Understanding Redemption: Insights from the Bible

I was recently talking to a non-native English speaker about the word redemption and realized just how difficult this word is to understand. Not only is the definition complicated, but it is a word that is rarely used outside religious conversations. The Oxford Languages dictionary has two definitions: (1) the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil, and (2) the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt. When we talk about redemption in the Bible, these two definitions are often used interchangeably or even are combined. Each act of redemption tends to look a little different from the next.

Jesus the Redeemer

When we say that Jesus has redeemed us from our sins and the punishment of death, we are clearly the first definition of the word redemption. Any sin in our life, no matter how big or small, deserves the death penalty.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (WEB)

Fortunately, we have a redeemer in the person of Jesus. Even though we did not deserve rescue, he gladly gave it to us, dying on the cross in our place! Of course, even once the words are understood, this concept is still quite confusing. Why is it okay for a death penalty for one to substitute for the other? Regardless of the answer to this question, the good news for us is that God accepts this solution and we can be saved through forgiveness.

Boaz the Redeemer

When looking at the second definition of redemption, the story of Ruth and Boaz comes to mind. In the fourth chapter of Ruth, Boaz acts as Ruth and Naomi’s kinsman-redeemer, giving Ruth and Naomi a safe place in society and restoring Ruth’s husband’s land to Ruth and her descendants. To ensure Ruth and Naomi’s safety and security, Boaz chose to marry Ruth. To ensure that the land would be passed down to Ruth’s children, he invoked the right to buy back her dead husband’s land. Together, these fulfilled the responsibility of redemption through a kinsman-redeemer.

Ruth 4:14-15 (WEB) - A Memory Verse — **Read:** Ruth 4:14-15 – A Memory Verse with Reflection Questions

This story is much easier to understand. A financial payment was needed to regain the land, a husband was needed for protection, and children were needed to ensure future generations would stay on the land. Boaz was able to provide all of these things and gladly did so.

God the Redeemer

The story of Joseph in Genesis has two different stories of redemption. The first is the story of how God redeems Joseph from an act of injustice, or evil. It is easy to see the need to be redeemed from our own sin and problems, but it is much harder to understand our need for a redeemer when our situation is due to the sins of another. In this case, Joseph’s brothers were very jealous and decided to sell Joseph into slavery.

Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?Come, and let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not let our hand be on him; for he is our brother, our flesh.” His brothers listened to him.
Genesis 37:26-27 (WEB)

This was the first step of God’s redemption and Joseph was protected from being flat out murdered. From there, Joseph’s troubles seem to oscillate between not terrible and pretty bad, but it should be observed that God was maneuvering Joseph into just the right place to finish his redemption. First, Joseph gets a favored and trusted position as a slave in the house of Potiphar, but then Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of attempted rape and Joseph gets thrown into jail. While in jail, he received the favor of the prison warden, who give Joseph significant responsibility. Joseph’s life is about as good as it can be for living in a jail cell. While going about his duties, he ends up caring for two men who were servants of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. God gives these men vivid dreams of their future, which Joseph successfully interprets. As predicted, one of these men dies and the other survives. After a surprisingly long amount of time, the second eventually remembers Joseph and uses the experience to have Pharaoh bring Joseph into the palace to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. You shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.”
Genesis 41:39-40 (WEB)

The result of this action fulfills God’s redemption of Joseph! He is placed into a position of power and authority and is given power over all of those who caused problems for him in the past.

Joseph the Redeemer

Most notably, Joseph’s wayward brothers end up being desperate for food in the midst of a famine and came to Egypt for help. While Joseph hides his identity from them and could have easily taken his revenge and refused to help, this is not what he did, but this isn’t to say that he didn’t think about it. Instead, he devises an elaborate test to see if his brothers have changed their ways, or if they still plot evil against those of whom they are envious. As it turns out, Judah offers to sacrifice himself as a slave, rather than repeat history.

Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, my lord’s slave; and let the boy go up with his brothers. For how will I go up to my father, if the boy isn’t with me?—lest I see the evil that will come on my father.”
Genesis 44:33-34 (WEB)

At this point Joseph reveals himself as their brother, forgives them, and restores them to a position of wealth and prosperity.

Just like Joseph didn’t need to save his brothers from famine and punishment for their actions, God does not need to rescue us from our sin. Fortunately, it is God’s good pleasure to give us forgiveness. The next time I am in a position of authority and am tempted to let someone suffer the punishment that they deserve, I need to reflect on these stories and ask myself, “What would Jesus do?”

Reflection Questions

What does the word redemption mean to you?
Is there a time in your life that you have been redeemed from a particular situation?
Is there a time in your life that you have offered redemption to another person?
Do you believe that Jesus has redeemed you? What are your reasons?