The Redeemer

by JAS. MARTIN | Category: The Lord Jesus Christ: His Person And Work | Jun 1953

Our apprehension of the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ will be greatly enhanced by a study of the aspects of redemption that are revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures. This is not surprising, for the things written aforetime were written for our learning, and the embryo of many a precious truth, fully revealed in our Lord Jesus Christ, though not fully apprehended by us, finds its place in the Old Testament.

At the very basis of man's relationship with God lies the fact that God has come out to redeem men to Himself. Here man's knowledge of God has its true beginning.

Let us consider, then, the divinely decreed laws and activities of the Kinsman-Redeemer as they were observed in the early history of God's chosen people. The Hebrew word used is "Ga'al," which, in its primary sense, means "to make a claim," "to vindicate, in the sense of claiming something that has been lost or forfeited." Variously described by another scholar, it means "to resume a claim or right which has lapsed." In practice the person who could fulfil this responsibility had to be one near of kin. Leviticus 25.25, 49. give the order of right of redemption. This responsibility referred not only to lands and possessions, but also to the redemption of a poor brother who had sold himself into bondage (Leviticus 25.25, 47). The law seems also to hold within it the right of pre-emption, or the first refusal before exposure for sale. The book of Ruth and Jeremiah 32. provide interesting examples of the working out of this law in Israel. From the story of Ruth we may gather that it was also part of the kinsman's responsibility to marry the "wife of the dead to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance" (Ruth 4.5). Thus the Ga'al was not only one with a right laid on him because of near kinship, but he became a redeemer, in our accepted meaning of the word, namely, "one who buys back." He had to be both willing and able to redeem. A further shade of meaning comes into the word where the Ga'al is described as the" avenger of blood" (Deuteronomy 19. 6; Numbers 35.12). At this juncture in Israel's history instructions for the appointing of cities of refuge are given. Perhaps the same meaning may be discerned in the memorable words of Job (19.25), when he said, "I know that my Redeemer (R.V.M.... Vindicator) liveth." Proverbs 23.11 also suggests the meaning of an "Advocate." Thus, there are many cases where in the use of this word, the idea of a money payment by the next of kin falls into the background, and the meaning is purely "to save." "to deliver," or "to plead one's cause." Thus it is that the word is extensively used in the Old Testament to describe the LORD in His saving work and activities towards Israel. It is a profitable study to meditate upon the many references. We have space for only a few. The LORD redeems (as a Ga'al) from destruction (Psalm 103. 4); from deceit (Psalm 72.14);

from oppression and violence (Psalm 72.14); from captivity (Psalm 107.2); from death (Hosea 13.14); from Egypt (Exodus 6. 6); and from all evil (Genesis 48.16).

In many passages Israel describes the LORD as "Israel's Redeemer." These truths concerning the kinsman's responsibilities in redemption, simply recorded in precept and example in the Old Testament Scriptures, have a deeper and fuller significance when we see them fulfilled in our blessed Lord Jesus Christ.

