Among the Statutes that God gave His people in ancient times was a special provision that was designed to establish both social and economic stability. This was the special role in the family unit or clan known as the Goel, or “kinsman-redeemer.” This was not unique to the Jews–other cultures of that time and area practiced it and still do to some extent–but God gave special guidelines for its regulation that not only promoted social stability but also symbolized His eternal purposes.
From Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary–
H1350 גּאל gâ’al gaw-al’ A primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), that is, to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative’s property, marry his widow, etc.): – X in any wise, X at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near, next) kinsfolk (-man), purchase, ransom, redeem (-er), revenger.
Here are a few verses that use that word to speak of God as the Goel.
Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem youH1350 with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: Exodus 6:6
For I know that my redeemerH1350 liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: Job 19:25
And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemerH1350 . Psalm 78:35
The Goel was the one who brought things back to the way they ought to be, the nearest relative that could always be counted on for help when a wrong needed to be made right. The responsibilities of the Goel covered basically four areas–to redeem property that had been sold because of financial difficulty, to redeem a person who was in bondage because of financial difficulty, to marry a widow and raise children for a brother, and to avenge murder. The overall concept seems to be that of restoring what has been wrong, renewing the cycle of right. Let us have a look at what it meant to be the Goel in each of these situations and how that symbolizes what our Heavenly Goel does in our behalf.
The Goel as Property Redeemer–
When the Israelites inherited the Promised Land, each family received a piece of property to call their own. They did not actually own it because God claimed ownership of the land, but as tenants, they had the right to use it perpetually to “make a living”–to raise animals and food for themselves and sell the increase for profit. The property was not to be transferred to others outside the family. This plan promoted economic stability for the family unit and for the nation as a whole.
The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. Leviticus 25:23
This is the reason why Naboth refused to let Ahab get his vineyard. That would have been against the Divine Statutes.
And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. 1 Kings 21:3
When Jezebel’s hit-men had done their work of eliminating him and his heirs (2 Kings 9:26), the land was “up for grabs” and Ahab grabbed it.
If the person or family to whom the property was granted got into a situation where they felt forced to sell because of financial difficulties, the payment they received was only for the value of the harvested produce for each year up until the Year of Jubilee, not for the market value of the land since they did not actually own the land. The original “owner” would then have cash to help him out of his difficulty and the buyer would receive the profit from whatever the land produced. The nearest relative, the Goel, was probably given first chance to purchase the family property to help alleviate the difficulty and keep the property within the clan. If he did not, for whatever reason, then someone else could purchase it. If the original “owner” could later afford to repurchase his property, he had the right to do so by repaying the value of the annual harvested produce until the Year of Jubilee. For example, if he had sold it 20 years before the Year of Jubilee, he was paid for 20 harvests. If 10 years later he could repurchase it, he paid the holder for the remaining 10 harvests.
And if thou sell ought unto thy neighbour, or buyest ought of thy neighbour’s hand, ye shall not oppress one another: According to the number of years after the jubile thou shalt buy of thy neighbour, and according unto the number of years of the fruits he shall sell unto thee: According to the multitude of years thou shalt increase the price thereof, and according to the fewness of years thou shalt diminish the price of it: for according to the number of the years of the fruits doth he sell unto thee. Leviticus 25:14-16
A Goel could step in at any time and “redeem” the property by paying the value of the remaining harvests at his own expense and then giving the property back to the owner, or holding it in trust and managing it for them if necessary. If it was not redeemed, it would return automatically to the original owner “free and clear” in the Year of Jubilee. This was God’s way of stabilizing the economy of Israel so there would not be extremes of poverty or wealth. It is very different from what happened to the Egyptians when they were suffering under severe famine conditions in Joseph’s time. (Genesis 47:13-26) They exchanged their money, their animals, their land, and finally themselves for food to keep from starving. They lived as slaves of the government after that and could not anticipate a Year of Jubilee when they would be free again
In the story of Jeremiah we see an incident where Jeremiah’s cousin wanted to sell his property.
