Text: Psalm 107:1-2 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.
You and I had been held captive to sin, “but God through Christ” has purchased our pardon and set us at liberty. When a person has this life changing experience, he or she would want to cry out “I’ve been redeemed, bought with a price – Jesus has changed my whole life”!
The word redeemed comes from the Hebrew word padah’, meaning to sever [cut off; cut apart; separate]; ransom; to release; preserve; to deliver; to rescue.
How many know we have been delivered from sin and death? Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Padah’ indicates that some intervening or substitutionary action has brought about a release from an undesirable condition. This means or implies that a payment of some sort had to be offered, but it wasn’t paid by money. The redemption price was paid by blood! 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
So you see, the entire service, therefore, in the tabernacle revolves around God’s demand for the blood of a substitute.
But because God is holy, sin must be taken care of before reconciliation can be effective. It took the infinite price of the blood of the Son of God to take it away.
God’s love yearned for and demanded the reconciliation of fallen man. After man had sinned, God’s love sought and demanded his salvation! Any man could not pay. If just any man had shed his blood, it would’ve meant eternal separation from God. But love demanded man’s restoration. It would have taken man an eternity to pay for his own individual sin without his being able to pay for anyone besides himself. Angels could not do it for God demanded that “man” pay for “man’s” sin. So God took the responsibility upon Himself. He (God) became man and took man’s place! Because He was also infinite God, He could pay the infinite price for sin!!
In the fullness of time, God became “man” in the person of Jesus the Christ! Upon Him was placed man’s guilt and sin,and He bore it to Calvary (kran-ee’-on) the skull or head, or Golgatha. It was there that He suffered the agony of hell and paid the penalty of death.
Because He was a “man”, He could substitute for man! Because He was God, He could bear the infinite penalty for sin!
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
So according to the Bible, life is in the blood. Since the wages of sin is death, the only thing which can abolish death is life! Since life is in the blood, the only price for sin - the only means of restoring spiritual life - is through the shedding of the blood. So that’s what Jesus did - shed His perfect, innocent, sinless and incorruptible blood! Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
We’re redeemed, people of God, and bought with a price! But look now, like everything else, it comes with stipulations, meaning it comes with an agreement, contract or bargain. Salvation is free, but there’s a proposal for redemption. The proposal for redemption means the plan; action; suggestion; or recommendation for redemption. So Christ’s suggestion or recommendation for His delivering us from sin was atoning for a mistake; repurchase, as of something old.
I. The proposal for redemption:
- Request for redemption (Ruth 3:6-9) And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn; and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. Just as Ruth requested for redemption so should we! (John 6:37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (Romans 10:13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (James 4:2) Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
- Reassurance of redemption (Ruth 3:10-18) – After Ruth makes her request she receives some precious assurance from Boaz. He wanted her to know that she could count on him and the redemption he will provide for her.
She was reassured by his promises. His promise to her is that he will do whatever is necessary to see that she is redeemed!!
Notice that he promises to do “ALL” that she needed done!
So it is with “Jesus the Christ”!!! He has done “ALL” that is required to make redemption a reality for everyone who calls upon Him in faith. John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Hebrews 9:12 & Hebrews 10:10-14 both speak of the redemptive price Jesus paid for us. Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 10:10-14 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
His precious shed blood is the price; payment and promise of our redemption. 1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
C. Then the reassurance of redemption was reassured by his provisions: Ruth 3:14-17
And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know
another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. Also he
said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he
measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. And
when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she
told her all that the man had done to her. And she said, These six measures of barley
gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
Again take a look at Ruth. When she leaves the threshing floor the next morning, she leaves loaded down with his provisions.
He places six measures (88 pounds) of barley on her back. When Ruth arrives home (paraphrasing), Naomi asked, “Are you going to be Mrs. Boaz”? Ruth just simply says….”Look at the provisions he has given me, so tell me what you think! Yes mama Naomi, there’s going to be a wedding”!
Same thing with God….He gives us many proofs that we are His and His provisions are ours. Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.
Benefits in the Hebrew means to treat a person well; reward or bestow bountifully with goods! His provisions are both internal and external.
Internally: Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession [your body], unto the praise of his glory. Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Externally: Deuteronomy 28:1-6 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth. We will be blessed in the city, in the field, the fruit of thy body, the fruit of thy ground, the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, the flocks of thy sheep, thy basket, and thy store. We will be blessed when we come in, and when we go out…..
But before Ruth’s redemption can be settled, there are a couple of problems that must be dealt with first.
II. The Problems of Redemption:
- The Problem of Requirements - For a man to fulfill the role of the kinsman redeemer, there were a few requirements that he had to meet.
- Redemption required relationship according to Leviticus 25:25 If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.
The kinsman redeemer had to be a near relative of the person who sold the possessions to redeem what was sold. Boaz fulfilled this requirement: Ruth 2:1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. Ruth 2:20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.
- Redemption required resources. That same passage teaches that the kinsman redeemer had to have the funds to buy back the sold possessions. Boaz fulfilled this requirement. Ruth 2:1 (above).
