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Redemption through the Chosen Nation of Israel

The concept of redemption through the chosen nation of Israel is deeply rooted in biblical texts, portraying Israel as a people uniquely selected by God for a redemptive purpose [1, 2, 3]. The Hebrew Bible frequently describes God's act of "redeeming" Israel, particularly from their bondage in Egypt [1, 2, 3]. This redemption is often characterized as God making a name for himself through great and awesome wonders [1, 2].

The term "redemption" generally signifies the purchase back of something lost, often through the payment of a ransom [6]. In the context of Israel, this redemption is attributed to God's initiative and power [5]. For instance, God is depicted as leading forth the people he redeemed from servitude in Egypt, an act ascribed to his mercy and compassion [13]. The Exodus from Egypt is a foundational narrative illustrating God's redemptive work for Israel, marked by a "strong hand, and with a stretched out arm" [10]. This event established Israel as God's people, distinct from other nations [13].

Israel's identity as a chosen people is emphasized throughout scripture. They are referred to by various names, including Hebrews, Israelites, the seed of Abraham, and the children of Jacob [4]. God chose and loved them, separating them from all other nations [4]. This covenant relationship was symbolized by circumcision [4]. The prophet Hosea reflects on God's love for Israel from its early days, noting that despite their ingratitude and unfaithfulness, God's unchangeable faithfulness would lead him to gather those rescued from among the nations after chastening them [12].

Rabbinic tradition, as seen in Rashi's commentary, anticipates a future, complete redemption for Israel [11]. This future redemption is also linked to the "Day" belonging to God [14]. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of a restoration of Israel, where God will bring them from the lands of their dispersion, gathering them from the ends of the earth [9]. This gathering is depicted as a return with weeping and supplication, led by God to streams of water [9].

In Christian interpretation, the concept of Israel's redemption takes on additional layers. While acknowledging the historical redemption of Israel, some interpretations view the "twelve tribes of Israel" in Revelation as representing the redeemed people of God more broadly [8]. This perspective suggests that God's promise to bless all families of the earth through Abraham is fully realized in Jesus [8]. The apostle Paul, for example, speaks of Christ as the one who effects redemption, freeing believers from the bondage and curse of the law, the power of sin, and all iniquity [5]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, applies the Exodus redemption to a "mystical Israel of God," redeemed by Christ from the hands of enemies stronger than them [10]. He also notes that the Lord will redeem the "whole Israel, or elect of God," from all their iniquities [15].

The sealing of God's servants, mentioned in Revelation, is understood by some as God securing his people from harm before judgment, with the tribes of Israel being distinctly specified [7]. This suggests a continued significance for the nation of Israel in eschatological events. However, the representation of the twelve tribes in Revelation is also interpreted as encompassing the broader community of God's redeemed, with the twelve apostles forming the foundation of this community [8].

Sources

  1. 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.”
  2. 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”
  3. Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 21:8 (LEB) — Forgive your people, Israel, whom you redeemed, Yahweh, and do not ⌞allow⌟ the guilt of innocent blood in the midst of your people Israel, and let them be forgiven with regard to blood.’”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Jews, The — Descended from Abraham -- Isa 51:2; Joh 8:39. Divided into twelve tribes -- Ge 35:22; 49:28. Called Hebrews. -- Ge 14:13; 40:15; 2Co 11:22. Israelites. -- Ex 9:7; Jos 3:17. Seed of Abraham. -- Ps 105:6; Isa 41:8. Seed of Jacob. -- Jer 33:26. Seed of Israel. -- 1Ch 16:13. Children of Jacob. -- 1Ch 16:13. Children of Israel. -- Ge 50:25; Isa 27:12. Jeshurun. -- De 32:15. Chosen and loved by God -- De 7:6,7. Circumcised in token of their covenant relation -- Ge 17:10,11; Ac 7:8. Separated from all other nations -- Ex 33:16; Le 20:24; 1Ki 8:53. Described as A”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Redemption — Defined -- 1Co 6:20; 7:23. Is of God -- Isa 44:21-23; 43:1; Lu 1:68. Is by Christ -- Mt 20:28; Ga 3:13. Is by the blood of Christ -- Ac 20:28; Heb 9:12; 1Pe 1:19; Re 5:9. Christ sent to effect -- Ga 4:4,5. Christ is made, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Is from The bondage of the law. -- Ga 4:5. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The power of sin. -- Ro 6:18,22. The power of the grave. -- Ps 49:15. All troubles. -- Ps 25:22. All iniquity. -- Ps 130:8; Tit 2:14. All evil. -- Ge 48:16. The present evil world. -- Ga 1:4. Vain conversation. -- 1Pe 1:18. Enemies. -- Ps 106”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
  7. 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”
  8. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:12: 21:12-14 In this vision, the twelve tribes of Israel represent the redeemed people of God (see 7:4-8; see also Rom 9:6-7). The foundation for this community of God’s redeemed is the twelve apostles of the Lamb. In Jesus, God’s promise to bless all of the families of the earth through Abraham has been fully realized (Gen 12:3).”
  9. Jeremiah (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Jeremiah 31:7: The restoration of Israel. - Jer 31:7. "For thus saith Jahveh: Shout for joy over Jacob, and cry out over the head of the nations! Make known, praise, and say, I Jahveh, save Thy people, the remnant of Israel! Jer 31:8. Behold, I will bring them out of the land of the north, and will gather them from the sides of the earth. Among them are the blind and lame, the woman with child and she that hath born, together; a great company shall they return hither. Jer 31:9. With weeping shall they come, and with supplications will I lead them: I will bring them to strea”
  10. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 136:12: With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm,.... Exerting his power in a very open manner, and continuing it till he had effected the work; bringing his people out of Egypt, which is always ascribed to his great strength and mighty power, Exo 13:3. The redemption of the mystical Israel of God is by a mighty Redeemer, the Lord of hosts; who has redeemed them out of the hands of their enemies, that were stronger than they, and too strong for them: the conversion of them is by the power of the grace of God, even by the exceeding greatness of his power, and yet bot”
  11. Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Isaiah 14:1: and again choose Israel in the future, He shall redeem them with a complete redemption.”
  12. Hosea (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Hosea 11 (introduction): The prophet goes back a third time (cf. Hos 10:1; Hos 9:10) to the early times of Israel, and shows how the people had repaid the Lord, for all the proofs of His love, with nothing but ingratitude and unfaithfulness; so that it would have merited utter destruction from off the earth, if God should not restrain His wrath for the sake of His unchangeable faithfulness, in order that, after severely chastening, He might gather together once more those that were rescued from among the heathen. Hos 11:1. "When Israel was young, then I loved him, and I cal”
  13. Exodus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Exodus 15:13: Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed,.... From their servitude and bondage in Egypt; and so they were the Lord's people, peculiar to him, and distinct from all others: those he led forth, as out of Egypt, so through the Red sea onward towards Canaan's land; which was owing to his mercy, pity, and compassion to them in their affliction and distress: thus the spiritual Israel are a people redeemed by Christ from the bondage of sin, Satan, and the law, and are his property, special and peculiar to him, and distinguished from all others: t”
  14. Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Psalms 74:16: Day is Yours The redemption of Israel.”
  15. 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”
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