Category Archives: Love of God

Who Is Your Shepherd?

Posted on by under Article, Love of God

In life, we often find ourselves playing the game of “Follow the Leader.” When the leader is trustworthy and wise, this can be a comfort. However, if the leader is unreliable, following can quickly become a problem. Thankfully, as Christians, we have a perfect leader to follow—Jesus, our Good Shepherd. The Bible reminds us in Isaiah 53:6 that we all, like sheep, go astray. We are prone to wander and make mistakes without guidance. Psalm 23, perhaps the most beloved Psalm, is often read during times of loss, but its message is rich for everyday life. It reveals who our Shepherd is and describes three incredible blessings He offers His sheep.

I. The Good Shepherd Provides

Psalm 23:1-3 assures us, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” This means we will lack nothing essential. Jesus provides for our physical and spiritual needs, as echoed in Matthew 6:25-26, where He teaches not to worry because God cares for us.

  • Rest and Nourishment: The Shepherd leads His sheep to green pastures—places of abundance, not scarcity. He ensures we are well fed and have time to rest and be renewed.
  • Peace and Comfort: He leads us beside still waters. Sheep are afraid of rushing water, so the Shepherd provides calm, safe places for us to drink and be refreshed. With Him, we find peace and comfort.
  • Spiritual Wholeness: God supplies all we need to be spiritually complete (2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:4; 2 Peter 1:3). He restores our souls, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father through Jesus’ sacrifice.
  • Right Paths: The Good Shepherd leads us in paths of righteousness, guiding us in the right way, unlike bad shepherds who mislead their flocks (Ezekiel 34:1-6; John 10:1-2, 7-9). We cannot live unrighteously and expect to be on the right path.

II. The Good Shepherd Protects

Psalm 23:4-5 describes how the Shepherd’s presence removes our fear, even in the darkest valleys. The “valley of the shadow of death” is a place we would not choose to walk alone, but with the Shepherd, we have nothing to fear.

  • Comfort and Security: The Shepherd’s rod and staff are tools of protection, defending the sheep from danger (1 Samuel 17:34-36). God promises spiritual security, but we must stay close to Him.
  • Guidance and Leadership: In John 10:3-5, Jesus explains that the sheep recognize and follow the Shepherd’s voice, not the voice of a stranger. The sheepfold is a place of safety, and Jesus is the only true door to salvation and spiritual nourishment.
  • Knowing the Shepherd’s Voice: We must learn to discern the voice of Jesus through His word, so we are not misled by false teachings. The Good Shepherd does not promise an easy life, but He promises to lead and protect.
  • Ultimate Sacrifice: The Good Shepherd goes so far as to lay down His life for the sheep (John 10:11-15).

III. The Good Shepherd Preserves

Psalm 23:5-6 illustrates how the Shepherd preserves and blesses His sheep. He anoints their heads with oil to protect them from pests and disease, ensuring their health and well-being. This act is also a symbol of honor and care.

  • Abundant Blessings: The Psalmist says, “My cup runs over” (2 Corinthians 9:8-10). God not only meets our needs but provides in abundance.
  • Goodness and Mercy: By following Jesus, we experience God’s goodness. Without obedience, we face His severity (Romans 11:22). For those who obey, mercy triumphs over judgment, and salvation is our reward (John 10:14-15).
  • Eternal Security: The promise to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever” points to our eternal reward in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Conclusion

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, provides, protects, and preserves His sheep. Yet, these blessings are not automatic. We must be attentive sheep—listening for His voice, discerning His word, and following Him closely. If we don’t listen, we miss out on His blessings. If we hear but don’t recognize or obey, we risk going astray, just as the demons recognize Jesus but do not submit to Him.

The Good Shepherd offers all we need for a spiritually full and abundant life. The question is: Who is your shepherd today? Are you following the Good Shepherd, or have you wandered away? The invitation is open—choose to follow Jesus and experience the blessings and security only He can provide.

