"God" is not His only name.
You are probably known by different names. Those names reflect both your character and your relationships with those around you. For example, people who know me professionally call me Dr. Hemphill, yet others who know me personally call me Ken. My children call me Daddy and my grandkids call me Papa.
Not surprisingly, God has also been known by many names throughout the centuries.
The many names of God revealed in Scripture tell us much about His character. Those names invite us to know Him in a growing, intimate relationship. Knowing these names is important for three reasons:
- God’s name is inherently great. “LORD, our Lord, how magnificent is your name throughout the earth!” (Ps. 8:1). Understanding the names of God will enable us to praise and worship Him more effectively.
- God’s name protects and benefits us. “The name of the LORD is a strong tower” (Prov. 18:10). God’s various names can be a tremendous aid to effective and specific prayer.
- We represent God’s name and must bring honor to it. God gave Ten Commandments, and one of those Commandments has to do with His name: “Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God” (Ex. 20: 7). This command means far more than avoiding its use in vulgar or slang expressions. It means the people of God must reflect His name or character in their lives.
The names of God are a love gift to us. God reveals Himself fully so that we might experience His fullness. As we look at six of those names, we’ll discover truths about the lovely character of our God.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
A few years ago, my wife, Paula, and I chose to move closer to our extended families. That might not seem like a hard decision, but things didn’t fall together the way we expected. To make it even more challenging, my wife was diagnosed with cancer in the midst of the transition. We moved ahead, though, choosing to trust God and not our circumstances. We trusted and God provided.
When we look back, we can see God’s hand at work. Our home has given us a quiet retreat—a wonderful healing place for Paula. God provides what we need, when we need it. Abraham knew this too. God truly is our Provider, and Abraham saw God’s provision as he trusted Him during a great test of his faith.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Genesis 22:1-2
1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. 2 “Take your son,” he said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”
Abraham is commonly seen as a great example of someone who exercised strong faith. (See Heb. 11:8.) But Abraham’s journey wasn’t always easy. In fact, there were moments when he faltered:
In his fear, Abraham claimed Sarah was not his wife—twice! (See Gen. 12:12-13; 20:1-3.)
In his doubt, Abraham attempted to “help” fulfill God’s promise through having a son by Sarah’s slave Hagar. (See 18:1-3.)
In Genesis 22, Abraham faced his greatest test of faith. Verse 1 begins with an interesting phrase that is easy to overlook: “After these things.” Moses, the writer of Genesis, wanted us to think back over Abraham’s long journey that had led him from Ur of the Chaldeans to this very conversation with God.
God called to Abram when he was 75 years old (see Gen. 12:4), instructing him to leave his land, his relatives, and his father’s house—everything that was familiar and comfortable. In return, God promised to bless Abram by making him into a great nation that would bless all the nations of the earth. (See v. 2.) This was problematic because Abraham had no children and his wife, Sarah, was barren. Even so, “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness ” (15:6).
Abraham eventually did have a son, Isaac, although it took 25 years for God’s promise to be fulfilled. (See 21:1-7.) Genesis 22 took place several years after Isaac’s birth.
What’s your initial reaction to these verses?
Given Abraham’s story, God’s command in verse 2 is difficult to understand: “Take your son … your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”
Notice God’s detailed description of Isaac: “your son … your only son Isaac, whom you love.” This wasn’t simply “a son” God required of Abraham. It was his only son. It was Isaac, the son whom you love. This son was not only dear to Abraham, he was essential to God’s promises concerning the blessing of the nations—yet he was about to be offered as a sacrifice.
Genesis 22:3-10
3 So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac. In his hand he took the fire and the knife, and the two of them walked on together. 7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.” And he replied, “Here I am, my son.” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together. 9 When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
How do Abraham’s actions in these verses demonstrate faith?
The text gives us no clue as to how much time passed between verses 8 and 9. Having arrived at the place God designated, Abraham built the altar and arranged the wood in preparation for the sacrifice. This work might have taken considerable time, and I’ve often wondered if any additional dialogue passed between Abraham and Isaac. The text is silent. We are only told with utter simplicity that Abraham “bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood,” and then raised his knife to kill his beloved son.
Just reading the account leaves us nearly breathless. There’s no doubt Abraham was committed to obey the command of God. Yet we should understand that Abraham’s actions were based on his understanding of God’s character. Our circumstances never test the faithfulness of God; they only test our understanding of His character and purpose.
When have you experienced a time of testing?
Genesis 22:11-14
11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.” 12 Then he said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.” 13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said: “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.”