- Redemption required a resolve. Leviticus 25:25 (above) and Deuteronomy 25:5-10, teaches that the kinsman redeemer had to be willing to buy back the inheritance of his kinsman. Boaz also fulfilled this requirement. Ruth 3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
Look Church!!! Boaz is a prime picture of our Redeemer, The Lord Jesus Christ!!! Our Savior also fulfills all the necessary requirements to qualify as our Redeemer!
Philippians 2:5-8 is proof He has a relationship with us. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Jesus has the proper resources: He liveth to make intercession for us: Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
And, Jesus was willing to pay the price for our redemption: Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
III. The Proceeds of Redemption: After the deal was made and redemption was accomplished, a couple of very important things took place.
- Ruth was elevated – When the people gathered there to see what had happened, they begin to rejoice! They called Ruth “woman” and not “the Moabitess”. They compared her with Leah and Rachel, the wives of Jacob. They elevated her “standing”!!! What about the Christian - the same thing happens in the life of the sinner who comes to Jesus for redemption.
Redemption is a deliverance from the curse of the ground/earth, or that which is carnality or pertains to the flesh. Wherever redemption is, there’s also a resurrection. Where there’s a resurrection, there’s a raising, lifting, or standing up again! Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Jesus was raised from the dead. He overcame death in that body! Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. Therefore, we do not have to physically die! 1 Corinthians 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. Vs 51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump [message of perfection, the fullness of Christ in us right now], for the trumpet shall sound [the voices of the true messengers of God proclaiming the fullness of Christ in us now, not beyond the blue], and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. The “dead” [those who have been sitting on many of these church pews for years waiting for Jesus to come back and get them] are getting up right now because we know that Christ is in us now (the hope of glory), and we are not waiting for Him to come back. He is here in us right now!! Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. John 5:25 The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. Not the “dead” who are in the “graves” in these cemeteries we know of, but the dead in those “graves” walking around on two feet. Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Luke 11:44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
Thank God we are hearing His voice, and the Truth is making those who hear free from the doctrines of the traditions of men which have been preached since I was a little girl, and still are! Those that hear the Truth are able to walk out of the “grave” and walk in the “resurrection power” of Jesus Christ now!! Thank God for Truth and deliverance!!
If you are in Christ, you’re already resurrected! You have already been raised up from the dead! Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. Jesus Himself is the resurrection. It is not an event to come. It is the power of THE CHRIST that dwells in us!!! The word “raised” in Ephesian 2:6 is sunegei’ro, meaning to rouse (from death) in company with; to revivify [refresh, reanimate, bring back, reestablish, restore]! Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins. Even after we got saved, some of us were still dead sitting up in some of these churches. Some still are sitting on death row waiting for Jesus to come and deliver them. But those who have gotten hold of THE CHRIST through the fullness of the gospel have stood up by His resurrection power!! 2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel!!! The “gospel” is good news!
The word resurrection in John 11:25 is anas’tasis, meaning a standing up again or resurrection from death; recovery of spiritual truth! The only thing that can free us is TRUTH! John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.
We must move into that PETER class, who are those that can see THE CHRIST! He didn’t just see the man Jesus, but he saw the CHRIST! And because he did, Jesus gave him the keys to the kingdom! Matthew 16:16-19 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock [this revelation] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Hallelujah!!!
The resurrection is the lifting of the total man: heart, soul, mind, and body!! These are the four (4) quarters of the earth that Jesus said we must love Him with. Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. When we do, the whole man can be made “perfect”! 1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly [holoteles’ – completely; absolutely perfect]; and I pray God your whole [holok’leros – complete in every part; perfectly sound in body; entire] spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless [amemp’tos – faultless; unblameable] unto (not until) the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Unto is from the root word eis, meaning to or into (indicating the point reached or entered) of place, time, or purpose. This scripture will explain the place God wants us (the body of Christ) in, the purpose for it, and the time is now! Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. By the power of the Holy Ghost that dwells in us, the total of Christ can be manifested (that’s the coming; Jesus Christ present) in us right here and right now!!!
Death does not change man and bring him into the resurrection and eternal life, but the “resurrection” (recovery of Truth) delivers man from sin and death and brings him into eternal life! Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Glory to God!!!
So people of God, sons of God, we are transformed from sinners to saints. We are no longer outcasts from God, but now He calls us “sons”. Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 1 John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear [is manifested in us now], we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (reached our destiny). That is, when I see you, I see Him! 1 John 4:17 As he is, so are we in this world. Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith (assurance), and of the knowledge (discernment) of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure (same degree of anointing) of the stature (maturity) of the fulness (completeness) of Christ!
When the people elevated Ruth, Boaz was exalted! They praised him for that which he had done in the life of Ruth. He had done a wonderful thing and the people praised him for it.
Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith, paid the ultimate price for our redemption! Because of this, He is worthy of praise and exaltation!!!
Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
So people of God, “SAY SO”!!! He said, “Let the redeemed of the LORD SAY SO”! Because we have a testimony, SAY SO! Because the world needs to hear what we have to say, so tell them!! Every day we live, every place we go, and to every person we meet, let us have our, “SAY SO”!
Psalm 107:1-2 O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD: FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER. LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO!!!
Evangelist Jackie Burton
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