The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is involved in a study that has the potential to deepen our understanding of the very character and nature of God. As many of you know, names in the Bible are not merely labels; they reveal profound truths about who a person is. This is especially true when we consider the names of God. Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself through various names, each highlighting a unique aspect of His being, His power, His love, and His relationship with humanity. Over the coming sessions, we will explore some of these powerful names, such as Elohim, Jehovah, Adonai, and many others, uncovering the rich tapestry of God's self-revelation and how understanding these names can enrich our prayer lives and our walk of faith.
These are the notes to session three.
The combination names of Jehovah reveal different facets of His character by pairing His covenant name, often translated as LORD, Yahweh or Jehovah, with words that describe specific attributes or actions. The first combination name we will consider is Jehovah-Jireh. This name means "The LORD Will Provide." It was revealed to Abraham when God provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice for Isaac. This name reveals God's character as a loving provider who anticipates our needs and makes provision for us, especially in times of testing. The most important thing to remember from this session is that OBEDIENCE COMES BEFORE PROVISION
Exodus 3:14-15 NIV [14] God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ” [15] God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.
Here are some key ways God describes Himself or is described in the Bible:
The One and Only God: God emphasizes His uniqueness and demands exclusive worship. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." (Deuteronomy 6:4). He also declares through Isaiah, "I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God." (Isaiah 45:5).
Creator: The Bible begins by identifying God as the Creator of the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). This establishes His power, sovereignty, and ownership over all creation.
Merciful and Gracious: After the golden calf incident, God reveals His character to Moses: "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin."1 (Exodus 34:6-7a).
Holy: God's separateness, otherness, and moral perfection are central. "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isaiah 6:3). This holiness demands reverence.
Jealous: This isn't petty jealousy, but rather God's righteous zeal for His own honor and for the exclusive devotion of His people. He describes Himself as a "jealous God" in the Ten Commandments, particularly regarding idolatry (Exodus 20:5).
Love: The New Testament particularly emphasizes this attribute: "God is love." (1 John 4:8, 16). This love is demonstrated most profoundly, according to Christian belief, in the sending of Jesus.
Father: Jesus frequently referred to God as "Father," emphasizing a personal, caring, and authoritative relationship (e.g., Matthew 6:9 - The Lord's Prayer).
Savior / Redeemer: Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God acts to rescue and redeem His people, both physically and spiritually (e.g., Isaiah 43:11, Luke 1:47).
Light: "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5). This speaks to His purity, truth, and revelation.
Jehovah-Jireh (Genesis 22:14): This name means "The LORD Will Provide." It was revealed to Abraham when God provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice for Isaac. This name reveals God's character as a loving provider who anticipates our needs and makes provision for us, especially in times of testing.
Jehovah-Rapha (Exodus 15:26): This name means "The LORD Who Heals." It was revealed after the Israelites were delivered from Egypt and experienced bitter water that God made sweet. This name highlights God's character as the one who heals, both physically and spiritually.
Jehovah-Nissi (Exodus 17:15): This name means "The LORD Our Banner." Moses used this name after the Israelites defeated the Amalekites. It signifies that the Lord is our banner, our rallying point, and the one who gives us victory in our battles. He is our protector and the standard under which we fight.
Jehovah-Shalom (Judges 6:24): This name means "The LORD Is Peace." Gideon called the altar he built by this name after the Angel of the LORD spoke to him and assured him he would not die. This name reveals God's character as the source of true peace, completeness, and harmony.
Jehovah-Tsidkenu (Jeremiah 23:6): This name means "The LORD Our Righteousness." This prophetic name points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would be the embodiment of God's righteousness. It reveals that God is just and that He provides a way for us to be righteous through faith in Him.
Jehovah-Rohi (Psalm 23:1): This name means "The LORD Is My Shepherd." David uses this intimate name to describe God's care, provision, guidance, and protection for His people, just as a shepherd cares for his sheep.
Jehovah-Shammah (Ezekiel 48:35): This name means "The LORD Is There." This is the name given to the city in Ezekiel's vision of the restored Israel, signifying God's abiding presence with His people. It reveals that God will never abandon those who belong to Him.
These combined names of Jehovah offer profound insights into the multifaceted character of God, revealing Him as not only the sovereign Lord but also as our personal provider, healer, banner, peace, righteousness, shepherd, and ever-present God.
