833. GEN 22:14. JEHOVAH-JIREH

Gen_22:14. Jehovah-Jireh

"And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-Jireh: as it is said to this day, in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen."’97Gen_22:14.

The text is connected with one of the most striking events in patriarchal times. God had called Abraham to be his servant. Given him illustrious promises. The fulfilment of these promises is long deferred. These promises related to a numberless nation springing from his loins; one of whom should be the Messiah’97the Redeemer of mankind.

Ishmael is born; but the promise was not to be fulfilled in him, or through his posterity. At length’97under the most unlikely circumstances’97Isaac is born of Sarah, when she was past age. He now had grown up to man’s estate,’97was at least twenty-five years of age. Abraham’s hope, therefore, would be bright and gladdening. Just at this time God resolves to tempt, or to try him. He gives forth the mandate for the sacrifice of Isaac, and that by his father’s hands. Abraham hears’97believes’97obeys. Preparation is made. The journey begun. The spot nearly reached. Isaac interrogates his beloved parent, as to the sacrifice to be offered up (Gen_22:8). The altar is reared’97Isaac bound (Gen_22:9). Now the arm of Abraham is lifted up, and God arrests the fatal blow (Gen_22:11-12). Then Abraham beheld a ram caught, which he offered up to the Lord. The place was then piously designated, "Jehovah-Jireh;" which signifies, the Lord will see, or provide.

Let us then consider the text as it is applicable,

I. To the provisions of grace. And,

II. As to the arrangements of Divine providence.

Look at the text as it applies,

I. To the provisions of grace.

Here the text seems to have its greatest significancy. Man, by guilt and rebellion, was exposed to peril and death. His doom was just and righteous. His condemnation was hopeless. He could not save himself, nor could any created hand rescue him. At this crisis, Jehovah saw, and felt, and provided the means of salvation. The provision God made for man was most extraordinary.

1. It was the innocent for the guilty.

As in the ram caught, which typified the offering of the Lord Jesus. So Christ the just, suffered for us the unjust. He had no sin. No real charge could be brought against him. He was holy, harmless, and separate from sinners. He was perfect purity. There was not even guile found in his mouth.

It is most obvious, if Christ had not been holy, he must have first offered up a sacrifice for himself, as the priests under the law did. Hence says the Apostle of him’97"Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore."’97Heb_7:27, Heb_7:28. Notice,

2. It was of God’s providing.

Not of man’s seeking, or obtaining; but God saw’97remembered us in our low estate. He sent his only-begotten Son to be the victim for sin. None but he could do it,’97none but he would do it. He only saw the depth of our misery,’97the extremity of our peril,’97and he only could send forth one, every way able to save to the uttermost our guilty and perishing world. Besides, it required the exercise of infinite grace to make such a provision for the vile, the worthless, and the self-ruined. Especially, too, when man had no desire to return to his original state of primeval purity. How needful that this view of God’s graciousness towards us should never be forgotten. For not only will it prevent all self-righteous boasting, but it will exhibit Jehovah, both as the source and final end of the sinner’s salvation. The apostle speaks of God, as the being "for whom are all things, and by whom are all things;" and while this will apply to all his works, it will more especially do so in reference to the provisions of mercy for our dying world.

3. By this offering, salvation was obtained for us.

It was so in the case of Isaac. He is released. Lives, and God is honored. So through Christ, we also have life. He stipulated that he only should die, and the rest be free. Our salvation is through the Lord Jesus Christ. But it differs from the case of Isaac, as it is the soul’s salvation; and not the mere rescue of the body from death. It is also eternal salvation. Besides, it includes the salvability not of one person only, but of the whole world. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."’97Joh_3:16. How delightful is the view thus given of God’s universal love and compassion! It was joyous to Abraham’s anxious heart, to have a substitute for Isaac’97but how much more joyous to the Father of mercy, to provide a propitiation for countless myriads of the human race. Notice,

4. The offering, in both cases, was in the land of Moriah.

Jerusalem was built in this land, and Christ died there; and probably on the very spot where Isaac had been typically and intentionally offered nineteen hundred years before. How interesting to observe how type and antitype agree. How the shadow is followed by the substance’97the prediction by the realization’97and the promise by the fulfilment. God did provide himself with an offering to take the place of Isaac; and Christ was thus typified, and strikingly set forth. God also signalized the same place, as being the scene of both events.

