Gospel Reflections #186: We have a Redeemer

Matthew 2:1 "Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the days of King Herod."

God's plan was meticulous and surely fulfilled. Even in Old Testament times, there was the concept of the Redeemer. The word go'el means "kinsman, redeemer," or "nearest relative."

Goel had a ministry for relatives that only Goel could perform.For example, it was Goel's role to redeem and free relatives who had been sold into slavery, to buy back property given away by poor relatives, to marry the widows of close relatives to keep the family line unbroken, and to remove shame from relatives.

Naomi and Ruth's goel turns out to be Boaz, and eventually Ruth asks Boaz to protect and provide for Ruth as his closest relative.

The two married and gave birth to Obed, who would become King David's grandfather.

King David was also born in Bethlehem, so Mary and Joseph, David's descendants, went to Bethlehem to investigate the national tax.

Our, "closest relative" is Jesus.Jesus is our Goel. We have had a "Redeemer" prepared for us from the beginning. God is still working on our behalf to ensure its fulfillment.

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This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of Jesus. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from the Gospel that has filled her heart.