Jehovah Jireh is one of the names of God found in the Old Testament. It is a Hebrew phrase that literally means "The LORD Will Provide." It can also be understood as "The LORD Will See To It" or "I Am Will Provide." Jehovah-Jireh occurs only once in the Bible.
This name was first revealed in a pivotal moment in the Bible, highlighting God's provision in a dramatic way.
Background of Isaac’s birth and begins with a promise that God made to Abraham and Sarah
Genesis 22:1-14 NIV [1] Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. [2] Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” [3] Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. [4] On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. [5] He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” [6] Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, [7] Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” [8] Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. [9] When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. [10] Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. [11] But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. [12] “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” [13] Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. [14] 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 context of this name is the story of Abraham being commanded by God to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering. This was an immense test of Abraham's faith, as Isaac was his only son through whom God had promised to establish a great nation.
Genesis 21:8-13 NIV [8] The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. [9] But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, [10] and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” [11] The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. [12] But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. [13] I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”
In Genesis 21:12, the word "reckoned" means to be regarded, considered, or accounted for in a specific way. In this context, God is telling Abraham that his descendants who will be considered his true lineage for the fulfillment of God's promises will be those who come through Isaac, not through Ishmael.
Here are some ways the word "reckoned" can be understood in this verse:
Considered as: Isaac's descendants would be the ones considered as Abraham's true seed for the covenant.
Accounted as: They would be the ones who would carry on Abraham's line and the promises associated with it.
Named through: The lineage and heritage would be traced through Isaac.
Lineage of promise: Isaac's offspring would be the line through which God's promises to Abraham would be fulfilled.
As Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah, the angel of the LORD called out to him, stopping him. Abraham then saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns and offered it as a burnt offering instead of his son. It was in response to this divine provision that Abraham named the place "The LORD Will Provide" - Jehovah Jireh.
When Abraham called the place Jehovah-Jireh he did not mean God’s provision for everything, only that He had provided the lamb for his sacrifice on Mount Moriah.
Today Christians call on the name of Jehovah-Jireh as the provider of all our needs.
Here are some other relevant scriptures that highlight the theme of God's provision, care, and faithfulness, which are central to understanding Jehovah Jireh:
On God's Provision:
Psalm 23:1: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." (This psalm beautifully illustrates God's role as a provider who meets all our needs.)
Philippians 4:19: "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (This New Testament verse assures believers that God will provide for them.)
Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Jesus teaches that when we prioritize God, He will take care of our material needs.)
Psalm 34:10: "The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." (This verse emphasizes that those who seek God will not lack what is truly good.)
2 Corinthians 9:8: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (This scripture highlights God's abundant provision that enables us to live generously.)
On God's Care:
1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (This verse encourages us to rely on God's care in all our worries and anxieties.)
Matthew 6:26: "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Jesus uses the example of birds to illustrate God's care for His creation, especially humans.)
Psalm 121:7-8: "The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." (This psalm speaks of God's constant and protective care over us.)
Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." (This verse reassures us of God's presence and unwavering care, promising never to leave us.)
On God's Faithfulness:
Lamentations 3:22-23: "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (This passage emphasizes the consistent and unending nature of God's faithfulness.)
2 Timothy 2:13: "if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself." (Even when we falter, God's faithfulness to His promises remains.)
1 Corinthians 1:9: "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (This verse speaks to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises through Jesus Christ.)
Hebrews 13:5: "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”" (This New Testament verse echoes God's promise of faithfulness and provision.)
These scriptures reinforce the truth that God is indeed Jehovah Jireh, the LORD who provides, cares for, and remains faithful to His people.
Matthew 6:25-34 (NKJV)25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?28 So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
We know that God is our source for everything we need and He cares about everything that we care about.
2 Peter 1:2-4 (NKJV)2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Jehovah-Jireh is not only our Provider He is;
Our shelter, refuge and hiding place
Psalm 91:2 (NKJV)2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
Our comforter
2 Corinthians 1:3 (NKJV)3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
Our healer
Psalm 103:3 (NKJV)3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
Our source of wisdom
James 1:5 (NKJV)5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
The Lord is our Provider. He loves us and He has a plans for us. He wants to bless us so we can fulfill His plan and purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Studying the name Jehovah Jireh and the story in Genesis 22 offers several important lessons:
God Tests Our Faith: The command to sacrifice Isaac was a profound test of Abraham's faith and obedience. Similarly, God may test our faith in various ways throughout our lives. These tests are not to harm us, but to refine our trust in Him.