5. The place and offering should be had in perpetual remembrance.

Abraham signalized it. He gave it a special and appropriate name. How much more should Calvary and its victim be had in grateful perpetual remembrance. The cross and the sacrifice of Jesus is to be our grand theme of reflection and glorying. We are to remember and know nothing, in comparison of Christ, and him crucified. So great is this subject, that it is to be preached to the whole world, and to every creature;’97and eventually it is to attract the attention of all men. For Jesus said’97"And I if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me." The Lord’s Supper is to be the perpetual outward memorial of that great transaction on the tree. It is at his hallowed table that we are to keep before us the wondrous mystery of the passion and death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So much, then, for the text, in its application to the provisions of grace.

Look at it,

II. In its application to the arrangements of Divine Providence.

Now here we may behold the golden link between the sacrifice of Christ, and all needful good for God’s people. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things."’97Rom_8:32. God in Christ will see to it, and provide for all the need and exigencies of his people. "My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus."

We must never disassociate Christ as Lord of providence, because he is king of grace. For not only is he Mediator and Lord in his spiritual kingdom, but all things are given into his hand. And his government is universal, and his power and authority are over all. He who died for his people, also lives, and reigns, and makes all events and circumstances subservient to their welfare in both worlds. Hence we may remark,

1. In times of peril, he will provide deliverance.

So Paul experienced’97"For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raised the dead: who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us."’972Co_1:8-10. So it is promised’97"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."’971Co_10:13. The apostle triumphantly asks’97Who shall harm us, if we be the followers of that which is good?

2. He will provide a supply of all needful blessings.

Blessings of grace,’97for duty, for ordinary and special services for God. He will also give strength in suffering, and abounding consolation. He will not withhold any good thing. The whole man’97body and soul’97he will care for; and this care shall be so special and complete, that Christ declares to his disciples,’97the very hairs of their head are all numbered. It is on this principle that the apostle admonishes us:’97"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."’97Philip, 1Co_4:6, 1Co_4:7. So the Apostle Peter urges’97"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."’971Pe_5:7.

3. He will provide an everlasting home for his people, when they die.

Now this consoling truth is most beautifully set forth in various forms, by the sacred writers. The Psalmist says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Hence, Jesus also said to his sorrowing disciples’97"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Joh_14:1-3. So Paul felt, that to live was Christ, but to die would be gain; as by death, he would depart and be with Christ, which would be far better. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."’972Co_5:1. So that most sublime prayer of Jesus, just before his death, fully teaches,’97"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."’97Joh_17:24. Now the arrangements of Divine Providence, in reference to all the concerns and interests of God’s people, will always be exact, sufficient, and sure. Learn, then,

1. The claims of a providing God on your love, obedience, and devotedness! If you can depend on the Divine goodness, how you should feel obligated to him; and how by praise and thanksgiving, you should daily bless and magnify his name.

2. See what is the interest and happiness of man to obtain. An interest in the gracious promises made. If God provides mercy, we must seek and obtain it. If he offers salvation, we must willingly accept it. If he never fails in merciful care, we must never cease to avail ourselves of it, by faith and constant prayer. For if we have not, it is because we ask not; or, because we ask amiss.

Learn,

3. The consolation of God’s people. To remember his name’97"Jehovah-Jireh;" and to use it in times of sorrow and peril. His name is a strong tower, and the righteous runneth into it, and are safe.

Well may the believer exultingly sing,’97

"This is the God we adore,

Our faithful unchangeable Friend;

Whose love is as great as his power,

Which neither knows measure nor end.

‘Tis Jesus, the first and the last,

Whose spirit shall guide us safe home;

We’ll praise him for all that is past,

And trust him for all that’s to come."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS