Redemption

—Freedom obtained through a price paid

The concept of redemption can be fully understood only by studying the Biblical context of people held captive by the power of forces they cannot defeat. Only through intervention can that slavery be broken and freedom accomplished, often by paying a ransom. In the Old Testament, God intervened on behalf of Israel, in the great redemptive event from Egypt. References in the Old Testament to redemption from sin, point forward to the redemption provided in Christ Jesus.

Many aspects of freedom can purchased with money. Even the most vicious criminal can be bailed out of jail by his friends, but it is temporary freedom at best. No person can break the bondage of another man's to sin. No person can redeem another human being. We are all slaves to sin. Jesus, however, paid the ransom with His blood, His death. The benefit of our redemption is to enjoy freedom from the guilt and the power of sin, and to live a life of service that reflects our new standing. That goal will be fully achieved only at the resurrection on the last day.

  1. Redemption among humans
    1. Redemption of an Israelite slave
    2. Slave could redeem himself —Lev. 25:49
    3. Slave could be redeemed by relatives —Lev. 25:48-49
    4. Slave released in Year of Jubilee —Lev. 25:54
  2. Redemption of property
    1. A person could redeem his own land —Lev. 25:26-27
    2. A relative could redeem the land —Lev. 25:25, 48-53
    3. Land returned in the Year of Jubilee —Lev. 25:28, 39-43
    4. Land could be redeemed through marriage —Ruth 4:1-12
  3. Redemption by God
    1. Natural redemption for Israelites
      1. Israelites were slaves in Egypt —Gen. 15:13; Ex. 1:11-14; Dt. 5:15
      2. Israelites redeemed through the exodus —Ex. 6:6; 2 Sam. 7:22-24; Ps. 106:8-10; Micah 6:4
      3. Price paid was the destruction of Egypt —Isa. 43:3
      4. Judah redeemed from Babylon —Isa. 54:5-8; Jer. 31:10-11; Micah 4:10
    2. Spiritual redemption from sin
      1. We need redemption
        1. Everyone starts out a slave to sin —Jn. 8:34; Rom. 6:17
        2. People cannot redeem each other —Ps. 49:7-8
      2. God redeemed the Israelites —Ps. 130:8; Isa. 44:21-22; Lk. 1:68-71
      3. Christ Jesus is our redeemer
        1. Redemption accomplished in Christ —Rom. 3:24; Col. 1:13-14
        2. The ransom paid was His blood —Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 5:9
        3. The ransom paid was His death —Mk. 10:45; Heb. 9:15; 1 Tim. 2:6
      4. The purpose of redemption
        1. To justify us before God —Rom. 3:24
        2. To free us from wickedness —Rom. 6:7, 22; Titus 2:14
        3. To free us from the law —Gal. 4:5
        4. To free us from the curse —Gal. 3:13
        5. To free us from an empty way of life —1 Pet. 1:18
      5. The results of redemption
        1. We are forgiven —Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14
        2. We can now live free lives —Gal. 5:1, 13
        3. We can now serve God —1 Pet. 2:16
        4. We wait for our final redemption —Lk. 21:27-28; Rom. 8:23; Eph. 1:14


    Related Study Links:

    Slaves and freedom
    The exodus: prophesied and fulfilled
    Canaan as the promised land
    The gospel in the Old Testament
    Redemption through blood
    Salvation not by works
    Freedom for a Christian