Topical Bible: Redemption of Persons or Property

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Introduction

The concept of redemption is a central theme in the Bible, encompassing both spiritual and physical aspects. In the biblical context, redemption refers to the act of buying back or reclaiming something that has been lost or forfeited. This entry explores the redemption of persons and property as outlined in the Scriptures, highlighting its significance and application in the lives of the Israelites and its foreshadowing of spiritual redemption through Christ.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the redemption of persons and property is primarily addressed in the Mosaic Law. The Hebrew word for redemption, "ga'al," signifies the act of a kinsman-redeemer who restores the rights of a relative in distress. This concept is vividly illustrated in the Book of Leviticus and the Book of Ruth.

1. Redemption of Property:
· Leviticus 25:23-28 outlines the laws concerning the redemption of land. The land was considered God's possession, and the Israelites were merely stewards. If an Israelite became impoverished and sold part of their property, the nearest relative had the right to redeem it to keep it within the family. "The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and sojourners with Me" (Leviticus 25:23).

2. Redemption of Persons:
· Leviticus 25:47-49 addresses the redemption of individuals who sold themselves into servitude due to poverty. A relative could redeem them, or they could redeem themselves if they acquired the means. This provision ensured that Israelites would not remain in perpetual bondage. "After he is sold, he retains the right of redemption. One of his brothers may redeem him" (Leviticus 25:48).

3. The Role of the Kinsman-Redeemer:
· The Book of Ruth provides a narrative example of the kinsman-redeemer through Boaz, who redeems the land and marries Ruth, thereby preserving the family line of Elimelech. This act of redemption is a powerful illustration of loyalty, duty, and divine providence.

New Testament Fulfillment

The Old Testament laws of redemption find their ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The concept of redemption is expanded from the physical to the spiritual realm, emphasizing deliverance from sin and death.

1. Spiritual Redemption:
· Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate Redeemer who pays the price for humanity's sin. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, believers are redeemed from the bondage of sin. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7).

2. The Price of Redemption:
· The New Testament emphasizes that redemption comes at a great cost, the precious blood of Christ. This is a fulfillment of the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, where the shedding of blood was necessary for atonement. "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed... but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" (1 Peter 1:18-19).

3. Adoption and Inheritance:
· Redemption in Christ also includes adoption into God's family and the promise of an eternal inheritance. Believers are no longer slaves to sin but are made heirs with Christ. "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son... to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons" (Galatians 4:4-5).

Conclusion

The biblical concept of redemption, whether of persons or property, serves as a profound illustration of God's justice, mercy, and grace. It underscores the importance of restoration and the lengths to which God goes to reclaim what is His. Through the laws given to Israel and the redemptive work of Christ, the Bible presents a cohesive narrative of redemption that spans both the physical and spiritual realms.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 25:25-34
If your brother be waxen poor, and has sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.
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Leviticus 27:2-13,14-33
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by your estimation.
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Ruth 4:3-10
And he said to the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, sells a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:
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Library

Of the Persons by Whom, and the Uses for Which, Ecclesiastical ...
... II. Of the persons by whom, and the uses for which ... The property, moreover, in the
possession of the several ... of the faithful, and they are redemption moneys for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/ii of the persons by.htm

Grecian Literature, and the Roman Empire.
... The rights of persons and property were well protected ... and superstition united in
the same persons, according to ... age, and shows the absolute need of redemption. ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 12 grecian literature and.htm

On the Incarnation and Redemption
... Now I am his property, his slave; I shall never ... the power of His Church"to purchase
our redemption from sin ... just as you believe there are three Persons in one ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 7 on the incarnation.htm

The Anabaptists and Mennonites.
... IV.). They hold to conditional election and universal redemption. ... of the Moravian
Anabaptists forbade the Lord's Supper to persons having property.--Ed ...
/.../ 104 the anabaptists and.htm

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
... what was the real object of his mission, the spiritual redemption of the ... at the
instigation of its leaders, to commit violence upon persons and property. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xix paul and silas.htm

The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in ...
... it till the subject of redemption is considered ... essence, and others confounding the
distinction of Persons. ... the Father differs in some special property from the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 the unity of.htm

A New Order of Priests and Levites
... Now, the priests or Levites were persons set apart to be God's peculiar property. ...
his own by election, as he chose them"his own by redemption, as he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/a new order of priests.htm

On Grieving the Holy Spirit
... There are many persons who, in the main of their lives ... of our bodies." And to this
day of redemption we are ... By receiving him as a mark of God's property; as a ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 138 on grieving the.htm

The Book of Humanity
... against those who would put property interests above ... end toward which the scriptural
redemption and glorification ... union so close that the persons thus related ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter iii the book of.htm

God's People in the Furnace
... expect it you will find election, redemption, justification, effectual ... How many persons
there are who suppose that ... a child of God loses his property; but we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/gods people in the furnace.htm