Discussion Guide for Sunday, March 29, 2020

JEHOVAH JIREH:

THE LORD WILL PROVIDE

Series: Knowing God by Name: The Power of God’s Names

Big Idea

This week, Pastor Mickles introduced us to several names of God while discussing Abraham’s final test of faith. Abraham has been walking with God, now, for over half a century, and he’s learned a lot about God through His names. He has met El Elyon – the God Most High, El Shaddai, the God Almighty, and in Genesis 21, he met El Olam, the Everlasting God. Hagar has even met El Roi, the God who sees. And now God wants to introduce Abraham to Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide.

To introduce him to this name of God, Abraham’s faith was put to the test. It was almost as if God asked him, “If you could trust Me with your past, why won’t you trust Me with your future?” Abraham took Isaac, the son of promise, up Mt. Moriah to offer him to God as a burnt offering. However God showed up at the place of sacrifice to let Abraham know that He’d been at work in his past. God had already arranged for a ram to be caught in the thicket for Abraham’s sacrifice. God also let Abraham know that He was at work in his present by commending Abraham for his obedience, and that He was at work in his future by reminding Abraham of the many promises that were his because of his covenant relationship with God.

This entire narrative is a preview of coming attractions. Abraham was to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, the sacrifice for sin, on Mt. Moriah. Mt. Moriah would eventually become the site for Jerusalem. It is there that God would offer His Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for sin upon the cross of Calvary. For Abraham, God provided a ram, but for you and I, He provided Jesus, the Lamb of God slain for our sins.

Discussion Questions

• Have you God ever asked you for something that you loved? Did you struggle with surrendering it to Him? Did you give it to Him in the end? Why? Why not?
• Can you remember a time when walking by faith required extreme obedience? What did it cost? Was there a reward on the other side of your obedience? Did the reward make it worth it.

Prayer Focus

Lord, thank You for all that You provide for me. Thank you for all your blessings – for looking beyond my faults, seeing my needs, forgiving me, showing me brand new mercies, being faithful to Your Word, leading and guiding me each and every day.

Next Steps

God is always providing for us, often in ways we don’t even realize. This week, make a conscious effort to acknowledge His daily provision, and intentionally live in gratitude.

Want to Get Ahead?

Read and meditate on Exodus 17:8-16 in your devotional time this week.