Kinsman-redeemer

[Kimberly]

Wow....I never thought about it that way. I never really tied the Old
Testament kinsman-redeemer tradition to the New Testament. This entry
I found on the internet summed it up quite nicely:

This was the Law of the Kinsman Redeemer. It listed four
qualifications which were necessary for a man to fulfill the role of
Kinsman Redeemer. It was only when a man possessed these four
qualities that he was permitted to perform this task.
1. He must be a Kinsman. - The passage is very explicit that
this redeemer must be related to the one whom he is going to buy back
out of slavery.
2. He must be Free himself. - A slave was unable to purchase
another slave. A Kinsman Redeemer must be himself free of the debt and
of the bondage which had fallen on the one who was to be redeemed.
3. He must be able to Pay the Price. - If he did not have the
necessary sum of money which was required to pay the purchase price,
then he would not be able to redeem his relative.
4. He must be Willing to pay the price.

It was not enough to have a kinsman who was able to accomplish the
work of redemption. He must also be willing to may the sacrifice of
paying the price. I imagine that there were a number of slaves with
rich uncles who just didn’t want to spend the money to release their
unfortunate relative from slavery.

Each of these qualifications was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. God sent
Jesus into the world s slave market of sin to purchase men from their
bondage of sin. He alone met the qualifications of the Kinsman
Redeemer.

He became a Kinsman by taking on flesh and becoming a man. He was free
from the bondage of sin. He was able to pay the ransom price. He was
willing to pay the price.

[Amanda]

Kimberly, I really like what you said. I didn't think about the
kinsman-redeemer concept in terms of Christ until I read your
comment. That gives me some more to think on the next couple of days.

When I thought of references to the kinsman-redeemer concept, the
first thing I thought of was how many times we are instructed to look
after widows in the New Testament. In Acts 6:1-6, we see that taking
care of widows in the church was so important that the leaders felt it
necessary to appoint 7 men to take care of the daily distribution of
food so that none of the widows were overlooked (Grecian or Hebraic).
In I Tim 5, families are told to take care of their widows if they are
able so the widows will not be a burden to the church, which also
indicates that the church is to take care of widows who have no
family. Young widows are also told to marry and have children if
possible. If we look at the church as our family, then whether or not
blood relatives or the church are taking care of widows, they are
being taken care of by their family (or kinsman). And James wrote to
"the twelve tribes scattered among the nations" that "Religion that
God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after
orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being
polluted by the world" (1:27, NIV). These verses indicate that widows
should be taken care of which seems to be a major responsibility of a
kinsman-redeemer. In these cases though, it comes down to the church
family taking care of widows among itself instead of blood relatives,
unless there are blood relatives within the church that have the means
to take care of the widows.

I think this idea is very important for us today. In light of the
economic times we find ourselves in today, I would extend this beyond
just taking care of widows, but also taking care of those who find
themselves out of work and unable to support themselves or their
families. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 25:40 "I tell you the
truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of
mine, you did for me." I think the kinsman-redeemer concept and this
verse tell us that we need to take care of our own, with our own being
fellow followers of Christ. When we are able we should help our
kinsmen (brothers and sisters) in Christ. And when we are in need,
God promises He will provide us with what we need. I think this
provision from God often comes from our brothers and sisters in
Christ. I've never woken to find mana in my front yard and I don't
personally know anyone who has, but I do know plenty of people who
have found the help they need from their church families.

Once again I think I've veered off onto a tangent, but it seems that's
the way my brain works these days. I hope you all can make sense of
my ramblings. :)

[Katie]

Well said, both of you. I have nothing to add- just a lot to think on
now :)

[Kay]

I have been blessed this morning as you all have reminded me, in
various ways, of the price that has been paid - by a willing Savior -
for my freedom from slavery! Thank you all and thank You, Lord!!
Kay

> > > willing to pay the price.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Megan]

Wow! Kimberly thank you for sharing the insights you came across. I,
like Amanda, was thinking more a long the lines of our responsibility
to take care of widows. You have opened my eyes and allowed me to see
the kinsman redeemer relationship from a completely different angle.
Amanda you said it all perfectly so there isn't anything for me to
add. I especially appreciated your correlation between the kinsman
redeemers task of taking care of family and and our taking care of our
spiritual family. Thank you ladies for shaing your thoughts. You
have helped me grow today!