Redemption through Unexpected Means in Scripture

Redemption, in biblical terms, signifies the act of purchasing back something that was lost through the payment of a ransom ^[1]. The Greek term apolutrosis, appearing nine times in Scripture, consistently carries this meaning of a price paid for release ^[1]. This concept is evident in the Old Testament, where the Hebrew word goel refers to a kinsman-redeemer charged with restoring rights and avenging wrongs, a role uniquely applied to Christ in the New Testament ^[6]. Biblical names like Pedaiah ("redemption of the Lord"), Geuel ("God's redemption"), and Iphedeiah ("redemption of the Lord") further underscore the pervasive nature of this theme ^{[3, 4, 5]}.

The New Testament articulates that this redemption is achieved through the blood of Jesus Christ, leading to the forgiveness of sins, as stated in Ephesians 1:7 ^[2]. This act is not based on human works of righteousness but on God's mercy, bringing about salvation through spiritual rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) ^[7]. The redemption accomplished by Christ is described as "eternal redemption" obtained through His blood and meritorious intercession ^[10].

Scripture often portrays redemption occurring through unexpected or powerful means. For instance, the Exodus from Egypt is consistently attributed to God's "strong hand, and with a stretched out arm," demonstrating His mighty power in delivering His people from bondage ^[9]. This historical act serves as a type for the spiritual redemption of God's "mystical Israel" from the hands of their enemies ^[9]. The prophet Isaiah speaks of Zion being "redeemed with judgment," indicating that this divine act is the foundation for other blessings like justification, pardon, and conversion ^[14]. This redemption is spiritual, delivering the soul from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law ^[14].

The concept of a redeemer is also found in the book of Job, where the language used to describe deliverance from suffering points to the ultimate realization of redemption through Jesus Christ ^[10]. Zechariah, in Luke 1:68, praises the "Lord God of Israel" for having "visited and redeemed" His people, recognizing God's return after a long silence to bring mercy and salvation ^[11]. This redemption is not merely a rescue from distress but a profound act that enables the redeemed to honor God through their praises (1 Peter 2:9) ^[8].

The New Testament also presents salvation as a future, final victory over sin and death that believers will experience upon Christ's return ^[12]. While the righteous may face distress, God has a way to deliver them, even when they despair, often turning the tables on the wicked who sought to harm them ^[13]. This demonstrates God's unexpected methods of bringing about redemption and justice. Christ's redemption from the curse of the law, as described in Galatians 3:13, highlights His role as the mighty Redeemer, qualified by His divine and human nature to accomplish this work for God's elect ^[15].

Sources

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”
King James Version “[KJV] Ephesians 1:7 — In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Pedaiah — redemption of the Lord”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Geuel — God's redemption”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Iphedeiah — redemption of the Lord”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redeemer — Heb. goel; i.e., one charged with the duty of restoring the rights of another and avenging his wrongs (Lev. 25:48, 49; Num. 5:8; Ruth 4:1; Job 19:25; Ps. 19:14; 78:35, etc.). This title is peculiarly applied to Christ. He redeems us from all evil by the payment of a ransom (q.v.). (See [524]REDEMPTION.)”
Titus “Titus 3:5 (BBE) — Not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but in the measure of his mercy, he gave us salvation, through the washing of the new birth and the giving of new life in the Holy Spirit,”
Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 43:21: 43:21 One purpose of redemption is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed (see 1 Pet 2:9).”
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”
Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 33:24: Apodosis to Job 33:23. he--God. Deliver--literally, "redeem"; in it and "ransom" there is reference to the consideration, on account of which God pardons and relieves the sufferers; here it is primarily the intercession of Elihu. But the language is too strong for its full meaning to be exhausted by this. The Holy Ghost has suggested language which receives its full realization only in the "eternal redemption found" by God in the price paid by Jesus Christ for it; that is, His blood and meritorious intercession (Heb 9:12). "Obtained," literally, "fou”
Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 1:68: There is not a word in this noble burst of divine song about his own child; like Elisabeth losing sight entirely of self, in the glory of a Greater than both. Lord God of Israel--the ancient covenant God of the peculiar people. visited and redeemed--that is, in order to redeem: returned after long absence, and broken His long silence (see Mat 15:31). In the Old Testament, God is said to "visit" chiefly for judgment, in the New Testament for mercy. Zacharias would, as yet, have but imperfect views of such "visiting and redeeming," "saving from and del”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 13:11: 13:11 The New Testament often speaks of salvation as the final victory over sin and death that believers will experience when Jesus returns in glory (see 5:9-10).”
Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 11:8: As always in death, so sometimes in life, the righteous are remarkably favoured and the wicked crossed. 1. Good people are helped out of the distresses which they thought themselves lost in, and their feet are set in a large room, Psa 66:12; Psa 34:19. God has found out a way to deliver his people even when they have despaired and their enemies have triumphed, as if the wilderness had shut them in. 2. The wicked have fallen into the distresses which they thought themselves far from, nay, which they had been instrumental to bring the righteous into, so that they ”
Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 1:27: Zion shall be redeemed with judgment,.... The blessing of redemption by Christ is the source and foundation of the other blessings of grace, before mentioned, the little remnant are favoured with, as justification, pardon of sin, and conversion, Isa 1:18, Isa 1:25 it is of a spiritual nature; the redemption of the soul is a deliverance from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law, and is plenteous and eternal; the objects of redeeming grace are "Zion" and her converts; not the world, but the church is redeemed by Christ; for by Zion is meant, not a place, but peopl”
Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 3:13: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law,.... The Redeemer is Christ, the Son of God; who was appointed and called to this work by his Father, and which he himself agreed to; he was spoken of in prophecy under this character; he came as such, and has obtained eternal redemption, for which he was abundantly qualified; as man, he was a near kinsman, to whom the right of redemption belonged; and as God, he was able to accomplish it. The persons redeemed are "us", God's elect, both of Jews and Gentiles; a peculiar people, the people of Christ, whom the Father ”

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