you - no matter what it may look like.

You can call on Jehovah Jireh. What a lovely thing it is to be provided for by such a compassionate and intentional God.