This place of divine encounter became sacred for Abraham, and so he called it “The LORD Will Provide.” This is the literal translation of the name Jehovah Jireh. The Hebrew word jireh can be translated “to see.” We may wonder what the connection is between “seeing” and “providing.” We can make the connection with the English noun “provision,” a compound made up of two Latin words which when taken together mean “to see beforehand.” God’s pre-vision leads to His provision. God knew before Abraham ever reached Moriah that he would need a sacrifice; therefore, God personally provided the ram.
This is an amazing picture of salvation. Before the foundation of the world, God had prior vision of man’s sin and rebellion. Seeing our need, He made provision for our redemption by providing a lamb of sacrifice—Jesus, “his one and only Son” (John 3:16).
Notice that it was Abraham’s obedience that unleashed God’s blessings in his life. (See Gen. 22:16-18.) For us as well, obedience is the key to growing faith. James spoke to this issue with great clarity when he compared those who hear God’s Word and refuse to act with those who hear and do act. The latter will be blessed in what they do. (See Jas. 1:23-25.)
If you desire to unleash God’s blessing in your life—if you want to discover that God is your Provider— then obey His Word. Obey immediately and without reservation, and see all that God will provide.
How can our actions and attitudes demonstrate that we
serve the God who provides?
LIVE IT OUT
- Identify your Isaac. What circumstance, person, or thing are you having the most difficulty placing in God’s care? Pray this week for the faith necessary to let go.
- Place your Isaac on the altar. Abraham had to first gather the resources necessary to make a sacrifice before he could find God’s provision. Identify concrete steps you can take to place your “Isaac” in God’s care.
- Look for God’s provision. Write down the ways God provides for you this week. Make known to others the good things God is providing in your life.
You can experience a breakthrough in your faith walk when you are willing to trust God with those things you hold most precious. Make that decision today and trust Jehovah Jireh, the God Who Provides.
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"God" is not His only name.
You are probably known by different names. Those names reflect both your character and your relationships with those around you. For example, people who know me professionally call me Mr. Ballinger, yet others who know me personally call me David or Dave. My children call me Dad and my grandchild now, will call me Papa.
God has also been known by many names throughout the centuries.
Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Will Provide / Jehovah Rapha – The Lord Who Heals
Jehovah Nissi – The Lord Is My Banner / Jehovah Shalom – The Lord Is Peace
Jehovah Rohi – The Lord Is My Shepherd / Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord Is Our Righteousness
Video: Abraham & Isaac
Our tendency is to live by what we can see. We believe what we can touch. We’re confident when what we need is right in front of us. But life does not always hand us easy answers and quick solutions. A life in Christ is a life of trust – trusting Him to provide what we need even when we don’t readily see the answer. Abraham showed us that God truly is our Provider.
Genesis 22:1-2
1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. 2 “Take your son,” he said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”
In Genesis 22, Abraham faced his greatest test of faith. Verse 1 begins with an interesting phrase that is easy to overlook: “After these things.” Moses, the writer of Genesis, wanted us to think back over Abraham’s long journey that had led him from Ur of the Chaldeans to this very conversation with God.
- In his fear, Abraham claimed Sarah was not his wife—twice! (See Gen. 12:12-13; 20:1-3.)
- In his doubt, Abraham attempted to “help” fulfill God’s promise through having a son by Sarah’s slave Hagar. (See 18:1-3.)
What’s your initial reaction to these verses?
Since God knows what we will do in advance, why did He test Abraham in this way?
When have you been tested to trust that God would provide what you needed when the provision wasn’t apparent?
Why did God command Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?
- God was testing the level of Abraham’s faith. Genuine faith is connected with obedience (James 2:21-24). Abraham did what God told him to do. 1. “On the third day” – Evidently it was a long journey to the place where God commanded Abraham to make the sacrifice. Abraham told his servants, “We will…come again to you.” He knew God could bring Isaac back from the dead if He so chose (Hebrews 11:17-19). One thing is certain: Abraham knew God was in control.
How did Abraham respond to God’s command to sacrifice Isaac?
- With immediate obedience.
- Obedience led to provision -- the provision of Jehovah Jireh. God did not provide the lamb until Abraham had shown His willingness to be obedient to God regardless of the cost to himself.
Some years ago, James Dobson wrote a book titled When God Doesn’t Make Sense. He talked about things in life that put our faith in God to the test. If your faith has never been tested, chances are you haven’t been a Christian for very long. We still live in a fallen world, and as believers we’re not immune to its unfairness. When tragedy strikes – such as the death of a loved one, or a financial setback, or some other type of injustice – we’re often tempted to ask God, “Why?” If God truly loves us, why does He allow us to experience such heartache?
We can only imagine what went through Abraham’s mind when God commanded him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Hadn’t God promised to bless Isaac’s descendants? How could God bless his descendants if Isaac was going to die so young? This command did not make a bit of sense, but Abraham obeyed it anyway. This episode gives us some important lessons about trusting God in all circumstances.
