Yahweh Yireh ~ The LORD will provide.

I have always been fascinated by the account of Abraham taking Isaac  to the altar. Having children of my own, I try to visualize myself in this situation. I am sure Isaac must have known what was about to happen as they were going to the sacrificial altar without a sacrificial lamb. I believe he must have willingly laid on the altar. But, I most importantly believe that Abraham KNEW that the LORD was going to provide an alternative because the scriptures tell us in Genesis 22:5 "Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we'll come back to you." Did you catch that? "Come back to you."

Let's fast forward to when Isaac is laid upon the altar. Scripture says in Genesis 22:13-14: "Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. And Abraham named that place The LORD Will Provide,  so today it is said: "It will be provided on the LORD's mountain." (HCSB Version)

"When we put something on the altar, sacrificing it to him, we acknowledge two things: that he is God, and that we are not God." (pg 68-69).  This story can teach us that sacrifice requires a loss, but usually a reward of greater measure. We should never obey just to be blessed, but imagine the blessings we miss because we choose our own way and disobey the LORD.

Deuteronomy 15:4-5 says "There will be no poor among you, however, because the LORD is certain to bless you in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance -- if only you obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow every one of these commands I am giving you today." (HCSB Version)

"When you pray to Yahweh Yireh, you are praying to the God who sees the situation beforehand and is able to provide for your needs." (pg 62).