For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth.
Job 19:25*
Many ideas that were readily understood centuries ago are almost entirely lost on modern man. Redemption cannot really be understood without a knowledge of slavery. In Christ’s day, with over 75% of the Roman Empire being slaves, the principle was very clear.
A slave was the possession of another. He was born without rights, power, property, or independence. He would die in that same state, and if he had children, the only inheritance he could pass onto them would be his hopelessness.
The only way out of slavery was redemption. A freeman with the cash could purchase the body and soul of a man and then release him as if the money were no big deal. This almost never happened, since the very rich are rarely concerned about those who are not their equals.
Satan was the owner, and mankind was his slave. Christ was the rich man, and since the devil had no use for the monetary units of Earth, the price was life for life (Exodus 21:23). We know that Man was purchased with the blood of the Redeemer (1 Peter 1:19), but why He would even want to do such a thing will be a mystery forever.
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.
– Fanny Crosby (1820- 1915)
*See also Psalm 19:14; Isaiah 41:14, 60:16; plus 14 other references
July 17
