Adonai Yir'eh

The Lord who sees: Gen 22:14; Adonai sees all and knows our needs intimately

Adonai Yir'eh is the name that Abraham gave the LORD when a ram was provided as substitute for his son Isaac on the alter. This name carries with it a sense of the LORD as not only seeing the universal plan, but also knowing the details of the desires of our hearts on a very personal level.

As I was reading the various names of God, "Adonai Yir'eh" was spoken to my heart. It is as if the LORD said to me "this is who I Am, this is who I Have Been and who I will continue To Be" It is difficult for me to believe this reality. I know in my head the the LORD cares about the details, but it is difficult for me to trust and live in that promise.

As I look over the last few months I see the LORDS provision for me in incredible ways! For example, He has blessed me with a new house that is more than I asked for! There were certain things I was looking for in a house and He provided above and beyond what I expected! There is an amazing flower garden, a baby pergola and a little garden nook! I could continue the list, but suffice it to say that my spirit is incredibly blessed by these details.

This fall, as I walked in uncertainty about my future, I felt as if I was in the wilderness. Much as the Israelites were in the wilderness after their redemption from Egypt, I was in a wilderness of uncertainty and angst about the future. The first three months of their journey to the promised land was a time when they learned that the LORD was Adonai Yir'eh. He provided manna, water and victory over their enemies in miraculous ways. It was AFTER they had gone through these months of wilderness and needed to trust daily in the LORD for every aspect of their existence the he brought them to Mt Sinai. It was here that the LORD said "Now therefore if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly and holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites." Ex 19:6

I ask myself if the Israelites would have been ready for this promise if the LORD had said this right after the Red Sea crossing. I can only think not. They learned so many lessons in the wilderness that prepared them for this next step in their relationship with YHWH. A similar theme is seen when the psalmist says "it is good for me that I was humbled, so that I might learn your statues." (Ps 119:71). I have to agree. The time in the wilderness shows me I can not PLAN well enough nor DO well enough on my own. It is the loneliness and alone-ness that causes me to seek the LORD. As I am humbled and the LORD daily provides my needs, I am prepared for the next level of obedience and deeper dependence on Adonai Yir'eh.

I look forward to where the LORD will take me in these next few months and years. I am moving to a new town, starting a medical practice and have bought a new house! At times I am overwhelmed with the enormity of the change but am continually reminded that the LORD is Adonai Yir'eh-he will take care of all my needs down to the smallest detail!


Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, for keeping us alive, taking care of us and bringing us to this time. Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, who provides for me all of my needs. -May the blessings you have given me bring You Glory and Honor.