Day 85 Through The Bible

Day 85: The Kinsman Redeemer – A Biblical Principle of Mercy and Grace

When we reflect on God’s mercy and grace, we often think about His love for humanity and His willingness to redeem us despite our failings. However, one of the most overlooked yet profound truths about God's mercy is tied to a practice in the Bible that points us directly to Christ—the concept of the Kinsman Redeemer. Through the stories of the daughters of Zelophehad and the narrative of Ruth, we see the beautiful thread of redemption woven through Scripture, demonstrating God's mercy and grace because of who He is.

The Kinsman Redeemer: God's Mercy and Grace in Action

The Kinsman Redeemer was a powerful biblical principle that protected Israel's inheritance and family line. In the book of Numbers, we see the story of Zelophehad's daughters, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Their father had died, leaving no sons to inherit his land. At that time, inheritance passed from father to son, and the inheritance would typically be lost with no son.

However, bold and full of faith, these daughters approached Moses and asked for their father's inheritance to be passed to them. They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the entire congregation, pleading their case: “Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us, therefore, a possession among the brethren of our father” (Numbers 27:4).

Moses made their request to God, and the Lord responded with mercy. He established a new law that if a man had no son, his inheritance could pass to his daughter, ensuring that the family line and inheritance were preserved. This law also included provisions for the inheritance to pass to brothers, the father's brothers, or even a close kinsman.

This principle is significant not just in legal terms but also in its deeper spiritual meaning. It sets the stage for the ultimate Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who would redeem us not with silver or gold but with His precious blood.

The Story of Ruth: A Beautiful Picture of Redemption

In the book of Ruth, we see how a Kinsman Redeemer works in real life. Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, had lost her husband and two sons. Ruth, a Moabite widow, was left with no inheritance and no means to provide for herself. However, Naomi had a relative named Boaz, who was a close kinsman. Understanding the principles of redemption, Boaz stepped forward to redeem Ruth and her deceased husband’s inheritance.

In Ruth 4:4-9, we see the legal transaction take place. Boaz offers to redeem the land of Naomi, but the nearest kinsman refuses, not wanting to mar his inheritance. Boaz, however, redeems both the land and Ruth, ensuring the preservation of the family line of Elimelech (Ruth's father-in-law).

The beauty of this story is that it points directly to Christ, the ultimate Kinsman Redeemer. Despite her foreign status and humble position, Boaz's willingness to redeem Ruth mirrors Jesus' desire to redeem us—undeserving sinners. Just as Boaz paid the price to restore Ruth's inheritance, Christ paid the price for our sins with His blood.

Jesus: Our Eternal Kinsman Redeemer

The ultimate redemption we experience as Christians is through Jesus Christ, the eternal Kinsman Redeemer. In 1 Peter 1:18-21, we are reminded that “we 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.”

Like the daughters of Zelophehad and Ruth, we were once without hope and a claim to our inheritance in God. But Jesus, our Kinsman Redeemer, stepped forward to redeem us by His death on the cross. His sacrifice was not just for a piece of land or a family’s name; it was for our very souls. His blood redeems us forever, securing our inheritance in heaven.

This truth should lead us to live in a way that reflects His grace. The Kinsman Redeemer principle teaches us that God’s mercy and grace are not based on our worthiness but His character. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth and God granted the daughters of Zelophehad their inheritance, God extends His mercy to us because of who He is, not because of what we have done.

Practical Application: Our Redemption in Christ

The story of the Kinsman Redeemer is not just an ancient law; it is a foundational truth for us today. We are redeemed forever by the blood of Christ. What a blessing it is to have an eternal Kinsman Redeemer, one who never leaves us and never forsakes us.

As Christians, we must recognize the depth of this truth in our daily lives. We are called to live in gratitude, knowing that our inheritance—our salvation—is secured forever through Christ. Just as the Kinsman Redeemer had to pay a price to redeem, Christ has paid the ultimate price for our redemption. Our response should be worship, humility, and intentional living as we walk in the light of His grace.

May we trust in God's merciful and gracious redemption like the daughters of Zelophehad and Ruth. May we, in turn, show mercy and grace to others, reflecting the character of our Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

The Kinsman Redeemer law may seem like a small story in the grand narrative of the Bible, but it carries with it profound truths about God’s character, mercy, and plan of redemption. As we meditate on these biblical principles, let us remember the price Christ paid to redeem us forever. We have eternal security and an inheritance that can never fade through Him. What a beautiful and humbling truth it is to know that the blood of our Kinsman Redeemer forever redeems us.