And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD–Will-Provide;
as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.
Genesis 22:14
Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. When God told him to go to the land of Moriah to sacrifice his son, Isaac, Abraham said, “Yes, sir” and got ready for the three day journey. Arriving at the bottom of the opposite hill, the old man unloaded the donkeys and left them with the servants. As Isaac was carrying up the equipment, he became curious. He turned to his dad and asked, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham’s answer was, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:7,8).
When they got to the top, the Angel of the LORD had to stop Abraham from obeying God. When Abraham looked up from the altar, he saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. God had indeed provided the substitute offering.
At that point, Abraham names the place The-LORD–Will-Provide. This name in the Old King James Version is “Jehovah Jirah” and the God’s Word Translation calls it “Yahweh Yirah.” It’s easy to tell in these versions that it is a name of God.
Both Jews and Muslims acknowledge that Mount Moriah is the site of the temple mount. Originally, Solomon’s temple was there, and after it was destroyed, the second temple was built. Again, it was burnt down, and this time the Dome of the Rock Mosque was constructed. This piece of real estate is considered holy by Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
It’s interesting that, according to the Bible, Abraham was sent to the land of Moriah, where God would show him the exact place to offer his sacrifice. Old-time gospel preachers routinely proclaimed that the place was actually Mount Calvary, which lies only a quarter mile from Mount Moriah.
Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He is also the Angel of the LORD who provided the ram for Abraham. Most of all, He is Yahweh Yirah, The-LORD–Will-Provide.
June 9
