BibleProject | Redemption in the Biblical Storyഉദാഹരണം

Redemption as Returning to Family

Welcome to the first day of the Redemption reading plan. Each day, we will dive deep into the Bible’s multi-layered concept of redemption by examining key Old and New Testament passages.

Though the word “redemption” may be familiar to many of us, we don’t all use it the same way. You might say you “redeemed a coupon,” while someone else may talk about salvation as “God’s redeeming work.” The Bible sometimes connects redemption to animal sacrifice, including the “blood of the lamb” (see today’s video). So what does this word mean? The book of Exodus is a helpful starting point for this question.

Exodus opens with God liberating the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The tyrannical Pharaoh acts like he owns Israel as his possession, but God tells Moses that he will redeem them and bring them back to him (Exod. 6:6-7). When God restores people back to their family (after they’ve been taken by another), God is redeeming them. They’re returning home.

In the following sessions, we’ll explore how Pharaoh’s stubborn refusal to release Israel leads to an epic showdown. God’s redeeming work is unstoppable, and his promise to redeem Israel ultimately extends to all creation.

Today’s reading emphasizes one aspect of the biblical concept of redemption: Redemption is about being returned to one’s true family.

Reflection Exercises:

• According to the Redemption video, what does the lamb or the blood of the lamb symbolize?
• How does Deuteronomy 7:7-11 describe God’s reason for redeeming the enslaved Israelites? What does this suggest about God’s character?