If The Foundations Be Destroyed

Posted on by under Article, Christian Living, Love of God

In times of crisis, we often face the dilemma of whether to fight or flee. The fight or flight response is a natural reaction that occurs when we are faced with a threat. As a child growing up in a tough neighborhood, the decision to fight or flee might depend on the number of antagonists. In Psalm 11 David’s trust in the Lord is highlighted. The Lord will protect His own, regardless of what is happening in the world. Even if society breaks down, the righteous must remain upright and rely on the Lord. It’s easy to run, but sometimes God needs us to take a stand.

Flee as a Bird

Presented as the only choice, Psalm 11:1-3 discusses the idea of fleeing when the foundations are destroyed. David, who had great faith in God, was advised to run during times of danger. There were instances in David’s life when he had to flee, such as when Saul wanted to kill him, and he ran to Nob, the wilderness, the stronghold, Moab, and Philistia. Similarly, when Absalom tried to take the throne, David was advised to flee as a bird to the mountains. Birds don’t stand and fight when threatened; they flee and fly away, making it difficult to track them in the mountain forests.

This advice might have been insincere and not in David’s best interest, similar to the advice given in Luke 13:31-32. The wicked bend their bow, and the imagery of an assassin waiting in the dark to shoot is used in Psalm 11:2. Psalms are poetic and often use figurative language, with arrows and shooting referring to the tongue and harsh words, as seen in Psalm 64:3-4. David is told to flee, but he hears the wicked wagging their tongues against the upright.

How does it make us feel when others speak against God or His holy word? Do we want to run away? Are we afraid of them? If the foundations are destroyed, will we tell the truth even if it is labeled as hate speech by society? David is told that the righteous can do nothing but flee in such situations. This psalm might not refer to a specific instance in David’s life, but it brings to mind the Philistines and Goliath in Samuel 17. David was sent to take supplies to his brothers, who had been arrayed in battle against the Philistines for 40 days. He was told to flee back home, as the battlefield was no place for a young shepherd boy. However, David heard Goliath wagging his tongue against the armies of Israel, speaking against God. David saw this as a test, and he had faith in the God who had always delivered him.

Stand and Fight

David could fight because the foundation of God is sure and steadfast. Rather than fleeing to the mountains, David put his trust in the Lord, as seen in Psalm 11:4-7. The Lord is in His holy temple, not on earth, as the temple had not been built yet. His throne is in heaven, and He sees everything, knowing if we are men or mice. God makes a careful examination of us during our lifetime. He wants to see if we will trust in Him. We should count it all joy when tested, as the Lord tested Abraham, Moses, and Israel. David’s battle with Goliath was a test, and while Saul and the rest of the army failed, David had faith in God.

God hates the wicked and those who love violence. David didn’t rush into battle because he loved violence, but to defend the glory of the Lord. The wicked will be punished, as seen in Psalm 11:6, and will not stand in the day of Judgment. The Lord is righteous and just, loving what is right and executing judgment. He looks with favor upon the upright, and the foundations of the Lord are strong and everlasting. We should desire to see His face and do what is right to receive His favor.

We must decide whether to fight or flee when the moment comes. We are not told to flee from the devil but to resist him, and he will flee from us. God has not given us a spirit of timidity but wants us to put on the armor of God and stand, placing our trust in Him like David did. Even if the world collapses, the foundation of God is solid and reliable. The Lord examines us and wants to see us doing what is right, passing the test, and receiving His favor. The final exam is coming, and we must be prepared to stand and fight, relying on the strength of the Lord.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Posted on by under Article, Love of God

People sometimes fear the dark, especially kids. This fear can make it hard to get them to bed. They might need a night light, or a parent to check the closet, or under the bed. Similarly, David had a dark chapter in his kingship when his throne was being usurped by Absalom, his son (2 Sam. 15:13-14). David had to flee from Jerusalem, and he might have wondered if this was punishment for his sin with Bathsheba. He was told that because of his sin the sword would not depart from his house (2 Sam. 12:10-11). David was in despair, questioning if the Lord had departed from him, but he continued to show resolve. He sent the ark back into Jerusalem, saying that if God was happy with him, he would return (2 Sam. 15:26). Even though we might have dark times, God still rules, and there is peace in God. With God, we can pillow our heads and sleep.

