Our Redeemer, the Messiah
To understand what the title “Redeemer” means, as used in the Word of God, cannot be clearly and completely understood through a casual reading from Websters’ or other dictionaries. This word defines the role our Savior accepted on our behalf.
As we search the Scriptures to learn about what “redeemer” means and what our “Redeemer” accomplished for our sakes we will need to examine various Biblical books for evidence. When we are finished with our investigation, we will understand how important this ancient word is to us even today. Below are the first and second usage in God’s word of “redeem.”. The first instance is a verse in Genesis chapter 48 with Jacob recognizing how he was “redeemed“, or delivered, from evil earlier in his life. And the second verse, in Exodus chapter 6, is the Almighty telling Moses that He will “redeem“, or deliver, His people Israel from Egyptian slavery.
Genesis 48
(15) And he blessed Joseph, and said: “God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day,
(16) The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”
Exodus 6
(6) Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.
Dictionaries, etc.
Important Definitions
Next on our quest, we will look at three definitions from notable sources. We will look at Websters Dictionary, Strong’s Dictionary, and the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, all well known amongst Bible students. Of course, the primary source for our search will always be the Scriptures themselves.
The Websters Dictionary primary definition for the word redeem .
Redeem
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.
The Strong’s definition for the word used as (kinsman) redeemer, ‘goel’ in Hebrew .
H1350 גּאל gâ’al gaw-al’
A primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), that is, to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative’s property, marry his widow, etc.): – X in any wise, X at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near, next) kinsfolk (-man), purchase, ransom, redeem (-er), revenger.
The Ancient Hebrew Lexicon for the word used as (kinsman) redeemer, ‘goel’ in Hebrew .
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( common, גאל / g.a.l ) Translation: REDEEM (V) Definition: To buy back. Restore one to his original position or avenge his death. In the participle form this verb means “avenger,” as it is the role of the nearest relative to buy back one in slavery or avenge his murder. KJV Translations: redeem, redeemer, kinsman, revenger, avenger, ransom, deliver, kinsfolks, kinsman’s, part, purchase, stain, wise Strong’s Hebrew #: h.1350Note: while these three sources all agree that “redeem” means pay a ransom to get someone or something returned, we will discover as we move ahead with our study that there is more to this issue.
Law of the Kinsman Redeemer
Viewable below are three passages of Scripture. As you read them, these Scriptures will provide a witness regarding the actions of Boaz, Ruth, Naomi, and others. The Almighty God foresaw the need for instructions when family tragedies needed solutions. He provided a system whereby His people could either buy back their property or every fiftieth year (the year of Jubilee) land was returned to the original owners.
Leviticus 25
(25) ‘If one of your brethren becomes poor, and has sold some of his possession, and if his redeeming relative comes to redeem it, then he may redeem what his brother sold.
(26) Or if the man has no one to redeem it, but he himself becomes able to redeem it,
(27) then let him count the years since its sale, and restore the remainder to the man to whom he sold it, that he may return to his possession.
(28) But if he is not able to have it restored to himself, then what was sold shall remain in the hand of him who bought it until the Year of Jubilee; and in the Jubilee it shall be released, and he shall return to his possession.
(29) ‘If a man sells a house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; within a full year he may redeem it.
(30) But if it is not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house in the walled city shall belong permanently to him who bought it, throughout his generations. It shall not be released in the Jubilee.
(31) However the houses of villages which have no wall around them shall be counted as the fields of the country. They may be redeemed, and they shall be released in the Jubilee.
Leviticus 25
(47) ‘Now if a sojourner or stranger close to you becomes rich, and one of your brethren who dwells by him becomes poor, and sells himself to the stranger or sojourner close to you, or to a member of the stranger’s family,
(48) after he is sold he may be redeemed again. One of his brothers may redeem him;
(49) or his uncle or his uncle’s son may redeem him; or anyone who is near of kin to him in his family may redeem him; or if he is able he may redeem himself.
(50) Thus he shall reckon with him who bought him: The price of his release shall be according to the number of years, from the year that he was sold to him until the Year of Jubilee; it shall be according to the time of a hired servant for him.
(51) If there are still many years remaining, according to them he shall repay the price of his redemption from the money with which he was bought.
(52) And if there remain but a few years until the Year of Jubilee, then he shall reckon with him, and according to his years he shall repay him the price of his redemption.
(53) He shall be with him as a yearly hired servant, and he shall not rule with rigor over him in your sight.
(54) And if he is not redeemed in these years, then he shall be released in the Year of Jubilee—he and his children with him.
(55) For the children of Israel are servants to Me; they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 25
(5) “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband’s brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her.
(6) And it shall be that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.
(7) But if the man does not want to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to raise up a name to his brother in Israel; he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother.’
(8) Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him. But if he stands firm and says, ‘I do not want to take her,’
(9) then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.’
(10) And his name shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal removed.’
In the Book of Ruth we see how the law of the “kinsman redeemer” blessed and restored the lives of a Jewish family (Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons). The family name and inheritance is preserved through their actions of Boaz their “kinsman redeemer” and the life of Ruth, the widow of their son. All the men of the family had died. The book of Ruth is only four chapters and is a wonderful story of God’s working in through the lives of His people.
Disaster in Moab for Naomi
What a dilemma Naomi finds herself in. After living in the land of Moab for ten years, her husband and two sons all have died. Naomi’s two sons had married Moabite women who were still living. Without any of her own blood relatives to help her, Naomi decides to return back to Judah where she has relatives. Her family had sold their land to survive the famine hardship. Read the narrative below..
Ruth 1
(1) Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.
(2) The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there.
(3) Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.
(4) Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years.
(5) Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.
