Leviticus just as any other book in the Bible has its significance, though unappealing to many. The various instructions given to God’s people through Moses, prior to their stay in their promised land were guidelines for holy living as God told them: ‘Be holy, because I, the LORD, your God, am holy’ (Lev.19:2). God expected His people to keep His standards that their lives might tell they are truly God’s children. The same applies to us today.

God gave them laws in such a way that the dignity of the individual was preserved. The poor were not to be mistreated but cared for; if they were unfortunate to become servants, they were not to be treated as slaves. God’s people were to show their fear of God by not treating them harshly (Lev 25:43). God’s laws were protective.

If His people became poor and went into debt, if they sold their property or themselves as servants for lack of livelihood, God made provision for the right of redemption! A close relative – a goel (Hebrew word for redeemer) could redeem them and give them back their property or status in the society.

*A careful study of the goel in the Old Testament reveals Christ our goel (Redeemer) in the New Testament. A goel must be
 

• A blood relative of the person he redeems

• Be willing to pay the price of redemption

• Be willing to redeem

• Be free (without any liabilities) to redeem

See how Jesus fulfills all these qualities:

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• He is our close relative, One who came and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Hebrews 2:14 says: Since we, God’s children, are human beings—made of flesh and blood—he became flesh and blood too by being born in human form; for only as a human being could he die and in dying break the power of the devil who had the power of death.
   

• He was willing to pay the price for our redemption- His own blood: For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18-19)
   

• He was willing to redeem us with His own life: “...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
   

• He was free from the curse of sin, without any sin in Himself so that He could redeem us:  You know that Christ came to take away our sins. There is no sin in Him. (1John 3:5) 2 Cor.5:21

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The kinsman redeemer is an illustration of Christ who assumed our nature that He might be our kinsman, redeeming our inheritance which we by sin had forfeited. He made a settlement for all who become allied with Him by faith. Let us make Him our Lord, who will control our lives.

 

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I understand you, as my Kinsman Redeemer.

Accept your invitation to be redeemed through your blood.

I am a sinner. Please forgive my sins and redeem me.

In Jesus name

Amen.