More on Go’el – Jesus as our Kinsman Redeemer – Inheritance!

I mentioned in my message (click here to listen) in College Worship Hour this past Sunday that I would be posting more information about how Jesus is pictured as our Go’el or Kinsman-Redeemer in a few more places in the New Testament. Here is the first of 3 posts on that subject.

First a little background, on Sunday Renee’ gave us a quick overview of the book of Ruth, which I think is the best succinct picture of a kinsman-redeemer in the Bible. Here’s what we learn about the concept of kinsman-redeemer from the story of Ruth.
1. Boaz is a relative of Naomi – He is a kinsman and thus under the law in Israel, he has the right and responsibility to “redeem” Naomi.
2. Redeeming Naomi means:

• Boaz will buy back the land that was Elimelech’s (Naomi’s dead husband).
• He will marry Ruth and take both Naomi and Ruth into his household (bet’ ab).
• He will also father a child with Ruth so that Mahlon (Ruth’s dead husband/Elimelech’s son) will have an heir.

3. Redeeming Naomi is costly. In chapter 4 of Ruth we learn that there is a closer relative who actually has the right of redemption prior to Boaz and he tells Boaz to go ahead and redeem Naomi because for him to do so would jeopardize his own inheritance.

In ancient Israel, one of the main reasons for the kinsman-redeemer concept revolved around INHERITANCE.

In the New Testament we are pictured as having been purchased back (redeemed) by Christ (our kinsman – Phil 2:5-8) and so claimed as his inheritance. Acts 20:28 (NASB) is specific on this, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Here are a few other passages that refer to this idea: Revelation 5:9, Revelation 14:3-4, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23, 2 Peter 2:1.

In Ephesians 1:18 we are specifically referred to as Christ’s inheritance. Christ has made us His inheritance by purchasing us with His blood. Now here’s where the picture gets really beautiful. In the New Testament we are also pictured as having an inheritance:

Acts 20:32 (NASB) “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Ephesians 1:11 (NASB) “also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,”

Colossians 1:12 (NASB) “giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”

Also, see Acts 26:14-18, Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:24, Hebrews 9:15, 1 Peter 1:4.

Christ came as our kinsman-redeemer to “buy us back” (redeem) us! He has provided for us and given us an inheritance. He has made us His inheritance and we are given Christ for our inheritance!

What do you think of this idea? Are there other verses I’ve missed related to Christ purchasing us?

Keep Seeking Jesus,

Matt