Mensa Otabil - Jehovah Yerah
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Today we continue our teachings on the names of God. Last week we looked at the names of God related to His name or title as El, and today we’re looking at another set of combinations of words related to God using His proper name. God gave His name to Moses, and the name was so holy to the Israelites that they didn’t pronounce it; instead, they represented the name of God with the consonants YHWH, or Yod Hei Vav Hei. That is how the Jews would pronounce the name, just by mentioning the letters.
The English derivation of Yod Hei Vav Hei is what we call Jehovah, so I am going to use Jehovah instead of the Hebrew in this series.Today we looked at Jehovah Jireh, or as some people call it, Jehovah Jireh, Genesis 22:14. And Abraham called the name of the place «The Lord Will Provide,» as it is said to this day, «In the mount of the Lord, it shall be provided.»
Now we’re familiar with the story of Abraham’s obedience to God. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, so he took Isaac on this journey to a place called Mount Moriah. On the journey, Isaac kept asking, «There is fire and wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?» Abraham said, «The Lord will provide.» He didn’t tell Isaac the full meaning of the instruction that he had received. Abraham was a man who truly obeyed God, so he went to Mount Moriah, prepared to sacrifice his son, and just as he was finishing the act, God stopped him and pointed him to a ram that had been caught in the thicket by its horns. The ram was sacrificed in place of Isaac; we know that story very well.
When Abraham saw the lamb that had been provided, he was so relieved. He named the place on Mount Moriah «The Lord Will Provide» or «The Lord Will See to It that It Is Done.» So, in the mount of the Lord, He is Jehovah Yireh, the Lord who sees to it that things are done.
What does that name mean to us when we say that He is Jehovah who provides? It means first that God sees ahead of time. He sees the future; for Abraham, he didn’t know where the lamb was going to come from, but God had seen ahead of time and knew how He was going to provide for Abraham. That’s what Jehovah means: the Lord sees ahead of time.
Secondly, it also means that God doesn’t only see ahead of time but plans ahead of time. He makes arrangements, He makes preparations, and He puts things in place ahead of time. God is never overtaken by events; He planned for our salvation before the foundation of the world. He didn’t wait for man to sin before He planned for salvation. God always goes ahead of us; He plans ahead of time, and He has made plans ahead of time for you. Your future is certain in God’s hands.
Thirdly, Jehovah Jireh means that God provides ahead of time. He sees ahead of time, He plans ahead of time, and He provides ahead of time. Knowing God’s nature, Abraham could assure Isaac, «The Lord will provide.» He didn’t know where it was going to come from; he didn’t know how it would happen, but he said, «The Lord will provide.» That’s how we live our lives. We don’t know how it’s going to happen; we don’t know what the future holds; we don’t know where our supply is going to come from. But one thing we are sure of: Jehovah is a provider, and He sees ahead of time, He plans ahead of time, and He makes provision ahead of time. You have to trust Him with every moment of your life-that He sees ahead of time, plans ahead of time, and provides ahead of time. He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides.
Let’s pray. Say with me: Heavenly Father, You are my provider. You see and plan ahead of time. Thank You for supplying all of my needs. In Jesus' name, amen and amen. That’s who He is, and He’ll supply your needs this day. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.