Surpassed by Enemies

David had become outnumbered and surpassed by his enemies (Psalm 3:1-2). Absalom had worked on the people and stole their hearts, even getting one of David’s trusted allies to join him (2 Sam. 15:12). David’s enemies increased, and they rose up against him, declaring Absalom to be king. It may have looked to both these enemies and David that God was not going to help him (Psalm 71:10-11). In 2 Sam. 16:5-8, a man from Saul’s kin, Shimei, mocked David, saying that God was punishing him for seizing the throne from Saul. David did not seize the kingdom from Saul; God made David king once Saul was dead. One of David’s nephews wanted to take Shimei’s head off, but David was in distress and had enough (2 Sam. 16:10-12). It may have looked like this was part of his punishment, but that was not the case. We can feel in despair when the world and worldly people keep increasing, and it might look like a dark hour for us. We need to remember who is in charge.

Protected by God

Things may have looked bleak, but David realized that God was still with him (Psalm 3:3-4). He had God’s protection, as if a shield was around him (Psalm 5:12, Psalm 28:7). The Lord was David’s glory, and David correctly ascertained that it was not all about himself.  He wanted to glorify the Lord. He knew that if he glorified the Lord, the Lord would glorify him and lift up his head (2 Sam. 15:30). David’s head would indeed be lifted up again, meaning that Absalom would not be victorious. David was still God’s king, and God heard him from His holy hill (Psalm 2:6). God had made David king, not Absalom. When things look bleak for us, we should remember who is ruling in heaven. He is the one who will save us and lift our heads.

Peace of Mind

David was on the run, but he could lay down and sleep, confident that the Lord had heard him (Psalm 3:5-6). He had peace of mind that allowed him to pillow his head at night and sleep, knowing that God had his back. Even if not physically, if he should die before he wakes, he knew that the Lord sustained him and kept him safe. The Lord lifted his head in the morning and gave him life. We should not say we are going to go here or there, make a year happen, and make a profit. Instead, if the Lord wills, we will live. The Lord allowed us to wake up this morning, and we should not be afraid even if surrounded. We can have peace of mind even if we are surrounded in this world, knowing that the Lord is with us if we are doing His will. If we are in a good relationship with God, we don’t need to worry and can lay down and go to sleep. If we are not right with God, we might have a hard time resting, and it is something that would need to be rectified..

Salvation in the Lord

David called on the Lord to arise and take care of business (Psalm 3:7-8). The battle belongs to the Lord, and He is not going to allow someone to overthrow His king. David trusted in the Lord to save him, as no one else could. God had struck David’s enemies in the past, and thus David could have faith and trust in the Lord. David’s foes had become “toothless” and powerless since salvation belongs to the Lord. He is the only option (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). We must be humble and glorify Him, and He will lift us up. There is no victory worth having that is not rooted in the Lord. The Lord is a blessing not just to David and Israel, but to all His people, including us. The Lord blesses us so we can be a blessing to others.

David was on the run and surrounded, but even so, he could pillow his head and sleep, having peace from the Lord. We can lay down and sleep knowing we belong to the Lord and have peace of mind, even if outnumbered in the world or scared of the dark. None of that matters if we are on the Lord’s side. David was on the Lord’s side, and God sustained him and lifted his head. God can take care of us and lift our heads too. If we are not on His side, we might have trouble sleeping, as our conscience may be bothering us. Soon we will go home and lay down to sleep. What kind of sleep do you want? Will your soul be safe in the arms of Jesus? If not, fix that.

Boldly Approaching God’s Throne

Posted on by under Christian Living, Love of God

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).

            Oftentimes we may look at prayer as a commanded ritual or a timid request before a distant God.  While we must be humble before God, the Hebrews writer paints a different picture with regards to our prayer life.  God wants us to draw near to Him with confidence.  He wants us to come boldly before His throne to receive grace and mercy.  Our confidence in so doing doesn’t come from ourselves or what we have merited by our own actions.  It is only because of the work of Jesus upon the cross that we have this access through our High Priest (Hebrews 10:19-22).

