Jehovah-Jireh as The God Who Sees - Part 1
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Recently, I met someone who told me about a dream she had after graduating college, when she was in a very uncertain time in life. She said manna (representing provision) was falling from the sky, and God showed her through that dream that he was Jehovah-jireh. When she said this name, I said in my mind, "Oh yes, God provides!" But then she said Jehovah-jireh means God Provides or God Sees.
Wait. God sees? In all my time hearing that particular name of God, the emphasis had always seemed to be solely put on the provision on God. I had either not heard the "sees" part or had unknowingly skipped over it. But researching it later, she was exactly correct. If you read Genesis 22:14 in tandem with Strong's Concordance, it reads as follows, with the Strong's references in parentheses:
And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh (Lit. The LORD will Provide or See): as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen (provided).
1. Jehovah (Strong's H3068), meaning the Lord, who is self-existent or eternal
2. jireh (Strong's H7200), which is a verb that means to see literally or figuratively, according to Strong's, and in numerous applications. The Brown-Driver-Brigg's Lexicon lists many keys words in its definition, including "to see, perceive, have vision, look at, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out, consider, give attention to, discern ...".
As I pondered all of this, I realized how deeply it touched me, and I immediately remembered a time when I specifically was reminded that God sees me.
It was at a time I was needing to hear God, and I felt pretty desperate for direction. Through events that seemed random, but turned out not to be at all, God led my husband and me to a church one particular morning, where we received a prophetic word that lasted about 20 minutes. It stopped the service, and for those 20 minutes, time stood still.
It's important to make the point here that what the Lord had to say to us wasn't anything closely related to what we had expected that morning! It was 5 minutes before the prophetic word came when my husband gasped out loud at something the Holy Spirit had spoken to his heart. After he told me what it was, the prophetic word came publicly by another person, which was the same thing God had spoken to my husband. So we knew for sure that God was speaking, as he brought a witness to confirm what he had already said.
I remember leaving that place in sheer awe. We had driven a fairly long way to be there and had made arrangements for our kids, and I was ecstatic and relieved God had met us in a very clear and tangible way, yet still bewildered about our situation ... that very clearly lay before us, pressing for a literal and immediate answer. BUT - I knew God had seen us in that little church 45 minutes from home, desperate for rest. And he also saw to it that we received what we needed, even though it was different that what I thought we needed. To hear God speak anything clearly is to receive treasure. He had provided that treasure, and I knew to trust that as we followed through with what he had spoken that morning, our other situation was already being taken care of. He knew the future would be okay regarding the thing I was praying over. He also knew, way more than I did at that point, that I was short-sighted on so many things I really and truly needed, most of them non-tangible. In the immediate moment, though, he saw I needed hope. And kind of ironically, I found that hope in the knowledge just that he saw me and met me. I had many tears this day.
I can only imagine this is how Abraham felt the day he took Isaac up the mountain. Those of us who know the story have most likely at some point put ourselves in his shoes to feel the emotions and questions that must have played out during that time. And then we have probably switched over to putting ourselves in Isaac's shoes as well. It is no wonder Abraham called Mt. Moriah "Jehovah-jireh," as he very likely sighed a big sigh, hung his head and wept with relief and thankfulness and joy when the ram appeared. I feel I can't truly imagine that moment for any parent, much less a person who had, against all hope, waited and believed for the fulfillment of a promise of a child, long past child-bearing age. There was purpose in what God did in that story on so many levels - which deserves a separate post - but regardless, Abraham was still a man that needed to know he was seen. As was Isaac. These were real people, not just "felt storyboard characters" some of us saw growing up in church. God cares about us. Purpose is important, but so is our experience in life. To some, purpose is so important that experiencing life as a human BEING with others, and even God, gets pushed to the side. For others, people are so important, they sacrifice purpose. We are encouraged to keep it balanced, as this story is a beautiful illustration of how God views both. He sees us...and His purposes in our lives.
He saw Abraham - his faith, obedience, and agonizing emotions. And he provided the ram, a way out. It's really important to know that as he sees, he is already providing what we need. He definitely provides for whatever it is he is calling us to do, whether that seems little or big to you, but he also provides for us because we're his. He loves us. He's a good father. He meets our needs and, because he loves to see us smile, he "throws in" desires as well. More on that in another post.
**Sidenote that I want to throw in here: For the record, whatever you're called to do, no matter how little it may seem, if you're doing it in faith, it's all big. Modeling for him on your job, staying home with your kids to teach and raise them, taking care of a parent that is aging, trusting through a very difficult situation, stepping away from the world and old habits, praying for someone, working a garden for the survival of your family, believing what he says about you, letting go of a not-good-for-you friendship, being vulnerable to a second marriage God is asking you to branch out toward when you were desperately hurt before, or believing you will make it through a super tough bought of depression because God says his plans are good for you, scheduling a counseling session, admitting you need help to a friend, being a friend, giving money to someone without expecting it back.....any of these require faith, along with a million other scenarios. Just want to encourage us all in this.
Making our topic personal, God provides for me because he first sees me. Of the 7.8 billion people on this planet, God SEES ME. I'd like to point out that God's "seeing" is not just a hurried glance, where he's running out the door saying, "Hey, I left you some lunch/grocery/rent/car, etc., money on the counter." The words in the definition above suggest a "little huge" thing we like to call - but sometimes have a hard time giving ourselves to - intimacy. Words such as: consider, give attention to, discern, find out, observe, learn about, and watch...these words tells us that someone is "leaning into" us and our situations in life. They are leaning in to study us and find out what's up and where we are in our thoughts and emotions. It implies they take the time to do so. They are actually interested in us and everything that concerns and "touches" us. And from that place of knowing us, they know how to take care of us, and do just that.
God sees us. He has our number. He knows our address, even if we live under a bridge. And it's easy for those of us who know God to say yes, yes, of course he sees us. Of course he does. He said he'd never leave nor forsake us. But yet, there are those times right? We are going through something, and it's harder than we ever imagined. The enemy of our soul is whispering doubts, and we've gotten insecure. Or we're just TIRED. We are tempted to give up, but know we need to double down.
I want to encourage you now that, just like when I was at my crossroads, and just like when Abraham was at his, God sees you too at yours. He knows where you are. He knows. You're not alone, even though it may feel like you are. Remember to choose the truth of the living word and tell false and vain imaginations - negative reports, images that come to mind that aren't of God, word of man, toxic emotions, etc. - to leave. Cast them down by refusing them and replacing them with God's word. If you need peace, ask. If you need to know God sees, ask him to remind you. The Holy Spirit is your helper, and you are never alone. And rest assured, Jehovah-jireh WILL SEE TO IT!
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