And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it. (Jeremiah was Hanameel’s Goel) So Hanameel mine uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD. And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. Jeremiah 32:6-9
The book of Ruth gives us an excellent picture of all that would transpire in a situation like this. When Naomi returned to Israel after living in Moab and losing her husband and sons, she had no resources except Elimelech’s land. Apparently it had not been sold prior to this and Naomi felt that she and Ruth would not be able to work the land properly to make a livelihood from it. In order to support herself and Ruth, she felt forced to sell it. The first right of purchase went to the nearest relative, the kinsman whom Boaz talked with at the gate.
Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s: And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it. Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it. Ruth 4:1-6
This kinsman was the Goel for Naomi and Ruth. He was willing to redeem their property but did not want the other responsibility of a Goel–supporting the two women and raising up a family through Ruth in Elimelech’s name. In relinquishing his right to the property to Boaz, he was also shirking his legal responsibility to Ruth and Naomi.
The Goel as Personal Redeemer–
God is very conscious of the needs of the poor. In His Statutes, He specifically provided for their relief.
And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile: And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return. For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen. Leviticus 25:39-42
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. And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he was sold to him unto the year of jubile: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years, according to the time of an hired servant shall it be with him. If there be yet many years behind, according unto them he shall give again the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for. And if there remain but few years unto the year of jubile, then he shall count with him, and according unto his years shall he give him again the price of his redemption. And as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him: and the other shall not rule with rigour over him in thy sight. And if he be not redeemed in these years, then he shall go out in the year of jubile, both he, and his children with him. For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 25:47-55
If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. Deuteronomy 15:7-14
There were times when a family got into serious financial difficulties and the father was forced to sell himself or members of his family as slaves in order to survive. A Jew could not “own” one of his fellow Jews as a slave (God held claim to them Leviticus 25:42, 55) but was to treat him as a temporary employee, under contract for a limit of six years. Apparently, the poor person would be paid “up-front” wages for the amount of time he was to serve, thus giving him cash to alleviate his poverty. The wealthy person was to be kind and generous, even giving him help and provisions beyond his wages when he was released at the end of his six-year contract. (Deuteronomy 15:13, 14) At times a Jew might sell himself to a wealthy foreigner living nearby. The role and responsibility of the Goel included redeeming those within his family or clan who were in this situation. He would repay the “employer” out of his own resources for the time remaining until the seventh year, the Year of Release, thus releasing the poor brother before his time of indenture was up so that he could return to his family and former line of work, allowing him to keep the wages he had received “up front,” and begin again to earn his livelihood.
Nehemiah rebuked the wealthy rulers in his time who were disregarding God’s Statutes and taking advantage of their poorer brothers.
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live. Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. Nehemiah 5:1-8
The story in 2 Kings 4:1-7 of the woman coming to Elisha for help describes this type of situation. Apparently the creditor was rather hard-hearted, possibly a foreigner, not following what God said in Deuteronomy 15:7-14, and she had no Goel to redeem her and her sons from their financial difficulty, so God provided help in another way.
The Goel as Family Redeemer–
The brother (or nearest relative) of a deceased husband had the responsibility to raise up children from a widow in her husband’s name. This was not merely an option but a serious responsibility as we can see from the instructions God gave. This law preserved all family lines and property rights.
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband’s brother unto her. And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel. And if the man like not to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband’s brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother. Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her; Then shall his brother’s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother’s house. And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed. Deuteronomy 25:5-10
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also. Genesis 38:6-10
When Boaz took Ruth as his wife, the child that was born was given to Naomi as though it was her own son, the heir to the property. Boaz, the Goel, preserved Elimelech’s family line.
And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Ruth 4:14-17
The Goel as Avenger–
If a family member was killed and the crime was proved to be murder rather than manslaughter, it was the responsibility of the Goel to avenge the murder by killing the murderer.