Concerning ourselves, the words of Isaiah are true, "Behold, for your iniquities were ye sold" (Isaiah 50.1); yea, " Ye were sold for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money" (Isaiah 52.8). To this all history bears witness, and the divine records confirm it, that we were "sold under sin" (Romans 7.14), becoming the bondservants of sin. When, lo, we can most fervently repeat the words of the women who came to cheer Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a near kinsman, and let his name be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of life, and a nourisher of thine old age " (Ruth 4.14, 15). In sublime language John records the wondrous fact that "the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us ... full of grace and truth" (John 1.14). "Since then the children are sharers in blood and flesh, He also Himself in like manner partook of the same; ... For verily not of angels doth He take hold, but He taketh hold of the seed of Abraham" (Hebrews 2.14-16), are precious words recorded concerning the coming into this scene of the Son of God. By His birth in Bethlehem, He became very Man, liable to sorrows and temptations that afflict men, but He, Himself, was without sin (Hebrews 4.15). He is a very near Kinsman, and He is not ashamed to call us "brethren," but declares, "Behold, I and the children which God hath given Me" (Hebrews 2.11, 18). In Him, we learn that "we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1.7; Colossians 1.18). He has delivered us out of the hand of the Adversary when we could not redeem ourselves. Moreover, He has been the "Avenger" of blood in bringing "to nought him that had the power of death, that is the devil" (Hebrews 2.14). Further, a rich provision is made for us, during the time of our sojourn here ... for "if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous" (1 John 2.1). The "precious blood ... even the blood of Christ" is the liberating factor from a vain manner of life ... a life of empty tradition. (See 1 Peter 1. 18, 19). He "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a people for His own possession, zealous of good works " (Titus 2.14). Surely we have much reason to rejoice in that "He entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained ETERNAL redemption" (Hebrews 9.12). We are verily conscious of the fact, however, that in company with the whole creation, we, even we, who "have the firstfruits of the Spirit,... groan within ourselves, waiting for ... the redemption of our body" (Romans 8.22, 28). When that grand day dawns, and our blessed Redeemer comes to claim His purchased possession, He "shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of His glory" (Philippians 3. 21). The apostle Paul quotes David (in Romans 4.7) as saying, "Blessed are they whose sins are covered." This takes us back to those powerful words of Job 33.24:," Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.' The Hebrew word "ransom" (used here) is derived from a verb meaning "to cover," being associated with the material that covers, and carries us further back to the instruction concerning the Ark that Noah built which was covered with bitumen for the preservation of his family. This Ark had to be covered "within and without with pitch." We would suggest here, in passing, that a reading of Psalm 49.7, 9, as it is punctuated in the revised version, will give a fuller meaning to the truth expressed in verse 7, namely, "none of them can by any means redeem (Hebrew padah - release) his brother, nor give to God a ransom (a cover) for him: ... that he should still live always ... (for the redemption of their soul is costly, and must be let alone for ever)." This calls for great rejoicing that our Lord Jesus Christ has obtained, by His death and resurrection, eternal redemption.

Twice in the Gospels, Matthew 20.28, and Mark 10.45, we read that " the Son of Man came ... to give His life a ransom (Greek lidron) for many." Here the word "ransom" means a "loosing" by the payment of an equivalent price ... a redemptive price. The little word "for" (Greek-anti) may mean " in exchange for," "as the equivalent of," or "instead of." For we are "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God set forth to be a propitiation ... " (Romans 3.24, 25). In 1 Timothy 2.6 we read of" Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a Ransom (Greek - antilutron - a substitutionary ransom) for all." Here the preposition "for" is the Greek "huper," and may be translated "on behalf of." How rich and liberal is this precious substitutionary Ransom for it is a provision for all mankind, although only those who avail themselves of its worth by appropriating faith will be among "the many" (Matthew 20.28), who will benefit from it!

The story of Redemption, which in our language means "to buy back," is partially told out in the words used by men who "spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1. 21). "Agorazo" is the Greek word used in 1 Corinthians 6.20, and 1 Corinthians 7.28, for the twice repeated phrase " ye were bought with a price." This word primarily means " to frequent the market-place" (Greek -agora), hence "to do business there, to buy." By adding the prefix, ex or ek, meaning "out of," the above word is strengthened - exagorazo means the purchasing of a slave, and taking him out of the market-place, never more to allow him to be put up for sale, but to give him his liberty and his freedom. Thus Paul, encouraging the backsliding Galatians, used the word in chapter 3.18, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law," yea, "God sent forth His own Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that He might redeem them which were under the law ... " (Galatians 4.5-7). "With freedom did Christ set us free" (Galatians 5. 1). A strengthened form of "lutron" (already mentioned), namely, "apolutrosis," meaning a rich and full releasing, is used in 1 Corinthians 1.80. Here we have a liberation and a redemption from this scene of earth, as in Romans 8.28,... "the redemption of our body." Wherefore we would remind ourselves of Paul's words to the Ephesians, "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4.80).

"Redemption! oh, wonderful story

Glad message for you and for me;

That Jesus has purchased our pardon,

And paid all the debt on the tree."

"My Redeemer! oh what beauties

In that lovely name appear!

None but Jesus in His glories

Shall the honoured title wear."

JAS. MARTIN | Jun 1953
The Lord Jesus Christ: His Person And Work