This morning I continue our series entitled, “Standing on a Word from God.” This is Part 23. We have been looking at the life of Abraham for weeks. Today we will look at Genesis 22:13,14. The Bible says:
Then Abraham noticed a ram whose horns were caught in a bush. So Abraham went and took the ram. He offered it, instead of his son, as a sacrifice to God. So Abraham gave that place a name, “The Lord Provides.” Even today people say, “On the mountain of the Lord, he will give us what we need.”
(Gen 22:13,14 ERV)
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Jehovah-Jireh is the name of a place.
- a) In the Bible our God was given many names. I did a series on the names of God back in 2005. Here is the link to the series if you are interested: http://todaysword.org/teaching-series/foundational/the-names-of-god/. In that series I covered the following names:
- El Shaddai
- El Elyon
- Adonai
- Jehovah
- Jehovah-Nissi
- Jehovah-Rohi
- Jehovah-Rapha
- Jehovah-Shammah
- Jehovah-Tsidkenu
- Jehovah-MKaddesh
- Jehovah-Jireh
- Jehovah-Shalom
- Jehovah-Sabaoth
- El Olam
- El Gibhor
- El Roi
- Elohim
b) The name Jehovah-Jireh, mentioned Gen 22:14, is actually NOT like the rest of the names given to God throughout scripture. The other names we names people assigned to God, or names God revealed about Himself. Jehovah-Jireh, however, was NOT assigned to God. It was actually assigned to a PLACE. The texts says, “So Abraham gave that place a name, “The Lord Provides.” What is translated, “The Lord Provides” is actually the name Jehovah-Jireh. As you can see, this name was given to a PLACE, not to God Himself. So the text goes on to say that people say to this day: “On the mountain of the Lord, he will give us what we need.” Of all the redemptive names of God, this is the ONE that is actually connected more to a physical space, or place, rather than to God Himself.
2. Provision is about alignment.
a) God told Abraham to go to a specific place in the region of Mount Moriah. Abraham was not sure where he was going. But after three days of traveling, he looked up and immediately he knew which mountain top the Lord wanted him on. This was a specific place God wanted him to be. The “ram in the bush” was already prepared for the sacrifice, but Abraham had to discover the right place. Once he was in the right place and he was going the right things, the provision he needed was already in place for him. The same holds true for us today.
b) You were born with your destiny already laid out before you. Life is not about struggling, or working hard by the “sweat of your brow” to make yourself a success. It’s not about ‘pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps.’ No, life is a journey of discovery. You are to discover your purpose and walk therein. Once you do, you will also discover what you need to get it done. Powerful things happen when you make a human alignment with your divine assignment. Abraham was in the right place, so he was able to discover the sacrifice he could offer God in the place of his son. Abraham named that place, “The Lord Provides!” When you are in the right place, you too will discover the Lord to be a Lord of Provision.
c) If your life is a constant cycle of lack and struggle, it is an indication that you are out-of-alignment with God’s will.
3. God has stored up everything you will ever need for your divine assignment.
a) God has stored up everything you will ever need for your divine assignment. Your job is to discover your purpose. When you discover, develop in, and then deploy into your purpose, you will also discover God’s provision along the way.
b) Peter said, “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.” (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV). God has already given us ALL THINGS for life (what we will need in this world), and for godliness (what we need to live a holy life). We don’t work for or earn these things. We discover them. Peter tells us that they come “through the knowledge of Him.” Purpose is not decided, because God decided before we were born. Purpose is discovered. As you discover your purpose and walk therein, you also discover everything you need for life and godliness.
c) Where God gives vision He is also illuminating the path to provision. God has already prepared the provision for His vision. Our job is to discover the vision and walk in it. As we do, we will also discover the provision.
d) There is a place of provision. Abraham called that place “God Provides!” He was calling the place “Jehovah-Jireh!” I believe there are places of provision for us today as well. There are specific places assigned to us and when we align with God’s will and go to those places — it could be a church, a prayer closet, a place you go for a retreat, etc. — we discover God’s provision. We receive what He had already provided and it was waiting THERE for us.
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. I expect divine provision for Your vision. You don’t have to prepare to provide for me. You already provided. My provision is stored up for me and it is waiting on me to align with what You have assigned me to do. I declare that I make that alignment. I discover Your purpose. I discover Your will. I discover Your provision. And along the way, You assign special places for me — places of provision. I thank You for those. When I go there, I discover what You already gave me; what You prepared for me before the world began! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
