Faith Friday: Jehovah Jireh

Nurturing Relationships for Proactive Blessings

Faith Friday: Today, let's dig into the meaning of Jehovah Jireh beyond "the Lord will Provide." In ministry school, I learned that Jehovah Jireh means so much more than “my provider”; it means your God who sees ahead of time and offers you the provision before the need arises. I've also learned that this provision comes to those who focus on the relationship aspect more than just mere provision.

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Sometimes, we approach G-d and our ancestors with a mindset of just asking for things, “Da Gimmes,” I call it. Still, if we delve deeper, many provisions are made for those willing to build connections with God, and the provision is just a side effect of this relationship building.

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Have you experienced a relationship where someone understands your needs before you speak? They know your wants before you say anything. They invest time in getting to know you well in advance. This closeness Is similar to how God and our Ancestors understand us inherently. Yet, many overlook nurturing these connections.

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Before turning to deities Orisha, Saints, or LWA for solutions, or before you have others doing work for you that you don't need to be done, it's vital to stop in and check with and honor our Ancestors, who are our first line of defense primary protectors and advisors. There wouldn't be any deities to petition if it weren't for the Ancestors.

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Your Ancestors should come first in seeking guidance for various aspects of life, be it relationships, health, or finances. Foundational relationships hold immense wisdom and insight that we often overlook for quick solutions, and Abraham's story on Mt. Mariah showed me that a trusting relationship is significant.

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Jehovah-Jireh embodies not just immediate provision but the foresight to meet future needs. It's about trusting in divine foresight and provisions ahead of time, like Abraham's story of sacrifice on Mt. Moriah. It's more than a dramatic illustration of faith; yes, I believe the theologians went with the dramatics in the interpretations to prove a point (because child sacrifice wasn't known to be practiced in Israel at that time). It's about willingness and obedience; continual future provision with wisdom comes through willingness and obedience.

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In my traditions of Low Country Hoodoo & Rootwork, there is an emphasis that lies on prevention, inviting blessings proactively in our future. But just like Abraham, we have to be willing to let go of some things that we love and give them and approach the altar with them with a willing heart, and they may not be spared like Issac was spared for Abraham. But we have to be willing to let go of them, and sometimes it's things we love like people, jobs, marriages, and friendships cause they are more of hindrances and make room for constant provision of blessings before they are needed.

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The True Meaning of YHWH-Jireh

Translations and commentaries often interpret the occurrence of Jehovah Jireh’s verb ראה (ra’a) as “providing.” However, it signifies more than that—it’s about “seeing to” something. In Hebrew, this verb doesn’t simply mean to provide. The name YHWH-jireh doesn’t just denote provision; it highlights a quality of man that is obedient, where God observes man’s obedience.

YHWH-jireh means Yah Sees—not in a passive sense, but actively, providing for man's obedience in advance. It’s a divine foresight that prepares and equips, acknowledging the steps we take in faith.

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May this month be a time to declutter your life, seek foresight, and open your heart to receive blessings and provision in advance. Call Jehovah Jireh and your Ancestors to guide you toward provision and wisdom ahead of anticipated needs and the courage to give up the things that are holding you back from receiving those provisions.

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