God Provides in Unexpected Ways: Just when it seemed there was no way out for Abraham and Isaac, God provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice. This demonstrates that God's provision often comes in ways we do not anticipate. He can make a way where there seems to be no way.
God's Provision is Timely: The ram appeared at the exact moment Abraham needed it, preventing the sacrifice of Isaac. This highlights the perfect timing of God's provision. He is never late or early but always on time.
Faith Precedes Provision: Abraham acted in obedience to God's command, demonstrating his faith even before he saw the provision.
Genesis 22:8 NIV Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
Our faith in God should precede our experience of His provision. We are called to trust Him even when we don't see the solution.
Hebrews 11:17-19 NIV [17] By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, [18] even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” [19] Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
God's Ultimate Provision: Jesus Christ: Many theologians see the sacrifice of Isaac as a foreshadowing of God's ultimate provision for humanity: the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. Just as the ram was a substitute for Isaac, Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice to atone for our sins, providing a way for us to be reconciled with God. The phrase "On the mount of the LORD it shall be seen" can be interpreted prophetically, pointing to the future sacrifice of Jesus on Mount Calvary (near Mount Moriah).
Jehovah-Jireh provided the sacrifice to save Isaac, and that action was a shadow of the provision of His Son Jesus, as the sacrifice for the salvation of the world.
Jehovah-Jireh provided the sacrifice and just as Abraham took the lamb on Mount Moriah and accepted and used it as his sacrifice we must accept Jesus the Lamb of God as the sacrifice on our behalf.
John 1:29 (NKJV)29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Trust in God's Character: The story of Jehovah Jireh reassures us of God's loving and providing character. He is not a God who commands something impossible without also providing the means to fulfill His will or to meet our needs.
Remembering God's Faithfulness: Abraham named the place Jehovah Jireh as a memorial to God's provision. This reminds us of the importance of remembering God's faithfulness in our own lives, as it strengthens our trust in Him for the future.
1 Corinthians 1:9: "God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (NIV)
2 Thessalonians 3:3: "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." (NIV)
Hebrews 10:23: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (NIV)
2 Timothy 2:13: "if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself." (NIV)
1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (NIV)
Knowing God as Jehovah-Jireh, "The LORD Will Provide," is profoundly important for our lives today because it offers a foundational understanding of God's character that can shape how we navigate our needs and challenges. Here's why it matters:
Fosters Trust and Reduces Anxiety: In a world filled with uncertainty and anxieties about finances, health, and the future, knowing God as Jehovah-Jireh provides immense comfort. It reminds us that God sees our needs and has the ability and desire to provide for them. This understanding can help alleviate fear and cultivate a deeper trust in God's care.
Changes Our Perspective on Needs: When we recognize God as our Provider, our perspective on our needs shifts. We understand that our ultimate source of provision is not our job, our bank account, or other people, but God himself. This encourages us to rely on Him rather than solely on our own efforts or material resources.
Encourages Gratitude: Recognizing God as Jehovah-Jireh cultivates a heart of gratitude. We begin to see even the smallest blessings as gifts from His hand, fostering a thankful attitude in all circumstances.
Provides Hope in Difficult Times: When facing situations where resources are scarce or solutions seem impossible, remembering God as Jehovah-Jireh brings hope. Just as He provided for Abraham in a seemingly impossible situation, He can provide for us today. This doesn't necessarily mean we will always get what we want, but it assures us that God will provide what we truly need according to His perfect plan.
Motivates Generosity: Knowing that God is the ultimate provider can also inspire us to be more generous with what we have. Recognizing that our resources come from Him motivates us to share with others in need, reflecting His own generous character.
Guides Our Prayers: Understanding God as Jehovah-Jireh shapes our prayer life. Instead of just listing our demands, we approach Him with the confidence that He is aware of our needs and is willing to act on our behalf. Our prayers become more about seeking His will and trusting His provision rather than dictating our desires.
Offers Spiritual Insight: The story of Abraham on Mount Moriah also foreshadows God's ultimate provision through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. In this sense, Jehovah-Jireh points to God's provision for our greatest need – salvation and reconciliation with Him.
In our daily lives, whether we are facing financial difficulties, health concerns, relationship challenges, or spiritual battles, knowing God as Jehovah-Jireh reminds us that we are not alone and that our faithful God will provide what we need to navigate these circumstances and ultimately fulfill His purposes in our lives.
Bible Study Audio
.jpg)
