“Do not remove the ancient landmark, nor enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you” (Proverbs 23:10-11).
The Hebrew word ga-al (“Redeemer”) is a significant and precious Bible word. It was used to describe a specific family relative in two different settings:
- When a blood relative had died of unnatural causes at the hands of another (Num. 35:11-12). The kinsman who vigorously pursued justice for the death of this innocent relative was the ga-al (or “Avenger”).
- When a kinsman was in grave financial need—so destitute that he had sold the land he had inherited (Lev. 25:25-34) and/or himself into slavery (Num. 25:48-55) to repay a debt. The family member who stepped forward, paid the debt off, and then restored the property and/or family member was the ga-al (or “Redeemer”).
To be a ga-al for one’s kinsman (like Boaz was for Naomi and Ruth—Ruth 4:1-9) is an act of love, grace, and kindness.
How perfectly Jesus fulfills both aspects of this significant and precious word. By becoming flesh (John 1:14)—so He could be humanity’s kinsman in all things (Heb. 2:17)—He redeemed us from the slavery of sin we had sold ourselves into plus avenged our enemy who had caused our death via sin.
