Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 25:47-55. Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2025&version=NASB1995
I quote only the following verses.
“‘Now if the means of a stranger or of a sojourner with you becomes sufficient, and a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to him as to sell himself to a stranger who is sojourning with you, or to the descendants of a stranger’s family, then he shall have redemption right after he has been sold. One of his brothers may redeem him, or his uncle, or his uncle’s son, may redeem him, or one of his blood relatives from his family may redeem him; or if he prospers, he may redeem himself. He then with his purchaser shall calculate from the year when he sold himself to him up to the year of jubilee; and the price of his sale shall correspond to the number of years. It is like the days of a hired man that he shall be with him. If there are still many years, he shall refund part of his purchase price in proportion to them for his own redemption; and if few years remain until the year of jubilee, he shall so calculate with him. In proportion to his years he is to refund the amount for his redemption.” Leviticus 25:47-52.
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Two principles of redemption in today’s Scripture helps us understand Christ’s redemption of us.
First, redemption can only be done by a blood relative. “… One of his brothers may redeem him, or his uncle, or his uncle’s son, may redeem him, or one of his blood relatives from his family may redeem him; …” Verses 48-49.
Accordingly, Christ partook of the flesh and blood of those He intended to redeem.
“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” Hebrews 2:14-17.
Second, the price of redemption corresponded to the number of years of slavery that remained to be served until the jubilee (which occurred every 50 years) in which everyone would be freed without payment in any event. “He then with his purchaser shall calculate from the year when he sold himself to him up to the year of jubilee; and the price of his sale shall correspond to the number of years.” Verse 50. For example, if the slave sold himself for $50,000 immediately after the jubilee, and one year later his uncle wanted to redeem him, the purchase price would be $49,000 because 49 years of slavery remained to be served. But, if his uncle wanted to redeem him after 49 years of slavery service, and only one year remained of slavery service before the jubilee, then the purchase price would be only $1,000. As a side note, we see justice in this principle of redemption.
Accordingly, through His blood, Christ paid the full price for the number of years that remained to be served of the persons whom He redeemed. But, unlike the redemption in today’s Scripture, there was no backstop of jubilee to limit the price for redemption. The following Scripture uses figurative language to let us know it is a long, long time that really is endless.
“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.” Matthew 18:23-27. The Footnote to my Bible Gateway New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) version states: “A talent was worth more than fifteen years’ wages of a laborer”. Thus, it would take 150,000 years of labor for the slave to free himself which the slave obviously could not do.
Q. 15. What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?
A. For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous; and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God. Heidelberg Catechism.
Hopefully, these Scriptures will make us appreciate more Christ’s redemption of us: “knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18-19.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 