I. Our Faith Will Often be Tested
God tested Abraham, not to trip him and watch him fall, but to deepen his capacity to obey God and develop his character. Just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God refines us through difficult circumstances. Over the years Abraham had learned many tough lessons about the importance of obeying God. Obeying God is often a struggle because it may mean giving up something we truly want. We should not expect our obedience to God to be easy or to come naturally. We may have life experiences that God either orchestrates or allows to test the depth of our faith. Our commitment to God is to exceed anybody or anything that we consider most precious to us.
Identify your Isaac. What circumstance, person, or thing are you having the most difficulty placing in God’s care? Pray this week for the faith necessary to let go.
Genesis 22:3-10
3 So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac. In his hand he took the fire and the knife, and the two of them walked on together. 7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.” And he replied, “Here I am, my son.” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together. 9 When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
How do Abraham’s actions in these verses demonstrate faith?
- We can hear Abraham’s faith in his instructions to the young men: “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you”. How could he be so confident? The writer of Hebrews gave us insight into Abraham’s thoughts as he took his son to Mount Moriah: “He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking” (Heb. 11:19). Abraham was convinced that God, who had already performed one miracle by putting life into a barren womb, could raise Isaac from the dead. In short, Abraham had arrived at a point in his faith journey where he was confident he could trust God with his most valued possession: his only son.
- The text gives us no clue as to how much time passed between verses 8 and 9. Having arrived at the place God designated, Abraham built the altar and arranged the wood in preparation for the sacrifice. This work might have taken considerable time, and I’ve often wondered if any additional dialogue passed between Abraham and Isaac. The text is silent. We are only told with utter simplicity that Abraham “bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood,” and then raised his knife to kill his beloved son.
When have you experienced a time of testing?
An uneasy conversation. As they made their way up the mountain, they had what must have been a very awkward conversation. Isaac asked why they didn’t have a lamb for the sacrifice. Abraham did not give a direct answer but assured his son that God would provide the lamb. Evidently Isaac was satisfied with this reply. It is noteworthy that Isaac carried the firewood, not Abraham. Abraham was an old man when Isaac was born, and Isaac was probably in his teens by this time. Since Abraham could not have put Isaac on the altar by force, Isaac must have really trusted him. Do you trust God in all circumstances? Do your children know that you trust God in all things? During times of financial stress. When tragedy strikes the family. Pastors, do your church members know that you trust God? When things aren’t going well in your ministry. When your church lacks resources. During times of spiritual warfare.
Why does God test us?
When we ask why God tests us or allows us to be tested, we are admitting that testing does indeed come from Him. When God tests His children, He does a valuable thing. David sought God’s testing, asking Him to examine his heart and mind and see that they were true to Him (Psalm 26:2; 139:23). When Abram was tested by God in the matter of sacrificing Isaac, Abram obeyed (Hebrews 11:17–19) and showed to all the world that he is the father of faith (Romans 4:16). In both the Old and New Testaments, the words translated “test” mean “to prove by trial.” Therefore, when God tests His children, His purpose is to prove that our faith is real. Not that God needs to prove it to Himself since He knows all things, but He is proving to us that our faith is real, that we are truly His children, and that no trial will overcome our faith. The testing or trials we undergo come in various ways. Becoming a Christian will often require us to move out of our comfort zones and into the unknown. Perseverance in testing results in spiritual maturity and completeness. This is why James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). The testing of faith can come in small ways and daily irritations; they may also be severe afflictions (Isaiah 48:10) and attacks from Satan (Job 2:7). Whatever the source of the testing, it is to our benefit to undergo the trials that God allows.
The account of Job is a perfect example of God’s allowing one of His saints to be tested by the devil. Job bore all his trials patiently and “did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:22). However, the account of Job’s testing is proof that Satan’s ability to try us is limited by God’s sovereign control. No demon can test or afflict us with beyond what God has ordained. All our trials work toward God’s perfect purpose and our benefit.
There are many examples of the positive results of being tested. The psalmist likens our testing to being refined like silver (Psalm 66:10). Peter speaks of our faith as “of greater worth than gold,” and that’s why we “suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6–7). In testing our faith, God causes us to grow into strong disciples who truly live by faith and not by what we see (2 Corinthians 5:7).
When we experience the storms of life, we should be like the tree that digs its roots ever more deeply for a greater grip in the earth. We must “dig our roots” more deeply into God’s Word and cling to His promises so we can weather whatever storms come against us. Most comforting of all, we know that God will never allow us to be tested beyond what we are able to handle by His power. His grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). “That is why,” Paul said, “for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
II. Trust God to Provide What We Need
Place your Isaac on the altar. God did not want Isaac to die, but He wanted Abraham to sacrifice Isaac in his heart so it would be clear that Abraham loved God more than he loved his promised and long-awaited son. God was testing Abraham. The purpose of the testing is to strengthen our character and deepen our commitment to God and His perfect timing. Through his obedience, Abraham learned about God’s ability to provide.
