Topical Bible: Redemption: Old Testament Saints Partakers of

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Redemption, a central theme in the biblical narrative, is the divine act of delivering individuals or groups from sin, bondage, or danger, often through a sacrificial means. In the Old Testament, the concept of redemption is intricately woven into the lives and experiences of the saints, who, though living before the advent of Christ, were partakers of God's redemptive plan.

1. The Nature of Redemption in the Old Testament

The Hebrew word for redemption, "ga'al," signifies the act of a kinsman-redeemer who rescues or buys back a relative or their property. This concept is vividly illustrated in the laws concerning the redemption of property and persons (Leviticus 25:25-55). The role of the kinsman-redeemer is a foreshadowing of the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of all humanity.

2. Redemption through Sacrificial System

The sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law was a means by which the Israelites could experience temporary atonement and redemption from sin. The shedding of blood was necessary for the forgiveness of sins, as stated in Leviticus 17:11: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul." These sacrifices pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God.

3. Examples of Redemption in the Lives of Old Testament Saints

· Abraham: Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6), and he experienced redemption through God's covenant promises. His willingness to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22) prefigures the redemptive sacrifice of Christ, with God providing a ram as a substitute.

· Moses: Moses was a redeemer figure for the Israelites, leading them out of Egyptian bondage. The Passover event, where the blood of the lamb spared the Israelites from the angel of death (Exodus 12), is a profound symbol of redemption.

· Ruth and Boaz: The account of Ruth and Boaz is a beautiful illustration of redemption. Boaz, as a kinsman-redeemer, marries Ruth, thereby redeeming her and preserving the lineage that would lead to King David and ultimately to Christ (Ruth 4:9-10).

· David: King David, despite his sins, experienced God's redemptive grace. In Psalm 51, David cries out for mercy and cleansing, acknowledging that God desires a contrite heart over sacrifices (Psalm 51:16-17).

4. Prophetic Anticipation of Redemption

The prophets spoke of a future, ultimate redemption. Isaiah prophesied about the Suffering Servant who would bear the sins of many (Isaiah 53:5-6). Jeremiah and Ezekiel foretold a new covenant where God would write His law on the hearts of His people (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:26-27).

5. Faith and Redemption

Old Testament saints were justified by faith, looking forward to the redemption that would be fully realized in Christ. Hebrews 11 highlights the faith of these saints, who "were longing for a better country—a heavenly one" (Hebrews 11:16).

In summary, while the full revelation of redemption is found in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, Old Testament saints were indeed partakers of God's redemptive plan. Their lives and experiences, marked by faith and obedience, were shadows of the greater redemption to come.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 9:15
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Church Before and after Christ.
... bearers of the revelation were partakers of His ... first, of the preparation of redemption
for the ... the sanctification and consolation of the Old Testament saints. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xi the church before and.htm

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... is the earnest of our inheritance unto the redemption of the ... to make many of the
saints partakers of his ... belonged to believers under the Old Testament, just as ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm

Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath ...
... finish the work of man's redemption; and, alluding ... was prefigured and fore-prophesied
under the Old Testament. ... in all the churches of the saints: therefore it ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the true manner.htm

Articles of Religion of the Reformed Episcopal Church in America. ...
... both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life ... be heard, which feign that the
old Fathers did ... the completeness and sufficiency of the redemption in Christ ...
/.../articles of religion of the.htm

The Secret of Immortal Youth
... identical with the object of the New Testament faith, which ... that died and that lives
for my redemption and salvation ... old message for each of you, young or old. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the secret of immortal youth.htm

The Difference Between the Two Testaments.
... to assert was, that all the saints mentioned in ... of the superiority of the New over
the Old Testament. ... having completed the whole work of redemption in all its ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 the difference between.htm

Because of his Importunity
... we walk with and are made partakers of His ... the wonderful instances we have of it
in the Old Testament saints. ... shall not we, who have a redemption and promises ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter iv because of his.htm

Entire Sanctification Obtainable.
... future, the complete glorification of the saints in body ... By the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus, therefore ... In the Old Testament it is called sin and iniquity. ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ii entire sanctification obtainable.htm

Articles of Religion.
... New; for both in the Old and New Testament, everlasting life ... to be heard, which feign,
that the old fathers did ... it is a Sacrament of our redemption by Christ's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/articles of religion.htm

Zwingli's Distinctive Doctrines.
... only foresaw, but foreordained the fall, together with the redemption, that is ... as
the Jews, and that, together with the saints of the Old Testament from the ...
/.../ 52 zwinglis distinctive doctrines.htm