Redeemer

 

The Hebrew word for redeemer is gaal or goel.    Strong’s meaning (H-1350) is, “to be the next of kin, to buy back a relative’s property, marry a relative’s widow, deliver, ransom and purchase.”

Then they remembered and sought earnestly for God, then they remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer.    Psalm 78:34-35

Job makes an amazing statement in the middle of his anguish and loss.  Job declares the coming Redeemer and not only that He will deliver mankind but He will bring a physical resurrection.  Job was a righteous man that God allowed satan to inflict.  He suffered, he was humiliated, lost everything he had and eventually God brought complete restoration.

“Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever!  For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another, how my heart yearns within me!” 

Job 19:23-27

Another interesting encounter with this word gaal is in the book of Ruth.  Ruth (a Gentile) and Naomi (an Israelite) both widowed return to Israel to seek Naomi’s relatives to assure their survival.  Boaz is a close relative, gaal and they find provision in his fields.  Ruth finds favor in Boaz’s eyes.  One late evening Naomi instructs Ruth to seek Boaz at the threshing floor in hopes that he will redeem her. Redeeming her would mean that Boaz, being a close relative would take Ruth as his wife.  Ruth lies down at the sleeping man’s feet and waits.  When Boaz awakes to find her there, she states,

 “I am Ruth, you maidservant.  Take your maidservant under your wing for you are a close relative. (gaal)” Ruth 3:11

Boaz marries Ruth, the widow of his relative.  They had a son, and his name was Obed.  Obed was part of the linage of Yeshua/Jesus.  Naomi was redeemed because now she had an heir. Ruth was a Moabite, a gentile who is incorporated into the linage of Yeshua.  In this relationship we see the foreshadowing of Yeshua in the actions of Boaz.  Boaz takes the role of kinsman, redeemer for these women.  When we come to Yeshua’s feet and ask Him to cover us; He covers us with His righteous blood and becomes a husband to us.  We are His bride.

Thus, says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts; I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God.    Isaiah 44:6

For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.  Isaiah 54:5

Yeshua was a sinless, righteous man who God allowed Satan to inflict.  He suffered, He was humiliated, lost everything and everyone, died, was resurrected and restored mankind.  Yeshua paid the price for all of mankind.  He purchased our lives with His.  He acted as our close relative and betrothed Himself to His bride when no one else would have her.  He covered her sin with His righteousness. 

Do we yearn for our Redeemer as Job?  Can we lie at the feet of our Redeemer and wait for Him to gaze at us?  Are we willing to be betrothed to Him as His bride?  What worship stirs in our hearts as we understand the depth of the love our God as we hear His love story told over and over throughout His Word?

Excerpt: Words of Love: The Language of Worship  ,June Schuldt