Faith in God is to be seen as a serious matter, not an easy path.
Faith is the readiness to answer God even when we do not completely understand.
Genesis 22:11-14
11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.” 12 Then he said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.” 13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said: “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.”
This place of divine encounter became sacred for Abraham, and so he called it “The LORD Will Provide.” This is the literal translation of the name Jehovah Jireh.
An unexpected conclusion. Abraham was about to go through with it, but God stopped him. God explained that the sacrifice was only a test. His willingness to sacrifice Isaac proved that he wanted to honor God above all things – even his own son. God renewed His promise to Abraham. Abraham saw a ram caught in a nearby thicket. God had provided a lamb for the sacrifice, just as Abraham had said He would. Abraham offered the ram in Isaac’s place. Many people see this sacrifice as a “type” of Jesus. While we must be careful not to read things into Scripture that aren’t there, we can definitely see some parallels! Abraham named the place “Jehovah-jireh”, which means, “the Lord will provide”. Do you trust God to provide for all your needs? This does not mean Christians shouldn’t work to provide for their families (2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8). When we seek God first, we can trust Him to take care of all our other needs (Matthew 6:25-34). He also provides emotional strength to face life’s trials. Do you trust Him enough to obey Him in all things, even when you don’t understand?
What was the connection between Abraham’s obedience and God’s provision?
- Notice that it was Abraham’s obedience that unleashed God’s blessings in his life. (See Gen. 22:16-18.) For us as well, obedience is the key to growing faith. James spoke to this issue with great clarity when he compared those who hear God’s Word and refuse to act with those who hear and do act. The latter will be blessed in what they do. (See Jas. 1:23-25.) If you desire to unleash God’s blessing in your life—if you want to discover that God is your Provider— then obey His Word. Obey immediately and without reservation, and see all that God will provide.
How is Jesus the ultimate demonstration of God’s provision for us?
What breakthrough are you trusting God for this week?
III. God Provides
Look for God’s provision. Write down the ways God provides for you this week. Make known to others the good things God is providing in your life. It is difficult to let go of what we deeply love. What could be more proper than to love your only child? Yet when we do give to God what He asks, He returns to us far more than we could dream.
The God who sometimes tests us always provides for us.
God meets the needs of everyone who trusts Him.
What does it mean that God is Jehovah-Jireh?
“Jehovah-Jireh” is one of the many different names of God found in the Old Testament. “Jehovah-Jireh” is the KJV’s translation of YHWH-Yireh and means “The LORD Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14). It is the name memorialized by Abraham when God provided the ram to be sacrificed in place of Isaac.
The story begins with a strange command from God to Abraham, instructing him to offer his “son of promise,” Isaac, as a burnt offering. Early the next morning, Abraham packs wood and a knife, and he and Isaac travel to Moriah, the place God had specified. As they near the site, Isaac questions Abraham concerning the intended offering: “Where is the lamb?” With great faith and foresight, Abraham responds, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (Genesis 22:1-8). The New Testament tells us that Abraham believed God would raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:19). Upon reaching the place God had chosen, Abraham demonstrates his faith and obedience by building an altar, binding Isaac, and placing him on the wood. Before Abraham can finish the offering, the Angel of the Lord calls to him from heaven, and Isaac’s life is spared. Then, “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” (Genesis 22:13). Abraham names the place “Jehovah-Jireh” because of God’s gracious provision of a substitute for Isaac. Immediately afterwards, God reconfirms His covenant with Abraham (v 17-18). Centuries later, King Solomon would build the temple in the same location (2 Chronicles 3:1).
The account of Abraham on Mt. Moriah thus becomes more than a dramatic illustration of faith and obedience. It is a presentation of the Lord’s eternal grace, continual provision, and all-encompassing wisdom. Jehovah-Jireh is not “The LORD Did Provide,” but “The LORD Will Provide.” In other words, the name does not simply memorialize a past event; it anticipates a future action.
Likewise, the statement “on the mountain of the LORD it will be provided” (verse 14) refers to more than Mt. Moriah—it also refers to a hill called Calvary, where God “did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all” (Romans 8:32). Abraham’s faith-filled statement that “God himself will provide the lamb” is a companion to John the Baptist’s exclamation, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
Jehovah-Jireh provided a sacrifice to save Isaac, and that action was a foreshadowing of the provision of His Son for the salvation of the world.
Join us this Sunday as we begin this new series, GOD IS ...
Hope to see you!
In His Love,
David & Susan
