Barnabas Piper

Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, and Job comprise the wisdom literature genre. The aim of wisdom literature is to help us grow in biblical wisdom (obviously). What is that? In short, it is living life with godly skill, thinking with the mind of God, and prioritizing or judging with godly priorities.

“Provision” isn’t a word most Americans think much about. It’s a weightless word to us. We may use it euphemistically when we stock up on “provisions” for a road trip, meaning Twizzlers and combos. We may use it to refer to unexpected upgrades in life – “The Lord provided us with a new car” or “The Lord provided our church with the means to get that new sound system.” Some of us remember times when God provided for needs in obvious ways like a check in the mail to cover rent or the generosity of a friend to pay for a hospital bill. We recognize these as God’s provision, but we rarely depend on provision.

The name "Jehovah Jireh" is first seen in Genesis 22:14 when God provides a ram in the thicket in place of the sacrifice of his son: 

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. - KJV

So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." - NIV

Photo Credit: Unsplash/JeremyYap

Often we simply read scripture for information, to follow a rule, or as an academic pursuit. Reading to meet God sounds like a great idea and the ideal for a Christian, but how do we actually do it? How can we change our mind-sets to view Scripture as a living, rich revelation instead of a religious tome of instructions and history?

Here are seven ways.

“And Moses built an altar and named it ‘The LORD is my Banner.”  -Exodus 17:15

We are introduced to the Hebrew name, Jehovah Nissi, in the story of the Israelites and Moses while wandering in the wilderness.  Moses was the first one to call upon the Lord Jehovah Nissi in Exodus 17. 

When Israel faced the Amalekites in battle at Rephidim it wasn’t with overwhelming force, an experienced army, or the best commanders. It was as a transient tribe of herdsmen escaping slavery in Egypt and travelling uncertainly to a promised land they hadn’t seen in over four hundred years. They were trespassers travelling through the lands of fierce fighting peoples. They travelled with women, children, herds, and all their possessions. The battle was for survival, for hope, for a future.

But they travelled with something else too, something else that no other nation on earth had – a pillar of fire, a cloud of smoke, the very presence of God. Israel did not fight its battles alone. No matter how inexperienced or overmatched they were they were never the underdogs. No matter how desperate they felt they were never at a loss. The great general, the perfect protector, the LORD was with them. The very name used in Scripture is Jehovah Nissi - "the Lord is my banner". Moses experienced both physical and spiritual victory with the Lord's banner waving over the battle.

The aim of any follower of Jesus should be to draw closer to Him. We are disciples and disciples are followers, learners, and imitators. We live to be more like Jesus and share more of Jesus in all we do. It’s clear how we do this in ministry or spiritual disciplines or evangelism. But what does it look like in work or in creative ventures – art, music, film, writing, design, entrepreneurialism, philanthropy, volunteerism, and more? How can creating draw us closer to God? Here are ten ways.