Which Old Testament prophecies connect with the redemption mentioned in Luke 1:68? Setting the Scene Luke 1:68: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.” Zechariah’s outburst celebrates two linked actions—God “visited” (came in person) and “redeemed” (paid the price to set free). Both words echo a rich stream of Old Testament promises. Promises of Divine “Visitation” • Exodus 3:16; 4:31 – God “attended to” (visited) Israel’s suffering in Egypt. • Ruth 1:6 – “The LORD had visited His people by giving them bread.” • Jeremiah 29:10 – “I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place.” Every “visitation” passage is preparatory: God shows up, then delivers. Luke presents the ultimate visitation in Christ. Core Redemption Prophecies Zechariah Had in View 1. Exodus Pattern • Exodus 6:6 – “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and mighty acts of judgment.” • Psalm 106:10 – “He saved them from the hand of the adversary; He redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.” The first redemption (from Egypt) became the template for every future hope. 2. Redemption Celebrated in the Psalms • Psalm 111:9 – “He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name.” • Psalm 130:7-8 – “O Israel, put your hope in the LORD… He will redeem Israel from all iniquity.” These psalms move redemption beyond political rescue to forgiveness of sin. 3. Isaiah’s Vision of the Redeemer • Isaiah 43:1 – “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!” • Isaiah 44:22-23 – “I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud… for the LORD has redeemed Jacob.” • Isaiah 52:9 – “The LORD has comforted His people; He has redeemed Jerusalem.” • Isaiah 59:20 – “The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression.” Isaiah ties redemption to the coming of a personal Redeemer—the Messianic Servant. 4. Jeremiah and the New-Covenant Hope • Jeremiah 31:11 – “The LORD has ransomed Jacob and redeemed him from the hand that had overpowered him.” This chapter later unveils the new covenant (vv 31-34), grounding redemption in a fresh, inward work of God. 5. Other Prophetic Voices • Hosea 13:14 – “I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from Death.” • Micah 4:10 – “There the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.” • Jeremiah 50:34 – “Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of Hosts is His name.” How These Threads Converge in Luke 1 • Visitation + redemption = Immanuel’s arrival. • Exodus language frames Jesus as the greater Moses who frees from sin, not just Pharaoh. • Isaiah and Jeremiah supply the promise of a personal Redeemer who inaugurates the new covenant—precisely what Christ accomplishes. • The psalmists’ link between redemption and forgiveness foreshadows Jesus’ blood “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). Takeaway When Zechariah declared that God had “visited and redeemed His people,” he was announcing the fulfillment of centuries-old promises—from Exodus to Isaiah—now embodied in the newborn Messiah. |
    |