Jehovah-Jireh (or Yahweh-Yireh) is a name ascribed to the God of scripture. It is commonly translated, “The Lord will provide.” It is the name that Abraham gave to the place where the Lord led him to sacrifice his son Isaac. But at the critical moment, the Lord stopped Abraham from carrying out the sacrifice of his son, and provided a ram to take the place of Isaac on the altar (Genesis 22.14).
Yahweh-Yireh is the name to which believers refer when facing situations where resources seem deficient or wanting. While a student in seminary, like many of my fellow seminarians I faced some financial challenges. One particular time, I received a notice from the accounting department that my tuition (plus lodging fees) was past due. I became concerned because I really did not have enough to pay my dues. And if I could not pay, I would have to discontinue my studies.
Then, that same week I was called to the accounting office. I was thinking, “This is it. I will be informed that I had to pack my bags and head for home.” But, to my surprise, I instead was informed that my account was fully paid, and that I even had some extra money credited to me. As it turned out, a friend (with whom I hadn’t been in contact for a couple of years) somehow felt prompted to send money to the seminary to cover my financial needs. Just like that. No communication between us whatsoever. It must be God. Yahweh-Yireh!
And I have heard many similar testimonies of how the Lord provided in surprising, even mysterious, ways. The name inspires believers to trust the God who provides.
However, I have also come to recognize that the promise of God’s provision is not something like a signed blank check that I can use for anything that I want. In the account of Abraham and the (attempted) sacrifice of Isaac, what God provided was a resource for Abraham to complete his act of trusting obedience. In other words, God’s provision is intended to help me fulfill God’s purpose for my life. The focus is not so much the meeting of my needs, but God and his redemptive purpose for all creation—and the privilege of being enabled to become partners with him in that purpose.
“The fear of lack causes us to seek security in riches. The fear of God causes us to seek abundance for expanding God’s kingdom” (John Bevere). Indeed, trusting God to provide for all my needs liberates me to serve God with unhindered devotion. Yahweh-Yireh.
—Keith Y. Jainga