            Jesus is a High Priest who understands us.  He came down from heaven and dwelt among us (John 1:14).  While He had no faults or sins of His own, He has been tempted in all ways like we have.  There is no temptation that we face that Jesus has not overcome Himself.  When we speak to the Father through Jesus, we have a mediator who can empathize with our struggles.

            Prayer for us should never be a burden.  It is a magnificent lifeline direct to the throne of God.  Men living before the cross of Jesus did not have this kind of access to God.        However, since Jesus shed His blood for us, and since we can make contact with that blood through baptism (being buried with Him – Romans 6:3-4), we can now approach the throne of God 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

            We don’t have to come with timidity, like the human high priests did once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).  We can draw near to God with confidence, knowing that we are His beloved children, and that He longs to hear from us.

Do This in Remembrance of Me

Posted on by under Love of God

grapes     Recent research has suggested that the consumption of grape juice is an aid in either avoiding Alzheimer’s, or that it can slow the process of memory loss in those with the brain disease. Alzheimer’s is thought to be brought on by stress and free radicals in a person’s physiology. Since antioxidants combat free radicals, and since grape juice is rich in antioxidants, the thought is that grape juice can help combat one of the causes of the disease (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3544087).

     Is it not interesting to think that grape juice can aid memory? Just before He was arrested, tried, and convicted to die via crucifixion, Jesus gathered with His disciples in an upper room in order to partake of the Passover. At this last supper of the Lord, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. They took the cup containing the fruit of the vine (grape juice) and divided it amongst themselves. Then Jesus explained to them how the unleavened bread represented His body, which would be given for them and us. That cup with the fruit of the vine represented His blood, which would be shed for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 22:17-20). During that discourse, Jesus instructed them to “do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19b, NKJV).

     Every week, on the first day of the week, Christians around the world gather together to remember the sacrifice of Christ (Acts 20:7). One of the emblems that is used in this remembrance is the fruit of the vine/grape juice, which researchers now believe is an aid to memory! Of all the things that we have to remember, from time with our friends as children, to time spent with loved ones as we grow old, what can we remember that could ever be more important than what God did for us by sending Christ to die in our place? God, who knows all things, chose to use unleavened bread and grape juice as the symbols to remember Jesus death. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). So the next time you enjoy a glass of grape juice, remember what Jesus did for you.

The Apple of God’s Eye

Posted on by under Christian Living, Love of God

Apple of His Eye     There is an old Stevie Wonder song where he sings about someone being the apple of his eye. The descriptive “apple of his eye” is used to denote that person who is most precious to him. The one that he cannot do without. We might consider how we look at God, and whether He is the apple of our eye, but instead let us consider who or what is the apple of God’s eye.

     In the book of Zechariah, God was encouraging His people, who had returned from exile and were in the process of rebuilding the temple. As they were building, they were concerned with the lack of walls around the city for protection. To ease their minds, God instructed them through the prophet, “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.  For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me’” (Zechariah 2:8-9 NKJV). God was basically telling them that He would protect them from their enemies, for they are the apple of His eye. This means that God’s people are precious in His sight.

     Over 600 years later, God would also give comfort to His people who were suffering under the persecution of the Roman Empire. At that time John wrote the book of Revelation to the church in order to encourage them to hang in there in the face of persecution and death. God was going to deal with the Roman Empire, because when they went after His people, the apple of His eye, they were basically going after Him.

     We as God’s people are still precious to Him today. It is you and me as Christians, the members of His church, who are special in His sight. We are the apple of His eye. Thinking about this and thinking about how He has cared for His people and continues to care for His people should give us pause in how we deal with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Are we treating our Christian family as the apple of God’s eye? In light of the fact that God is greatly displeased when any of His children are mistreated, we should all consider how we are treating one another and realize that all of His children are precious in His sight.

Why Was God Pleased to Injure Christ?

