Redeemed from Broken to Whole
Christ’s blood or life, which he surrendered for them, is the “ransom” by which the deliverance of his people from the servitude of sin and from its penal consequences is secured. It is the plain doctrine of Scripture that “Christ saves us neither by the mere exercise of power, nor by his doctrine, nor by his example, nor by the moral influence which he exerted, nor by any subjective influence on his people, whether natural or mystical, but as a satisfaction to divine justice, as an expiation for sin, and as a ransom from the curse and authority of the law, thus reconciling us to God by making it consistent with his perfection to exercise mercy toward sinners” (Hodge’s Systematic Theology).
REDEMPTION The release of people, animals, or property from bondage through the payment of a price.
Old Testament Origins
The two Hebrew root words associated with redemption are:
1. גָּאַל (ga'al), meaning “redeem” or “act as a kinsman-redeemer”
2. פָּדָה (padah), meaning “ransom” or “redeem”
Legal Redemption of Property and Slaves
“Keep asilence before Me, O coastlands,
And let the people renew their strength!
Let them come near, then let them speak;
Let us bcome near together for judgment.
2 “Who raised up one cfrom the east?
Who in righteousness called him to His feet?
Who dgave the nations before him,
And made him rule over kings?
Who gave them as the dust to his sword,
As driven stubble to his bow?
3 Who pursued them, and passed 1safely
By the way that he had not gone with his feet?
4 eWho has performed and done it,
Calling the generations from the beginning?
‘I, the LORD, am fthe first;
And with the last I am gHe.’ ”
5 The coastlands saw it and feared,
The ends of the earth were afraid;
They drew near and came.
6 hEveryone helped his neighbor,