The blessings of our salvation center upon our precious Kinsman Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Israel, the kinsman-redeemer is a male relative who, according to various laws of the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need. The Hebrew term (go el) for kinsman-redeemer designates one who delivers or rescues (Genesis 48:16; Exodus 6:6) or redeems property or person (Leviticus 27:9–25, 25:47–55).

The kinsman who redeems or vindicates a relative is illustrated most clearly in the book of Ruth, where the kinsman-redeemer is a man named Boaz.

The story of Ruth and Boaz:

The story of Ruth and Boaz begins when Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, return to Bethlehem from Moab where they had been living. Naomi’s husband and both sons, one the husband of Ruth, had died, leaving the women penniless and without a male protector. Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Naomi sends Ruth to glean in the fields of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi to whom they, through a series of divinely appointed circumstances, appeal as their go el. Boaz acquiesces, willingly takes Ruth as his wife, and together they bear a son named Obed who became the grandfather of David, the forefather of Jesus.

Yahweh is Israel’s Redeemer, the one who promises to defend and vindicate them. He is both Father and Deliverer (Exodus 20:2). There are numerous Old Testament appeals to God as rescuer of the weak and needy (Psalm 82:4; Daniel 6:27; Jeremiah 20:13) and preserver of the sheep of Israel (Ezekiel 34:10–12, 22).

In the New Testament, Christ is often regarded as an example of a kinsman-redeemer because, as our brother (Hebrews 2:11), He also redeems us because of our great need, one that only He can satisfy. In Ruth 3:9, we see a beautiful and poignant picture of the needy supplicant, unable to rescue herself, requesting of the kinsman-redeemer that he cover her with his protection, redeem her, and make her his wife. In the same way, the Lord Jesus Christ bought us for Himself, out of the curse, out of our destitution; made us His own beloved bride; and blessed us for all generations. He is the true kinsman-redeemer of all who call on Him in faith.

Three Functions of the Kinsman-Redeemer

1) The first function had to do with the restoration of sold property. The law said, “If thy brother be waxen poor, and sell some of his possession, then shall his kinsman that is next unto him come and shall redeem that which his brother hath sold” (Lev. 25:25).

Plus, all things were restored in the Year of Jubilee, which was every 50 years. The underlying intention behind this law was that it killed the idea of land ownership. God was the owner. Israel was just a tenant. Jubilee brought about checks and balances when people had acquired large amounts of real estate. The land that had been given up was to revert to its original occupants. Lev 25:23 says, “The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.” The intention was to secure the land of Israel to Israel forever, to discourage the creation of a landowning class, with its consequent landless class, and to prevent extremes of poverty and wealth in Israel.

2) The second of his duties was to buy back a member of his family fallen into slavery.

“And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family: After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him: Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself” (Lev. 25:47-49).

If a fellow Jew had been taken into or given himself over to be a slave to a gentile, his fellow kinsman redeemer would buy him back. Conversely, all gentile slaves in Israel were to be released. There was in Israel the compulsory liberation of all slaves from bondage for all 'slaves' every 50 years.

All debts are also forgiven. Imagine that!

3) The third and last function given to the kinsman-redeemer was that of avenging the blood of a murdered relative, which I love. If a man or a woman was murdered, it became his obligation to exact a life for a life. This law was more about restricting the wild justice of revenge, and of entrusting it to one chosen person out of the kindred of the victim. This did not so much put the sword of vengeance into the hand of the next-of-kin as it was about taking it out of the hands of all the angry clan by Him dying on the cross for the sins of all mankind... if they will believe.

Conclusion

All of this brings to mind the Lord Jesus Christ upon His 2^nd coming. He will then restore “the land” to His people, Israel. He will bring back unto Himself all the lost enslaved Israelites, whether enslaved to the world or enslaved to sin. They shall be freed from their bondage, all debts paid and forgiven. Plus, He will execute judgment and justice upon the enemies of Israel and of God.