Posted on by under Love of God

nails     During this time of the year when many people are thinking about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, many might read from Isaiah 53, which predicts the Christ’s ordeal on the cross. Have you ever read that account, however, and wondered about just what it says? In verse 4 we read that Christ was, “Smitten by God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4, NKJV). Later it declares, “And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). “He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken” (Isaiah 53:8). On and on we read within Isaiah’s prophecy about how Jesus was going to be mistreated by mankind. But then we read the statement, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief” (Isaiah 53:10, emphasis added). Just how could this bloody sacrifice of His one and only unique Son be pleasing to God?

     There are many events recorded in the Bible, with which God was not pleased. He was not pleased with the idolatry of the Israelites. Whether at the base of Mount Sinai during their exodus from Egypt, in the high places during the time of the divided kingdom, or in the temple during the reign of Manasseh, God was not pleased with idolatry. There were times when the Israelites did not offer their best in sacrifice to God, but instead brought the lame and sick as a sacrifice (Malachi 1:8; 3:8-9). In this God was not pleased, because their heart was not in what they were doing, and they were not showing God the proper respect. “Therefore, when He [Jesus] came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure’” (Hebrews 10:5-6). Here Jesus is saying to the Father that the Father did not desire or have pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices.

     So what are we to make of this? God did not have pleasure or desire for burnt offerings and sacrifices, which He commanded, but it pleased the Lord to bruise Christ. Even though God commanded the children of Israel to make burnt offerings and sacrifices, He did not take pleasure in them. Their sacrifices represented failure on their part to keep His law. They were required because of the sins of the people. They were necessary because mankind will always fall short. God takes no pleasure in man’s sin. This is why God through the prophet Samuel says, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). God would rather that man obey Him than to make the best animal sacrifice he could offer. God also did not have pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices because they could not get the job done. Just before stating that God has no desire for nor pleasure in those offerings, the Hebrew account tells us plainly, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). Those animal sacrifices could not take sin away and could not make those who offered them perfect with regards to the conscience (Hebrews 9:9; 10:1-3). There was still a remembrance of those sins, and so year after year the High Priest would enter the Most Holy Place with the blood of the sacrifice (Hebrews 9:7). God was not pleased because the reconciliation between God and man was not complete.

     By contrast then, God was pleased with the sacrifice of Christ. Because of what Jesus did for mankind by dying on the cross as our perfect offering, there is a cleansing of the conscience and the sins of man are remembered no more (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:12). The sacrifice of Jesus was perfect and complete. There no longer remains a need for another sacrifice, because Jesus offered Himself for us once for all (Hebrews 9:11-15). Because of the redemptive work of Christ, man and God are reconciled to one another (Ephesians 2:16). In this the Lord is pleased. This is how God can say that He was pleased to bruise Jesus for our transgressions. It is not that He was pleased by Christ having to endure the cross and the pain and the shame. But God was pleased in the result in that mankind has a path back to the Father. Will you follow God’s Path to Salvation? Will you take the only way that we can go to find eternal life (John 14:6)? God has done His part by offering His one and only unique Son for our behalf (John 3:16). In this He was pleased. Will you do your part to accept His sacrifice and apply the blood to cover your sins through simple obedience to the Gospel? If you want to be pleasing to God, you will.

Why Did He Do That?

Posted on by under Christian Living, Love of God

Set-Free     Have you ever wondered just why Jesus came to earth, especially at this time of the year when the world is thinking about Him? Consider for a moment what Jesus already knew before He ever left heaven. He knew that men would seek to kill Him as a toddler (Mat. 2:16). He knew that He would not be received by His own people (John 1:10-11). He knew that He would be rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3-5). He knew that He would be put to death on the cross, not for any wrong that He had done, but for the sins of mankind (Isaiah 53:9; 2 Pet. 2:22-25). And, yet, He came anyway. Why?

     Jesus left the beauties of heaven to come to earth below for one main reason. He came because He loves us all. A very popular scripture tells us that God loved us so much that He gave us His one and only unique Son, so that we might believe in Him, obey Him, and have everlasting life (John 3:16)! Because He loves us, He wants for all of mankind to be saved. The Lord is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9b, NKJV). While we were yet sinners and undesirable, He came and died for us (Romans 5:8).