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. Genesis 9:5, 6
And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. The revenger of blood himself (the Goel) shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood (the Goel) shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him. . . . Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest. So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. Numbers 35:16-21, 30-33
One instance we read about where this Statute was carried out, though somewhat modified because of the circumstances, is in 1 Kings 2 where King David gave Solomon the responsibility of avenging the blood of Abner and Amasa by killing Joab, the one who had murdered them. A Goel, a near relative of either of those men, would have been very reluctant to perform his duty against the commander of the army, and David apparently did not feel he could personally kill his own general, so he had Solomon do it.
At last treachery overthrew the throne that malice and ambition had established. Abner, becoming incensed against the weak and incompetent Ishbosheth, deserted to David, with the offer to bring over to him all the tribes of Israel. His proposals were accepted by the king, and he was dismissed with honor to accomplish his purpose. But the favorable reception of so valiant and famed a warrior excited the jealousy of Joab, the commander-in-chief of David’s army. There was a blood feud between Abner and Joab, the former having slain Asahel, Joab’s brother, during the war between Israel and Judah. Now Joab, seeing an opportunity to avenge his brother’s death and rid himself of a prospective rival, basely took occasion to waylay and murder Abner.
David, upon hearing of this treacherous assault, exclaimed, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord forever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner. Let it rest on the head of Joab; and on all his father’s house.” In view of the unsettled state of the kingdom, and the power and position of the murderers–for Joab’s brother Abishai had been united with him–David could not visit the crime with just retribution, yet he publicly manifested his abhorrence of the bloody deed. . . . PP 699, 700
Lessons from the story of Ruth
There are many fascinating details about the Goel in the story of Ruth that illuminate the Gospel. We will look at a few of them.
Who is this Goel?
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. Ruth 2:1
This verse gives us a very brief description of the one who was Goel for Naomi and Ruth and, as a parable, is a description of who our Goel is. Boaz was a near relative of Elimelech, whose name means “God the King.” He is described as “a mighty man of wealth.” The Hebrew word for “mighty” means “a strong, valiant champion.” He was an older man, highly respected in the community, probably a “city councilman.” The word “wealth” comes from the Hebrew word for “virtue, strength, worthiness.” It is the same word that Boaz uses to describe Ruth herself. “. . . all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.” Ruth 3:11
Our Goel is closely related to God, the King. He is a strong, valiant champion of virtue, worthy of all praise and honor. His Bride is to be like Him in character.
Ruth’s first husband, Mahlon, died shortly after they were married. His name meant “sickly.” Apparently he was weak and unhealthy from the time he was born. The name Boaz means “strength is in him.” Our Goel comes in strength rather than weakness.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; John 5:26
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: . . . John 11:25
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening (life-giving, vitalizing) spirit. 1 Corinthians 15:45
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12
Adam, our original ancestor, was given life to become a living being. Because of his sin, he forfeited that gift of life and all of his posterity (us) have shared the same fate. The family of God was destined to become extinct. But, the One who replaced Adam, Jesus Christ, had life in Himself and came as the Life-giver to raise up a new family for God.
God created man for His own glory, that after test and trial the human family might become one with the heavenly family. It was God’s purpose to repopulate heaven with the human family. (Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume 1, p. 1082)
Under His Wings–
When Boaz spoke personally to Ruth and assured her that she would be treated well in his field among his workers, he used a beautiful metaphor to describe what she had done in committing herself to stay with Naomi.
And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. Ruth 2:11, 12
The Hebrew word for “wings” in this verse (H3671 כּנף kânâph kaw-nawf’) has an interesting meaning. It is descriptive of a bird’s wings and also of the edge of a garment, the hem of a skirt.
Later, when Ruth came to Boaz under the cover of darkness, she laid at his feet and covered herself with the hem of his garment. She was symbolically asking to be brought under his covering, his skirt, his wings. She was declaring her need and requesting that he fulfill his obligation as her Goel.
And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirtH3671 over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. Ruth 3:9
Here are some other verses that use that same word, “kanaph” (H3671), to describe what our Goel does for us.
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings.H3671 Psalm 61:4
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wingsH3671 will I rejoice. Psalm 63:7
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirtH3671 over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine. Ezekiel 16:8
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;H3671 and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. Malachi 4:2
Who Cares?–
The kinsman whom Boaz met at the gate was Naomi’s nearest relative. He was the one who had the primary right and responsibility to act as her Goel. He showed immediate interest when Boaz informed him that there was some property available (Ruth 4:3, 4), but he lost interest when he was reminded of the family responsibilities that came with the property (Ruth 4:5, 6).
In the beginning, God granted Adam the right and responsibility of being a steward of the earth and everything in it. He had a similar arrangement with the Israelites: they were to manage the land under His ownership. Satan wants the earth and to some extent has already connived to have it and be known as the Prince of this World. (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Matthew 4:9) But he is not interested in the welfare of the people; he only wants authority over the property. Let humanity suffer and die; he cares not at all.
But the One who loves us has stepped in to redeem both the property and the Bride. When He has been granted legal rights to the property, then He takes the Bride to Himself. This picture of what the Goel does sheds light on several other descriptions that we are given.
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. Luke 19:12
I saw the Father rise from the throne, and in a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the veil, and sit down. Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and the most of those who were bowed down arose with Him. I did not see one ray of light pass from Jesus to the careless multitude after He arose, and they were left in perfect darkness. Those who arose when Jesus did, kept their eyes fixed on Him as He left the throne and led them out a little way. Then He raised His right arm, and we heard His lovely voice saying, “Wait here; I am going to My Father to receive the kingdom; keep your garments spotless, and in a little while I will return from the wedding and receive you to Myself.” (Early Writings, p. 55)
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Revelation 21:9, 10
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. Galatians 4:26
Our Goel loves the property (“the world”) and everyone connected to the family (“whosoever”).
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
He will Provide–
Naomi’s circumstances in Moab remind us of the situation of the prodigal son in Jesus’ parable in Luke 15. He left his home, went to the far country, eventually found himself in desperate straits, and finally decided to return home to where he hoped to get better treatment. By coming back to Bethlehem, Naomi was leaving an area where no one felt any obligation to care for her, to return to her homeland and her people who not only had ties of kinship but were also commanded in the Torah to care for the widows and the poor. When we return to God, we can trust that He will provide what we need, both physically and spiritually.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 2 Peter 1:3
At His own Expense–
Boaz, at his own personal expense, took on the total financial burden of purchasing Naomi’s land and supporting the family. He did it because they needed it, not because he hoped to profit by it.
And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: . . . Ruth 3:11
There is not much profit for our Goel to redeem us who are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” (Revelation 3:17) But He recognized our need, and His great heart of love could not refrain from doing whatever we required, to the point of giving what was most precious and valuable in the whole universe–His own life. The cost of our redemption was graphically demonstrated on the Cross.
Grace is an attribute of God exercised toward undeserving human beings. We did not seek for it, but it was sent in search of us. God rejoices to bestow His grace upon us, not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy. Our only claim to His mercy is our great need. (The Ministry of Healing, p. 161)
Our Heavenly Goel
The Redeemer–
The position, responsibilities, and privileges of the Goel, the Redeemer, described in the Old Testament are a wonderful “parable” that teaches much about what our Goel does for us. The word (H1350) is used over 80 times in the Old Testament, sometimes speaking of a literal Goel, but many times using the term in reference to God, the True Redeemer.
And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. Psalm 106:10
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Isaiah 44:22
As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 47:4
For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. Isaiah 54:5
For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. Jeremiah 31:11
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. Hosea 13:14
In the New Testament, the Redeemer’s work is described in slightly different terms but the result is the same. The Greek words used to describe redemption in the New Testament are usually in the context of a ransom paid for the release of a hostage. We are held hostage under the power of sin and Satan, and are freed through the work of our Redeemer.
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:18, 19
A Kinsman–
Another aspect of the role of the Goel that is emphasized many times in the New Testament is that of kinship. The Goel was a close relative. We are reminded repeatedly that God is our Father and Jesus is our Brother. As the Goel was obligated to fulfill his roles by his ties of kinship, so our Heavenly Father and Brother have obligated themselves to fulfill those same roles for us because we have been adopted into their family.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. John 20:17
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:5, 6
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 1 John 3:1
For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Hebrews 2:11
The Avenger–
Satan invented the poison of sin and induced Eve to take it. She convinced Adam to take it and death came as a result of that poison.
. . . the devil . . . was a murderer from the beginning . . . he is a liar, and the father of it. John 8:44
Satan is a confirmed criminal. He is the source and instigator of all the evil that has ever occurred. Our Goel will avenge all the crimes.
Summary
Humanity is in a deplorable condition. Our property (the earth) was forfeited because of sin and we have no resources that would suffice to regain it. Our lives have been cut short by sin and we are on the road to extinction. We are slaves to the criminal who instigated our situation and he is still on the loose making things worse.
But our Goel has stepped into the picture. He is our Kinsman-Redeemer to restore us to our former estate. He is our strong Life-giver to perpetuate the Family of God. He is the Avenger to eradicate the source of evil and all of its results. All of these roles set right what has gone wrong and are part of righteousness and justice. Let us praise our Goel for what He has done for us.
When our first parents fell from their high estate through transgression, God’s law was made void. Then Christ entered upon his work as a Redeemer, and probation was granted to the inhabitants of the world. In Noah’s day, men disregarded the law of God until almost all remembrance of him had passed away from the earth. Their wickedness reached so great a height; violence, crime, and every kind of sin became so intensely active, that the Lord brought a flood of water upon the world and swept away the wicked inhabitants thereof. But mercy was mingled with judgment. Noah and his family were saved. In the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, we see that the Lord will interfere; fire came down from heaven and destroyed these wicked cities.
From time to time the Lord has made known his manner of working. He is mindful of what is passing upon the earth. And when a crisis has come, he has revealed himself, and has interposed the working of Satan’s plans. He has often permitted matters with nations, with families, and with individuals to come to a crisis, that his interference might become marked. Then he has let the fact be known that there is a God in Israel who would sustain and vindicate his people.
When the defiance of the law of Jehovah shall be almost universal, when his people shall be pressed in affliction by their fellow men, God will interpose. The fervent prayers of his people will be answered, for he loves to have his people seek him with all their heart, and depend upon him as their Deliverer. He will be sought unto to do these things for his people, and he will arise as the protector and avenger of his people. The promise is, “The Lord will avenge his own elect, which cry unto him day and night.”
The Protestant governments will reach a strange pass. They will be converted to the world. They will also, in their separation from God, work to make falsehood and apostasy from God the law of the nation. In the place of those who have the light of truth allowing jealousy and evil surmisings to come in and weaken their love and union one with another, their united prayers should ascend to heaven for the Lord to arise and put an end to the violence and abuse which is practised in our world. More prayer and less talk is what God desires, and would make his people a tower of strength. GCB, January 1, 1900
I call upon all who have united in a course of action that is wrong in principle to make a decided reformation, and forever after walk humbly with God. The world is soon to be judged. A righteous God must avenge the death of His Son. Today men are choosing Barabbas, and saying, Crucify Christ. They will do this in the person of His saints. They will go over the same ground as the Jewish priests and rulers did in their treatment of Christ. He, the Son of God, and an innocent man, was murdered because He told men truths that it did not please them to hear. Yet He was the Son of the infinite God.
Those who today despise the law of Jehovah, showing no respect for His commandments, are taking sides with the great apostate. They proclaim to a sin-corrupted world that the law of God is null and void. Those who declare this as truth deceive the people, and have virtually nailed the law of Jehovah to the cross between two thieves. What a thought!
Before the worlds unfallen and the heavenly universe, the world will have to give an account to the Judge of the whole earth, the very One they condemned and crucified. What a reckoning day that will be! It is the great day of God’s vengeance. Christ does not then stand at Pilate’s bar. Pilate and Herod, and all that mocked, scourged, rejected, and crucified Him will then understand what it means to feel the wrath of the Lamb. Their deeds will appear before them in their true character. TM 131, 132
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. Revelation 5:9-14
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: Job 19:25