# Jehovah-Jireh—The Lord Will Provide explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This chapter, based on Genesis 22:14, reassures believers that God will provide in times of need, even when deliverance seems impossible. Drawing on examples from Abraham, David, and Jonah, it emphasizes trusting in God's timing and faithfulness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Divine Providence and Guidance

The chapter highlights God's provision in critical moments, as seen in the ram for Abraham, the diversion for David, and the fish for Jonah.

### Faith and Trust in Christ

Believers are encouraged to trust in the Lord's aid, even when it seems delayed, and to wait for His seasonable help.

## Character check-ins

### Abraham

Abraham's faith is tested as he raises the knife, but God provides a ram as a substitute.

### David

David, seemingly destined to fall to Saul, is saved when Saul is diverted by an invading force.

### Jonah

Jonah, sinking in the sea, is rescued by a fish prepared by God.

### God

God is the provider who intervenes in each situation, demonstrating His power and grace.

## Key lines

> This Abra’m found: he raised the knife, God saw, and said, “Forbear! Yon ram shall yield his meaner life⁠— Behold the victim there.”

Abraham experienced this: as he lifted the knife, God intervened and told him to stop, pointing to a ram that would be sacrificed instead.

_This paraphrases the moment when God provided a substitute sacrifice for Isaac._

> Once David seem’d Saul’s certain prey; But hark! the foe’s at hand; Saul turns his arms another way, To save th’ invaded land.

David once appeared to be Saul's guaranteed victim, but suddenly an enemy attacked, and Saul redirected his forces to defend the land.

_This refers to the incident where Saul ceased pursuing David to face the Philistine threat._

> When Jonah sunk beneath the wave He thought to rise no more; But God prepared a fish to save And bear him to the shore.

When Jonah sank into the sea, he believed he would never surface again, but God had prepared a fish to rescue him and carry him to land.

_This summarizes Jonah's deliverance from drowning by the great fish._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/6-jehovah-jireh-the-lord-will-provide
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters