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Redemption
Part I
In the beginning when Adam chose to disobey his creator, YHVH (The LORD) cast him out of His presence; out of the Kingdom of God. All of mankind was therefore subject to the influence of the adversary and became entangled in the penalty of sin which is death. Yet the Almighty’s plan was to restore man to his former relationship. Because sin and death are enemies of God a peace covenant between man and Elohim (God) was needed; made available by a redemption. Hence the gospel of the Kingdom of God is proclaimed to deliver man from the bondage of sin and death.
The Almighty did not abandon mankind; in Genesis 3:15 a Seed, from the woman, was to come and crush (NIV) the adversary’s head; that Seed would be our Redeemer.
What is redemption? Why is redemption needed for restoration? What is required to be Redeemed? What has a ransom to do with redemption? Who is the Redeemer? Is redemption a one time event? A careful study should leave you awed by our Awesome God; without redemption you are doomed to die - death is an enemy of YHVH because He is Life. His restoration plan of redemption offers you eternal life.
Is the redemption process clearly evident in Scripture?
Sown throughout Scripture is the basic theme of redemption. YHVH’s word to Israel (and His people today) is that He is their Redeemer; He gave them rules pertaining to the redemption of their kinsman and of the land as a picture of His Divine Redemption plan for man thru Yeshua (Jesus) the promised Seed and Redeemer.
When YHVH delivered Israel from Egypt (Egypt a type of bondage and sin) He took Egypt’s firstborn of man and beast as an atonement (ransom) for them; this is a picture of His divine plan. Therefore He told Israel all firstborn belonged to Him:
Num 3:13 "For all the first-born are Mine; on the day that I struck down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the first-born in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be Mine; I am the LORD." (all Scripture from the NAS unless indicated)
The firstborn of man was to be redeemed (a lesson redemption):
Num 18:15 "... nevertheless the first-born of man you shall surely redeem… 16 "And as to their redemption price, from a month old you shall redeem them, by your valuation, five shekels in silver…
TSK (Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge): shalt thou redeem. Redemption of the firstborn is one of the rites which are still practiced among the Jews. According to Leo of Modena, it is performed in the following manner:--When the child is thirty days old, the father sends for one of the descendants of Aaron: several persons being assembled on the occasion, the father brings a cup, containing several pieces of gold and silver coin. The priest then takes the child into his arms, and addressing himself to the mother, he says, "Is this thy son?" Mother. "Yes." Priest. "Hast thou never had another child, male or female, a miscarriage, or untimely birth?" Mother. "No." Priest. "This being the case, this child, as firstborn, belongs to me." Then turning to the father, he says, "If it be thy desire to have this child, thou must redeem it." Father. "I present thee with this gold and silver for this purpose." Priest. "Thou dost wish, therefore, to redeem this child?" Father. "I do wish so to do." The priest then turning himself to the assembly, says, "Very well: this child, as first-born, is mine; as it is written in Bemidbar (Numbers), (ch. 18:16,) Thou shalt redeem the first-born of a month old for five shekels; but I shall content myself with this in exchange." He then takes two gold crowns, or thereabouts, and returns the child to his parents.
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Principle of the kinsman-redeemer [Yeshua (Jesus) is our kinsman redeemer]:
Lev 25:48 then he shall have redemption right after he has been sold. One of his brothers may redeem him, 49 or his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or one of his blood relatives from his family may redeem him…
This principle is found in the book of Ruth:
Ruth 4:6 And the closest relative said, (to Boaz) "I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption…"
Ruth 4:14 Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed is the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel.
Man can redeem the physical but not the soul:
Ps 49:7 No man can by any means redeem his brother, Or give to God a ransom for him -- 8 For the redemption of his soul is costly, And he should cease trying forever -- 9 That he should live on eternally; That he should not undergo decay. ... 15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol (death); For He will receive me. Selah.
Job understood a Redeemer was required:
Job 19:25 "And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. 26 "Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God;
Our spiritual Redeemer:
Luke 1:68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,
1Pet 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
Who is The Redeemer?
Isa 44:24 Thus says the LORD (YHVH), your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "I, the LORD, am the maker of all things…
Restoration - Being made right by the Redemption in Messiah:
Rom 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
1Cor 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
What does redemption do for us?
Ps 103:4 Who redeems your life from the pit (death); Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Col 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Gal 4:5 in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law (Barnes: those who had violated the law, and who were exposed to its dread penalty.), that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
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Consider Webster’s understanding of the redemption process back in 1828:
Then liken it unto your understanding according to Scripture and bless YHVH.
Webster (1828)
REDEMP'TION , n. [L. redemptio.] (edited for length)
1. Repurchase of captured goods or prisoners; the act of procuring the deliverance of persons or things from the possession and power of captors by the payment of an equivalent; ransom; release …
2. Deliverance from bondage, distress, or from liability to any evil or forfeiture…
3. Repurchase, as of lands alienated. Lev 25. Jer 32.
4. The liberation of an estate from a mortgage… also, the right of redeeming and re-entering.
5. Repurchase of notes, bills or other evidence of debt by paying their value in specie to their holders.
6. In theology, … the ransom or deliverance of sinners from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God's violated law by the atonement of Christ. In whom we have redemption through his blood. Eph 1, Col 1
REDEE'MER , n.
1. One who redeems or ransoms.
2. The Savior of the world, JESUS CHRIST.
RAN'SOMED, pp. Redeemed or rescued from captivity, bondage or punishment by the payment of an equivalent.
REDEE'M, v.t. [L. redimo; red, re, and emo, to obtain or purchase.]
1. To purchase back; to ransom; to liberate or rescue from captivity or bondage, or from any obligation or liability to suffer or to be forfeited, by paying an equivalent; as, to redeem prisoners or captured goods; to redeem a pledge.
2. To repurchase what has been sold... by repaying the value of it to the possessor.
3. To rescue; to recover; to deliver from.
4. To compensate; to make amends for.
5. To free by making atonement.
6. To pay the penalty of.
7. To save.
8. To perform what has been promised... He has redeemed his pledge or promise.
10. In theology, to rescue and deliver from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God's violated law, by obedience and suffering in the place of the sinner...
REDEE'MED , pp. Ransomed; delivered from bondage, distress, penalty, liability, or from the possession of another, by paying an equivalent.
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Redemption is a process:
It begins for each individual when we recognize our need for deliverance (redemption) from our sinful nature - a nature that is in slavery to sin, sickness, sorrow, and death. The Redeemer (Yeshua) has already provided the ransom price; we can accept this new way (freedom from sin and death) by being born again - being set on a new course "…zealous for good deeds", until the fullness of our redemption comes.
The Fullness of Redemption is yet to Come:
Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Rom 8:23 … waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
Redemption is ongoing - a process:
Exod 15:13 "In Thy lovingkindness Thou hast led the people whom Thou hast redeemed...
2Sam 4:9 David answered ... "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress,
Jer 15:21 "So I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, And I will redeem you from the grasp of the violent."
Prayer to our Redeemer:
Ps 26:11 ... Redeem me, and be gracious to me.
Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
Isa 63:16 ...Thou, O LORD, art our Father, Our Redeemer from of old is Thy name.
Our Redeemer is our Advocate:
Jer 50:34 "Their Redeemer is strong, the LORD of hosts is His name; He will vigorously plead their case, So that He may bring rest to the earth...
Lam 3:58 O Lord, Thou didst plead my soul's cause; Thou hast redeemed my life.
Prov 23:11 For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their case ...
YHVH’s Lovingkindness Redeems (delivers) those that trust Him:
Ps 34:22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants; And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Isa 44:22 "I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud, And your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."
Proclaim Your Redemption:
Isa 62:12 And they will call them, "The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD"...
Ps 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary,
A Warning:
Hos 7:13 Woe to them, for they have strayed from Me! Destruction is theirs, for they have rebelled against Me! I would redeem them, but they speak lies against Me.
Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
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It is extremely difficult to define redemption in one simple statement because it is so weighty; the theme is embedded in the whole of Scripture. It is the basis of YHVH’s restoration plan found in His instructions regarding the land, near of kin, the whole assembly (church), the earth and all of mankind.
Luke 21:28 "But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemptionG629 is drawing near."
Vine:
Redemption (Edited for length)
[B-2,Noun, G629, apolutrosis ]
"a releasing, for (i.e., on payment of) a ransom." It is used of:
(a) "deliverance" from physical torture, Heb 11:35;
(b) the deliverance of the people of God at the coming of Christ with His glorified saints, …Luke 21:28;
(c) forgiveness and justification, "redemption" as the result of expiation, deliverance from the guilt of sins, Rom 3:24, " through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;" Eph 1:7, …" indicating both the liberation from the guilt and doom of sin and the introduction into a life of liberty, "newness of life" (Rom 6:4);
(d) the deliverance of the believer from the presence and power of sin, and of his body from bondage to corruption, at the coming (the Parousia in its inception) of the Lord Jesus, Rom 8:23; 1Cor 1:30; Eph 1:14; Eph 4:30.
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This Redemptive process is pictured throughout Scripture.
ISBE (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) [edited for length]:
re-dem'-er, re-demp'-shun (paraq, "to tear loose," "to rescue," padhah, ga'al; agorazo, referring to purchase, lutroumai, from lutron, "a ransom"):
The idea of redemption in the Old Testament takes its start from the thought of property (Lev 25:26; Ruth 4:4). Money is paid according to law to buy back something which must be delivered or rescued (Num 3:51; Neh 5:8). From this start the word "redemption" throughout the Old Testament is used in the general sense of deliverance. God is the Redeemer of Israel in the sense that He is the Deliverer of Israel (Deut 9:26; 2Sam 7:23; 1Chr 17:21; Isa 52:3). The idea of deliverance includes deliverance from all forms of evil lot, from national misfortune (Isa 52:9; Isa 63:9; compare Lu 2:38), or from plague (Ps 78:35; Ps 78:52), or from calamity of any sort (Gen 48:16; Num 25:4; Num 25:9). Of course, the general thought of the relation of Israel to God was that God had both a claim upon Israel (De 15:15) and an obligation toward Israel (1Chr 17:21; Ps 25:22). Israel belonged to Him, and it was by His own right that He could move into the life of Israel so as to redeem Israel. On the other hand, obligation was upon Him to redeem Israel.
In the New Testament the idea of redemption has more a suggestion of ransom. Men are held under the curse of the law (Gal 3:13), or of sin itself (Ro 7:23). The Redeemer purchases their deliverance by offering Himself as payment for their redemption (Eph 1:7; 1Pet 1:18).
1Pet 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
1. Gradual Moralizing of Idea of Redemption:
… Starting with the idea of redemption price, conceived almost in material terms, religious thought has advanced to conceptions entirely moral and spiritual. … In the beginning God is the Redeemer from distresses of all kinds. He redeems from calamity and from sorrows. … but the Scriptural emphasis moves more and more to deliverance from sin. …
2. Redemption as Life in the Individual:
In trying to discern the meaning of redemption from sin, … keep in mind the Master's words that He came that men might have life and might have it more abundantly (John 10:10). … The man redeemed by money payment comes out of the prison to the light of day, or he comes out of slavery into freedom, or he is restored to his home and friends. … the Biblical emphasis is always upon deliverance from sin as the essential in redemption, but this deliverance is so essential that the life cannot progress in any of its normal activities until it is redeemed from evil. The man who seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness finds all other things added unto him (Mt 6:33). … The aim of redemption, to beget in men's hearts the will to do right, once fulfilled, leads men to seek successfully along all possible avenues for life. …the redeemed life is delivered from every form of selfishness. In the unselfish seeking of life for others the redeemed life finds its own greatest achievement and happiness (Mt 16:25).
3. Redemption as Social:
Just as the idea of redemption concerned itself chiefly with the inner spirit; so also it concerns itself with the individual as the object of redemption. But as the redemption of the inner spirit leads to freedom in all realms of life, so also the redemption of the individual leads to large social transformations. … The object of redemption is rather men set in relation to each other as members of a family. … (1Co 12:12-27).
4. Redemption as Process:
… the aim of redemption is to make men like Christ (Ro 8:9). We can say then that the aim of redemption is to beget in men life like that in Christ.
5. Moral Implications in the Scriptural Idea of Redeemer:
Moreover, redemption must not be conceived of in such fashion as to do away with the need of response upon the part of the individual will. … The dreadfulness of sin is largely in the love of sinning which sinning begets. A man who himself hates sin may not stop to realize that some other men love sin. Redemption, to mean anything, must touch this inner attitude of will. We cannot then hold to any idea of redemption which brings men under a cleansing process without the assent of their own wills. … The redemption must be conceived of as respecting the moral choices of men.
6. Uniqueness of the Son of God as Redeemer:
If Christ is just a prophet giving us His teaching we rejoice in the teaching, but we are confronted with the problem as to how to make the teaching effective. …the appreciation of Shakespeare does not make the ordinary man like Shakespeare; the appreciation of Christ has not proved successful in itself in making men like unto Christ.
The aim of the redemption in Christ then is to lift men out of death toward life. The mind is to be quickened by the revelation of the true ideals of human life. The conscience is to be reinforced by the revelation of the moral God who carries on all things in the interests of righteousness. … The cross is the revelation of the length to which God is willing to go in redemption rather than set aside one jot or tittle of His moral law. He will not redeem men except on terms which leave them men. He will not overwhelm them in any such manner as to do away with their power of free choice. …men call to Him for forgiveness and that forgiveness men find forever available.
It remains to add one further item of Scriptural teaching, namely that redemption is a continuous process. … the aim of redemption is to make men progressively alive…
… the chief force in the redemption of men is the revelation of holy love in Jesus Christ. If any man hath not the spirit of Christ he does not belong to Christ (Ro 8:9). The aim of redemption is to beget this spirit, and this spirit is life.
Francis J. McConnell
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What can we say? Yeshua our Savior has ransomed us from our lawless ways that would lead to death and called us to freedom, to eternal life and peace in Him. He provides the power to live the way that leads to the Kingdom of God. He alone is our Advocate - He desires us to worship Him by obeying His commands with a heart of love. "If you love Me keep my commandments."
Romans 3:24 (ESV) and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Titus 2:14 (ESV) who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
1 Peter 1:18 (ESV) knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
Hebrews 9:12 (ESV) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
Revelation 5:9 (ESV) And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you …and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
Revelation 14:4 (ESV) …It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb,
Blessed be the Name of YHVH for all that He has done for the sons and daughters of man.
Next time we will continue the theme of Redemption, the Redeemer and the Redeemed.
Thy Kingdom come… Amen
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