Our Redeemer Lives
As we enter into the season of resurrection let us be clear that Christ redeemed us by dying for us and then He was resurrected and seated at the right hand of the Father in victory over every enemy for all eternity.
It wasn’t until after we were redeemed that we could be given the resurrection life that now dwells inside each one of us.
The Law of Redemption
The word “redeem” means: to buy back a relative, to be a deliverer, to perform the duty of the near or next kinsfolk, to purchase or ransom.
Four things were required in order for a kinsman to redeem: He must be next of kin. (Leviticus 25:48; 25:25 Ruth 3:12–13). He must be able to redeem (Ruth 4:4–6). He must be free of any calamity or need of redemption himself. (Ruth 4:6). He must be willing to redeem (Leviticus 25:27 and Ruth 4:7–11).
The nearest of kin had the right and the responsibility of redeeming his kinsman.
The law of redemption meant if a family member was forced into slavery, his redeemer purchased his freedom. When debt threatened to take away land and livelihood, the kinsman was to step in to redeem the land and let the family live there. When death came at the hands of another man the redeemer was to act as the avenger of blood and pursue the killer (Numbers 35:12–34 and Deuteronomy 19:1–3).
God’s Plan for Women in Redemption
If a family member died without an heir the kinsman was supposed to marry the widow and rear a son to continue the name of his relative and to care for the widow. (Deuteronomy 25:5 and Genesis 38:8).
Selfishness Perverted the Law of Redemption
If there was no kinsman alive, a woman was stuck waiting for a son to be born into the family who could marry her so the name of the dead could live on. Most young men did not want to marry their brother’s widow and give him children before he started his own family. This left many women hopelessly waiting for what in most cases would never come: a second chance at marriage, children, having a family of their own and love.
The greatest example of someone following the law of redemption in the Old Covenant as God meant it to be is seen in Ruth and Boaz’s story.
Boaz met all the criteria for a redeemer. He was the nearest of kin to her deceased husband (Ruth 2:1). He was able to redeem by paying the price of redemption (2:1), he was free from any debt without any need of redemption himself, and he was willing to redeem both Ruth and Naomi (4:4). Beyond all these things Boaz loved Ruth and wanted to marry her.
God’s love redeemed us.
In this same way God sent Jesus to redeem the whole human race in bondage to sin and judged according to the law. Not only did Jesus meet the criteria, but like Boaz, He redeems us because of His love for us. However, He paid a much greater price for our redemption than Boaz did for Ruth with His life.
“Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:2).
1) He is our nearest kinsman through the incarnation: “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6–7 KJV).
2) He is able to redeem us: “He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him,” (Hebrews 7:25).
3) Christ is free of all calamity and sin: “ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,” (Hebrews 4:15).
4) He is willing to redeem us: “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8 KJV). It is our responsibility to lay at His feet, and say, “Cover me for you are my redeemer” (Ruth 3:9).
Beloved, I encourage you to take a pause and give thanks to God for all that His love redeem you from, personally.
(This post is taken from my soon coming book: A Call to God’s Daughters to Step in the His LAB: love acceptance beauty)
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