Genesis 22:14

Called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh, &c.— When Isaac asked his father, Where is the lamb? he answered (in the Hebrew) Elohim Jireh; to which this name alludes. The answer of Christ to the Jews in these words, Abraham rejoiced to see my day, no doubt, alludes to this verse. Jehovah-jireh signifies, as Houbigant and the best interpreters agree, the Lord shall be seen. But with what propriety could this name be given to it by Abraham, if, in this transaction, he had not seen the representation of our Lord's passion? and, if he did see it, how apposite was the name? The historian goes on, "as it is said, to this day, in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen;" or, more exactly to the Hebrew, for he said, in the mount of the Lord shall be seen. In the first part of the verse, the sacred historian tells us that Abraham called the mount Jehovah-jireh, the Lord shall be seen; and in the latter part he acquaints us with the manner how Abraham imposed that appellation, namely, by the use of a proverbial speech, implying the reason of the name. In a word, Jesus says, Abraham saw his day; and Abraham, by the name he imposed upon the mount, declares the same thing. But as the vision was of a public, not of a private nature, he expresses himself in terms which signify what all the faithful shall see, not what he himself had seen. The Lord shall be seen. And, in fact, the Lord was seen crucified upon this very mountain.

REFLECTIONS.—Never message greeted mortal ear more welcome, than that of the angel now. We have,

1. The speaker: the Angel of the Lord. That blessed Angel of the covenant, that only Son, whom God hath spared to bleed for us; he arrests the uplifted arm, and cries, Slay not thy son. Isaac unbound, with rapture as given from the dead, is clasped to the bosom of his father, twice welcome now, when thus restored. Note; (1.) When we give up every creature-comfort to God, then shall we most enjoy them. (2.) Man's extremity is God's opportunity.

2. The approbation of this glorious instance of obedience, Genesis 22:12. God knew it before: he testifies it now, for Abraham's comfort, and for his honour, to all succeeding ages.

3. Another sacrifice provided. When all is ready, the fire shall not burn in vain: a ram is in the thicket, and supplies the place of Isaac. Note; Praise is the fit return of mercy.

4. A name is given the place, in memory of the deed: Jehovah-jireh, the Lord shall be seen. Surely he is daily seen, compassionating his people's distresses, and providing a relief suitable to their wants. None ever trusted in him but found him in mercies abundant, in truth faithful, in promises unchangeable.
5. In the whole history we have a lively type of greater things. We have seen the day, when God spared not his own Son, when he was bound with cords, when he bore his cross, and on this mountain, probably on this very spot, was offered up an offering for sin; when he, triumphant over the grave, rose again to live for evermore, where the faithful seed of Abraham, whom no man can number, and whose possessions are the glories of heaven, shall see him and enjoy him to all eternity.
6. And now, my soul, meditate on these things. Art thou a son of Abraham? Is there in thine heart a darling sin? Is there a favourite lust precious in thine eye? Draw forth the knife, and smite it to the heart. Hath God spared not his Son for me, and shall I spare what he commands me to sacrifice? No, gracious Saviour; no. Help me to be faithful, unreserved, cheerful, willing in my surrender to thee, to keep back nothing from thee. Then prove me, and search the ground of my heart; and when thou hast tried me as silver is tried, crown the faith thou hast bestowed, and the obedience thou hast enabled me to yield to thee, with that unfading glory which thou hast promised to those who are faithful unto death.