Our Faithful God Provides
So Abraham called the name of that place 'Jehovah Jireh', the Lord will provide. (Genesis 22:14)
Gen. 22:1-14 and 17:1-8; Lev. 20:1-5; Ps. 31:19; II Tim. 1:12; He. 11:8-12 and 17-18
What Is God Saying?
Today's verse is found in one of Scripture's more difficult passages-it tells of human sacrifice. Those around them often sacrificed their children to Molech (II Ki. 23:10), but Jewish law forbade it (Lev. 20:1-5). The parent who did so was to be stoned. There are no other incidents of child sacrifice in Scripture. So we ask, why?
First, God was testing Abraham (Gen. 22:10). Abraham was blessed with the miraculous birth of a son late in life. Isaac was everything to him. Was he willing to sacrifice his most precious possession? In addition, God promised Abraham he would be the father of a multitude of nations (Gen. 17.4 ). Even his name was changed from Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of a multitude). It was a true test of his faith.
When God saw that Abraham was willing to give up everything for Him, he provided a substitute. Isaac was spared. This gives us an early picture/prophecy of the ultimate sacrifice by God Himself. In not sparing His son, He brought salvation to the world. That is the heart of the Gospel (John 3:16). If Jesus had not died, we would still be in our sin, but, by His ultimate sacrifice, He gave us life eternal. We must remember that there is no Jewish or Christian recorded example of human sacrifice. God provided a sacrifice (a ram caught by its horns in a thicket) to keep His own from the practice. Jesus, God the Son, gave Himself for us. It was not human sacrifice. It was divine love.
How Does This Apply To Us?
Piercing through the normal revulsion we feel in this scene on Mt. Monah, is the supreme truth that God is the great Provider. For our sins, He provides salvation. For our fears, He provides faith. For our helplessness, He provides hope. For our loneliness, He provides the Holy Spirit, our friend.
Abraham went out in obedience to God and he lived in obedience to God. Tested, he trusted. He is the great example of faith. ‘By faith, Abraham obeyed’ (Heb. 11:17-18). He was called the friend of God. We, too, are called to be friends of God. ‘You are my friends,’ said Jesus, ‘if you do what I command you.’ Obedience is the requirement; blessing is the result. God always provides. ‘(His) strength is made perfect in our weakness’ (II Cor. 12:9). His heaven is our Home (Jn. 14:3). His death is our salvation. His resurrection is our hope. His love is our joy. His presence is our strength.
Pray With Me
Lord, You have provided and You are always providing. In life, there are many needs. In Your love, there are just as many answers. As there are many more needs than those of which I am aware, so there are many wonderful answers of which I have never dreamed. Above all other needs and beyond all other answers, You have provided the Lamb to die the death I deserved. His atoning death has broken the power of sin. The presence of His never-failing Spirit keeps on cleansing me from all unrighteousness. Since You have provided for the greatest need, how can I fail to trust You for every lesser need? As I am not forsaken in the heights, I also will not be forsaken in the depths.
To the praise of my Lord's unfailing love. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
God provides. Let this beautiful thought be the foundation of all our prayers. We may not receive what we want but God will provide what we need. Sometimes our seemingly unanswered prayer is our test of faith. ‘Underneath are the everlasting arms’ (Deut. 33:27). Underneath are the promises of God and filtering through all our lives is His great love.