     Thereto is another part of the reason that Jesus came to earth. We are sinners. As human beings no matter how hard we try, we are not able to be perfect in obedience to God’s word. In Romans 3:23 we read, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Farther along we read, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). Our sins bring us death, because they separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Since we all have sinned and separated ourselves from God, and since the just payment of our sins is death, Jesus came to take that penalty away and to reconcile us to back to God. Jesus came so that we might live.

     All Jesus asks for in return is that we believe in Him and obey Him. That is all He wants in return for His great sacrifice. If we claim to love Him, this we will do. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

A Tale of Two Substitutes

Posted on by under Culture, Love of God

tale-of-two-cities     In Charles Dickens’ novel, A Tale of Two Cities, there comes a point where one of the main characters, Charles Darnay, is arrested by the mob during the French Revolution and is sentenced to death. Because of the love that he has for Charles’ wife, Lucie, another character, Sydney Carton, takes Darnay’s place at the guillotine instead. As Carton goes to his death, he utters the most famous line of the novel, “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”

     Just as Sydney Carton substituted himself for Charles Darnay for the sake of love, there is One who has sacrificed Himself for you, because of the love that He has for you. One of the most famous and well known scriptures in the Bible is found in John 3:16, which states, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (HCSB). Even though we were undesirable, ungodly, weak, and enemies of God at the time, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, NKJV). Mankind had separated themselves from God through the tragedy of sin (Isaiah 59:1-2), but because Jesus came and died in our stead, we can now have that hope of eternal life in heaven.

     Because we commit sin, we have the sentence of death in ourselves (Romans 3:23; 6:23). We can do nothing of ourselves to remedy this situation, for we are unable to pay the price. It takes the sacrifice of a sinless life in order for us to be justified before God. What we could not provide for ourselves, God has provided in His Son, Jesus Christ. A greater love than this cannot be found! “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus substituted His sinless life, to die on the cross, to save us from our own spiritual death. Let us obey what He says to do, in His Holy Bible, so that we can apply the blood He shed and wash away our sins (Acts 22:16; Revelation 1:5).

Yaweh-jireh – The Lord will Provide

Posted on by under Love of God

     There are eight various names or descriptions that are used to characterize God within the book of Genesis. One such name is Yaweh-jireh, which translated means God will provide. This name for God is found only once in Genesis 22:14.

     Abraham gives this name to God and to the location where he was to offer his only begotten son Isaac in Genesis 22. eightThis is significant in that it shows the attitude of Abraham that he had faith in God, and he believed that God would provide for him that which is necessary. The name Yaweh-jireh ties in with the thought expressed earlier in the chapter when Isaac inquires of his father about the lamb for the sacrifice (Genesis 22:8). Abraham’s answer to Isaac is “well-nigh prophetic” in answering him that they would be provided for by God Himself. This comes to fruition when Abraham is halted from his sacrifice of Isaac and a ram is provided by God for their sacrifice. Thus in the name Yaweh-jireh we find that the Lord has provided or seen to the needs of Abraham and Isaac.

     Additionally, there are other implications that can be drawn from the use of the name Yaweh-jireh at this particular location geographically. Here Abraham is calling this place upon the mountain where he purposed to offer Isaac, the mountain where the Lord provides, and in this mount of the Lord it shall be seen or provided (Genesis 22:14). It is speculated that this may be the mountain that would later be the location of the Temple, where God would be worshipped, and where Jesus would later appear in person.   This may also be the mountain upon which Jesus would later be offered as a sacrifice, which has many parallels to the intended offering of Isaac. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Genesis, says that it, “appears that the sacrifice offered by Abraham was understood to be a representative one, and . . . that Jehovah should be seen in a sacrificial way on this mount.” In this sense the Lord certainly did provide for man in this mountain. We all should be thankful for Jesus’ willingness to be that sacrifice for each of us!