Naomi tells her two daughters-in-law of her decision to return to her homeland in Judah. She urges them to return to their mother’s home and find new husbands. They all wept as such heartbreaking words were spoken between them. Both of Naomi’s daughters-in-law tell Naomi that they intend to go back to Judah with her, Naomi says that it is in their best interest to not go with her. One daughter does stay, but Ruth cannot bear to be separated from Naomi and continues to speak to Naomi. Read what Ruth says below.
Ruth 1
(16) But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.
(17) Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”
(18) When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.
After Naomi and Ruth go back to Bethlehem in Judah, Ruth goes to a field to glean what is left by the reapers. The field belongs to a man named Boaz, who is the brother to Naomi’s deceased husband Elimelech. Boaz discovers who Ruth is to Naomi and instructs his servants to be kind to her. Read below Naomi’s reaction after Ruth tells her of her interaction with Boaz.
Ruth 2
(19) And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? And where did you work? Blessed be the one who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”
(20) Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Blessed be he of the LORD, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!” And Naomi said to her, “This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.”
Naomi instructs Ruth on what to do and say to motivate Boaz to champion the part of the kinsman redeemer to Ruth & Naomi. Ruth, being unfamiliar with the laws & procedures listens to Naomi and follows her instructions. See the verses below.
Ruth 3
(9) And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.”
(10) Then he said, “Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.
(11) And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.
(12) Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.
So Boaz decides to be the Kinsman Redeemer to Naomi and to take Ruth as his wife. But . . . there is another brother older than Boaz who has first choice. Boaz discusses the matter with that brother in front of witness. The elder brother declines so Boaz prevails to be the Kinsman Redeemer to Naomi and Ruth.
Ruth 4
(1) Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down.
(2) And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.
(3) Then he said to the close relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech.
(4) And I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.’ ” And he said, “I will redeem it.”
(5) Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance.”
(6) And the close relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”
The remainder of this article will be focused upon verifying that the credentials of Jesus Christ qualify Him for the role of “Kinsman Redeemer“. Many Scriptures will be quoted providing the Biblical evidence confirming our Messiah, Jesus Christ, to indeed be our “Redeemer“.
In order for Jesus to redeem . . . deliver . . . rescue those human beings which have faith . . . trust . . . belief in our “Redeemer”, He must measure up to the requirements necessary for the role of “goel”, Kinsman Redeemer, not just for only one person, but for all of humanity, as well.
Colossians Chapter 1 Evidence
The portion of Colossians chapter 1 quoted below is one of the most important passages to read and understand in God’s Word. The words which the Apostle Paul wrote about Jesus the Christ are powerful and enlightening. Let’s consider what Paul wrote.
Colossians 1
(15) who is the image of the invisible God, the First-born of all creation. (the invisible God showed Himself in Jesus the Christ.
(16) For all things were created in Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created through Him and for Him.
(17) And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.
(18) And He is the Head of the body, the church, who is the Beginning, the First-born from the dead, that He may be pre-eminent in all things.
(19) For it pleased the Father that in Him all fullness should dwell. (For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Col 2:9 )
(20) And through Him having made peace through the blood of His cross, it pleased the Father to reconcile all things to Himself through Him, whether the things on earth or the things in Heaven.
Jesus Christ is Referred to as Redeemer
Jesus Christ, Yashua ha Mashiach, is positively identified as the Redeemer. As our Redeemer His role involves paying the price to deliver us from the penalty we all deserve. Various Biblical books testify that Jesus is the “Redeemer“.
Luke 24
(21) But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.
Galatians 3
(13) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”),
Deuteronomy 21
(22) “If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree,
(23) his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.
Galatians 4
(4) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
(5) to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Titus 2
(11) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
(12) teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
(13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
(14) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God
What does it mean when Jesus Christ is referred to as the Son of God? This is not a simple question to answer. Are not believers in Jesus (Yashua) also called “sons of God” ? ?
1Timothy 3
(16) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
Colossians 1
(19) For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
Deuteronomy 25
(5) “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband’s brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her.
(6) And it shall be that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.
(7) But if the man does not want to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to raise up a name to his brother in Israel; he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother.’
(8) Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him. But if he stands firm and says, ‘I do not want to take her,’
(9) then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.’
(10) And his name shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal removed.’
The Messiah Our Redeemer by EJS Jesus, the Son of God Repeatedly throughout God’s Word the One who is identified as the Son of God is Jesus the Christ or Yashua ha Mashiach. This establishes Him in a role whereby He can identify Himself with humanity. Please remember that He is God’s Son, God manifested in the Flesh. 1Timothey 3:16 Daniel 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. The Sons of God, those that believe in the Messiah, Jesus
By receiving Jesus, Yashua, as our Saviour, our Messiah, God elevates us to the place we must be in order to inherit eternal life. Notice that we are now very near to our Messiah. He is the Son of God and we are the sons of God. Let us continue our study into the Goel, our Kinsman Redeemer ! John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Jesus, our Brother
Proverbs 18: 24. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Hebrews 2 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Jesus, our Brother, is Qualified to Redeem All, not Only One
Because Jesus, Yashua, created all things He can offer His Sacrificial Life for all humanity, which He did. The price has already been paid for our salvation. Now is the day of salvation for all. Please understand who He, Jesus, is and what He has done for us. While today is still called today turn your life over to Him and become a new creation in Jesus Christ, Yashua haMashiach. John 1 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. Colossians 1 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 1 John 4 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 1 John 2 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. The Price of Redemption Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Jesus Paid the Price in Full 2 Corinthians 5 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 1 Peter 2 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. Colossians 2 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Jesus Restores our Inheritance Galatians 3 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Romans 8 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
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