Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:14)

Pivotal in biblical history is the event in our passage today, Abraham offering up Isaac, his promised son. Abraham had waited long for God’s promise of descendants, but he believed.

“The word of the LORD came to him, saying, “… one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir … Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” (Gen 15:4–6)

God reaffirmed the promise made long before, but now Abraham was pushing 80-90 years old and it had not happened yet, not even the first descendant! But against all human sensibilities, Abraham dared to believe with an audacious, unwavering faith. And, note it well, God “reckoned it to him as righteousness.” Yes, this was absolutely pivotal, as our salvation today is rooted in this very event! Righteousness is not something earned or merited, but comes from the promises of God. We are blessed in salvation today through faith, just as Abraham was blessed through His faith in God’s promises.

Fast forward, Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 years old (Genesis 21), becoming for us the supreme example of patience waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled! Continuing ahead, when Isaac became a boy old enough to carry wood, God commanded Abraham to sacrifice him as a burnt offering. Today, we recoil at such a command, but God who gives life and takes life (and does so every time someone dies) can command the taking of life. Lest we bog down, we must note the point of the story is that God was testing Abraham’s faith. Would he choose familial feelings over faithful obedience?

Did Abraham know exactly what God was going to do when he told his unsuspecting son, “God will provide for Himself a lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (Gen 22:8)? The writer of Hebrews said, “He [Abraham] considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him [Isaac] back as a type” (Heb 11:19). Just as Abraham lifted his knife to begin the sacrifice, the Angel of the LORD stopped him, and provided an animal for sacrifice instead. I am sure to his great relief and joy, Abraham assigned this epithet to that place of sacrifice: “The LORD Will Provide” (Yahweh Jireh).

LORD, I commit to obeying You in faith, no matter how difficult Your command, because I believe that You are Yahweh Jireh, the One who Provides!