Title: Jehovah-jireh (Genesis 22:14)
Contents
Title Jehovah Jireh / Scripture Genesis 22:14 / Space Daebok Church
***Introduction
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘Jehovah Jireh’? This is the name given to the area where Abraham built an altar right after he sacrificed his son Isaac in obedience to God's command. Because of this, Abraham's faith was recognized by God. And it became an opportunity to enjoy the blessings of God not only throughout his life, but also through his descendants.
First, let's look at the overall background of the text.
When Abraham was living in Ur of the Chaldeans, God called him. And God spoke of the great grace that he would show Abraham in the future, and commanded him to leave for the land he would show him. Abraham obeyed God's word and left his hometown and parents without knowing where he was going. Abraham was 75 years old when he left his hometown, and the land God led to was the land of Canaan. After that, Abraham went through many ups and downs while traveling here and there, but he did not give up his faith in God. God counted Abraham's faith as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). However, the promise God made when he left his hometown had not yet been fulfilled. When Abraham was 99 years old, God ‘promised’ to give him a son, and the next year, at the age of 100, he had a son, Isaac. After 25 years of receiving the promise, we have obtained the ‘seed to fulfill the promise’.
When Abraham's youngest son, Isaac, grew up and became a boy, God called Abraham. And he commanded him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, who would not hurt even if he put it in his eye, on Mount Moriah. Early in the morning after the command was given, Abraham without a word prepared a donkey, cut wood for the burnt offering, loaded it, and set out on a journey with his two servants and his son Isaac.
How painful was the trip? It must have been a time of trouble and anguish, as the death of his son, who will not hurt even if he puts it in his eyes, gets closer every time he moves. The Bible does not record Abraham's suffering. However, the trip of 3 days and 2 nights must have been painful for Abraham. When Abraham arrived at Mount Moriah, which God had instructed, Abraham had his two servants stay at the bottom of the mountain, cut down the wood for the burnt offering on his son, and climbed the mountain with fire and a sword.
On the way, his son Isaac asked his father. “Father, there is fire and wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” To this question, Abraham could not bear to say, 'You are the sacrifice', but answered, "Son, God Himself provides the lamb for a burnt offering."
Finally, we arrived at the place God had directed us to. Abraham built an altar of stones, spread wood on the altar, and tied up his son Isaac and placed it on the wood. And as he was about to slash his sword into the heart of his son, he said, “Abraham! Abraham!” I heard the voice of God urgently calling. God said, “Do not put your hand on the child. Do nothing to him. You have not withheld me, even your son, your only son, and now I know that you fear God.” After sacrificing the ram that God had prepared, Abraham named the land “Jehovahreh”. It means, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be prepared.”
The life of the saints is prepared and led by God.
God leads the way by preparing the way for His people who depend on Him. In Exodus 23:20, “I will send an angel before you to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared.” In John 14:2-3, Jesus said, “I will prepare a place for you. I go, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, you may be also.”
Acts 16 and below show the process of spreading the gospel in Europe. Let's take this process as an example.
God leads His people, who are zealous for the truth, on the right path, even if they have gone astray. And when they understand and obey God's will, He prepares the way for the saints. In other words, he has prepared a helper for the witness of the gospel of the Apostle Paul in Europe.
God prepared a ram to be used as a sacrifice in place of his son Isaac for obedient Abraham.
The most important key is our attitude toward the opportunity you have prepared for us.
Abraham prepared the faith to receive the blessings of God that were prepared for him and his descendants. During the given 25 years, Abraham had prepared for faith by living a faithful life that depended on God in any circumstance. And when given the opportunity, he took it without hesitation. He abandoned the wealth and glory and complacency in front of his eyes and chose the path of obedience by sacrificing his own reader, even though it was painful.
That's right. Although God prepares everything for the saints, it is us who prepare for that opportunity. Life doesn't rehearse, so the same opportunity doesn't come twice. Therefore, you should never forget that every moment of your life is an opportunity that will never come again. In other words, the work and time given to me now is the best opportunity and the best time to prepare for another opportunity. That is why Ephesians 6:6,7 says, “Do all things as to the Lord.” do it as to the Lord, not to men.”)
Do you also want to receive God's grace, and do you want a happy life and eternal life? All these graces have already been prepared for us by God. Do you believe that? So, what are you preparing for the opportunity God has prepared for you? Are you living your life without any preparation? Think about what talents have been given to you. And you must make full use of that talent. If you hide it in the ground, you will receive the reproof and destruction prepared by God.
God guides our lives through preaching through His Word. And when you faithfully follow their guidance, you will be given an opportunity. Although the life of Abraham, the life of Paul, and the life of Lydia were completely different, being faithful to one's own life, fearing God in that life, and obeying His guidance are the same.
In the same way today, if we are faithful to the life given to us, we fear God first in our lives and obey His guidance, we will reach the place of grace that God has prepared for us. I pray that all of us can live this life of faith so that our lives can be filled with the confession of Jehovah.