You know the story of God telling Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, the one that God himself had promised Abraham would lead to his descendants being as numerous as the sands. He chose to obey and made the journey to Mt. Moriah. Even after Isaac questioned him about where the sacrificial animal was, Abraham somehow found the will to follow through with God’s heart-wrenching demand, to the point of nearly killing his son.

Surely Isaac had a say in this matter. I wonder if he argued with his father about this, or cried, or begged for his life. In those days, the children were taught to be obedient, so perhaps he was willing to trust his dad and didn’t argue, but instead let his father do what he said the Lord commanded him to do. That would have been the most incredibly difficult act of submission for both of them to do.

The great news for both father and son was that God didn’t plan on this sacrifice of Isaac happening, but had wanted a willingness on Abraham’s part to trust and obey. Since he did just that, the Lord provided a sacrificial ram in lieu of Isaac his son.

Just put yourself in that moment on Mt. Moriah – you’ve been asked to kill your most precious gift that you waited for for 25 years! I cannot fathom the depth of sadness Abraham felt climbing that impossible mountain, nor the height of joy following the words of “STOP” by the angel and then the appearance of the ram!
Abraham’s faith and act of submission to God is one to be greatly respected and repeated.

JEHOVAH JIREH (The Lord will provide)
His gracious provision of a ram as a substitute for Abraham’s son Isaac.

For Christians, this Easter season is the most celebrated because of what it represents. Jesus willingly walked to Jerusalem and had a final meal with his disciples. He then willingly allowed himself to be subject to torture which was followed by his gruesome crucifixion and death. Three days later, (drum roll)… our Lord and Savior fulfilled the prophecies in the Old Testament by conquering death and rising from the dead! Hallelujah!!

JEHOVAH JIREH (The Lord will provide)
His gracious provision of a lamb (His own son) as a substitute for us.

It is no mere coincidence that Jesus Christ was crucified at Passover. He was and is the first-born, without blemish (sin), final blood sacrifice for all mankind!

Do you see the parallel as well as the foreshadowing with Abraham vs. God, and with Isaac vs. Jesus?

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3:16-17

“Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
Hebrews 2:17

“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”Isaiah 45:22

Food for thought: The term Jehovah Jireh was what Abraham named the area of Mt. Moriah where he nearly sacrificed Isaac, his promised son. Jehovah means “The Lord”, and Jireh means “will provide”.

Fun facts: Lyrics for “Jehovah Jireh“

Jehovah Jireh
My provider
His grace is sufficient
For me, for me, for me

Jehovah Jireh
My provider
His grace is sufficient
For me

My God shall supply all my needs
According to His riches in glory
He will give His angels
Charge over me

Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me.

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – Together by the fire