God's Plan of Redemption through the Nation of Israel

God's plan of redemption is intricately linked with the nation of Israel, a people whom God "went out to redeem as a people for Himself" ^{[2, 3, 5]}. The very name "Israel" means "who prevails with God" ^[6], and the concept of redemption is embedded in biblical names such as Iphedeiah, meaning "redemption of the Lord," and Geuel, meaning "God's redemption" ^{[7, 8]}. This divine initiative to redeem Israel is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament and extends into the New Testament understanding of salvation.

The Old Testament frequently portrays God's redemptive acts toward Israel, beginning with their deliverance from Egypt. This foundational act of redemption established Israel as God's chosen people and served as a model for future redemptions ^[15]. For instance, 1 Chronicles 17:21 asks, "What one nation in the earth is like your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, to make you a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeem out of Egypt?" ^[5]. Similarly, 2 Samuel 7:23 speaks of God redeeming Israel from Egypt to make a name for Himself ^[3].

Even when Israel faced punishment for disobedience, such as exile, God's ultimate objective remained their restoration and redemption. The Tyndale House commentary on Leviticus 26:14 notes that God's punishments were designed to "change behavior and restore relationship," giving Israel opportunities to repent ^[9]. Prophetic books like Ezekiel emphasize God's commitment to restoring Israel. Ezekiel 36:10 states, "I will multiply the people upon you—the house of Israel in its entirety. The cities will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt" ^[4]. The return from exile in Babylon was assured by the Lord, modeled on the earlier redemption from Egypt but even greater ^[15]. God promised to bring His people home from exile, pour out His Spirit upon them, and transform them to prevent future rebellion, assuring His future favor ^{[14, 16]}.

The concept of redemption for Israel also encompasses a spiritual transformation. Deuteronomy 30:6 speaks of God initiating a work to "change your heart," leading to Israel's regeneration and identifying them as the Lord's true people ^[10]. Jeremiah 50:33-34 highlights God's strength and ability to redeem His people from suffering, defending them and giving them rest ^[11]. John Gill, commenting on Psalm 130:7, notes that the Lord "shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities," referring to the "whole Israel, or elect of God," from all their sins ^[13]. This redemption, though future when the psalm was written, was certain due to God's promise and Christ's agreement ^[13].

The New Testament continues this theme, with Luke 1:68 proclaiming, "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He visited and worked redemption for His people" ^[1]. This verse, part of Zechariah's prophecy, points to the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through the coming of Jesus. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Revelation 7:3 suggests that at the "eve of the Lord's coming," Israel will be "re-embodied as a nation," indicating a future aspect of God's redemptive plan for the nation ^[12]. God's love ensures that He will not execute final judgment until His people are secured from harm ^[12].

Sources

Luke “Luke 1:68 (LITV) — Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He visited and worked redemption for His people.”
I Chronicles “I Chronicles 17:21 (BSB) — And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself? You made a name for Yourself through great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed from Egypt.”
II Samuel “II Samuel 7:23 (BSB) — And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself and to make a name for Himself? You performed great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before Your people, whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt.”
Ezekiel “Ezekiel 36:10 (BSB) — I will multiply the people upon you—the house of Israel in its entirety. The cities will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.”
1 Chronicles “What one nation in the earth is like your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, to make you a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeem out of Egypt? -- 1 Chronicles 17:21”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Israel — who prevails with God”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Iphedeiah — redemption of the Lord”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Geuel — God's redemption”
Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 26:14: 26:14-39 The objective of God’s punishment of his people is to change behavior and restore relationship. God responds to his disobedient people as a perfectly righteous and loving parent would to a child. The punishments designed to curb rebellious behavior gradually increase, giving Israel the opportunity to repent at any time (26:18-28). Even when Israel was punished with exile from the land in 722 and 586 BC, God was working to restore his people (see, e.g., Isa 40–66; Jer 29:10; Amos 9:11-15).”
Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 30:6: 30:6 change your heart: This work of God, initiated by his grace, would result in Israel’s regeneration and identify the nation as the Lord’s true people (see 10:16; Jer 4:4; Rom 4:1-12).”
Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 50:33: 50:33-34 The people of Israel and Judah had suffered greatly. The Lord’s act of redemption would defend them and give them rest again in Israel. God is strong, and he is as able to redeem as he is to punish.”
Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 7:3: Hurt not--by letting loose the destructive winds. till we have sealed the servants of our God--parallel to Mat 24:31, "His angels . . . shall gather together His elect from the four winds." God's love is such, that He cannot do anything in the way of judgment, till His people are secured from hurt (Gen 19:22). Israel, at the eve of the Lord's coming, shall be found re-embodied as a nation; for its tribes are distinctly specified (Joseph, however, being substituted for Dan; whether because Antichrist is to come from Dan, or because Dan is to be Ant”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 130:7: And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. The Lord shall do it; in whom Israel is encouraged to hope; with whom grace and redemption were; or who was appointed to be the Redeemer. Redemption was then future, when these words were said, but certain, by the promise of God and agreement of Christ; and would be of the whole Israel, or elect of God; and that from "all" their iniquities, original and actual; sins, secret and open, of heart, lip, and life: and which is no small encouragement for Israel to hope in the Lord, for the sake of which this is added; as w”
Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 39:25: 39:25-29 God would also demonstrate his glory through his people’s return home from exile in the lands of their enemies. Once God had exhausted his wrath upon them for their sins, he would bring them home again and leave none of them behind. He would pour out his Spirit upon the people of Israel, transforming them in order to prevent a recurrence of their former situation. He would never again turn his face from them. His future favor on his people was assured (cp. Rom 8:31-39).”
Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 43:14: 43:14-21 The Lord assured Israel of its coming redemption from Babylon; the redemption would be modeled on Israel’s past redemption from Egypt and would be greater in some ways (43:18).”
Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 39:25: 39:25-29 God would also demonstrate his glory through his people’s return home from exile in the lands of their enemies. Once God had exhausted his wrath upon them for their sins, he would bring them home again and leave none of them behind. He would pour out his Spirit upon the people of Israel, transforming them in order to prevent a recurrence of their former situation. He would never again turn his face from them. His future favor on his people was assured (cp. Rom 8:31-39).”

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