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Jehovah-jireh — The Lord will Provide

Genesis 22:14

Jehovah-jireh means “the Lord will provide.” If God sees our need, his provision is sure. This is what Abraham tells us by the name, Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will provide. Jehovah-jireh was Abraham’s testimony to the goodness and grace of God in providing a ram to take the place of his son, Isaac, upon the altar of sacrifice. And it is the testimony of every sinner who sees Christ, as his Substitute, sacrificed upon the altar of divine justice at Mt. Calvary.

Free Provision

God’s provision upon the mount was made spontaneously. It was altogether voluntary and free. And the provision God made and displayed in the fullness of time at Calvary, when he gave his own dear Son to die in the place of sinners, was also voluntary, free, and spontaneous. Christ died for us freely, unsought, undesired, and unwanted. God sent his Son to redeem us, and Christ came to redeem us by his death, simply because he loved us (John 10:15-18; 1 John 3:16; 4:9-10).

Right Provision

The provision God makes is always the very thing needed — “a ram!” Here is a substitute to take Isaac’s place. That is just what was needed, a bloody sacrifice to die in the place of Isaac upon the altar. God knew what we needed; and only he could provide the needed Sacrifice. We needed a Substitute; and Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The Lord Jesus Christ is the Provision of God; and he is the Provision we need.

God’s Provision

And this provision for our need was made by God himself. Where shall a redemption be found by which it shall be possible for the vast multitude of God’s elect to be effectually redeemed from death and hell? Such a ransom could only be found by God himself. And he could find it only in himself. Since no one else could provide a ransom for our souls, God provided it and said, “Deliver them from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom” (Job 33:24).

Effectual Provision

One other thing must be said about this provision. — God’s provision is gloriously effectual. Isaac did not die! Like the ram that was slain for Isaac, our Lord Jesus Christ is a burnt offering, acceptable and well-pleasing to God on our behalf (Ephesians 5:2). By his one sacrifice, Christ put our sins away. Therefore God’s elect, those for whom the Lamb of God was slain, cannot die (Romans 8:1).

If Christ hast my discharge procured,

And freely in my room endured

The whole of wrath divine,

Payment God cannot twice demand,

First at my bleeding Surety's hand,

And then again at mine!

Don Fortner

Pastor Fortner’s