The significance of the Redemption
A family story
Definition
• the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil
The word redeem (for example Exod 13:13) means to free someone or something from harm by paying a price. Jesus is the supreme example of redemption in the Bible. He paid the ultimate price—his very life—to bring freedom from sin and eternal life to all who would put their trust in him, irrespective of background.
The Old Testament
The Exodus
The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for generations. God raised up Moses to confront Pharaoh and lead the people out of bondage through miraculous interventions, including the parting of the Red Sea. This foundational story represents liberation from oppression and God's faithfulness to His covenant.Exodus 1-15 (particularly Exodus 14:13-31 for the Red Sea crossing)
Joseph
Sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, Joseph endured false imprisonment in Egypt. Yet through his faithfulness, he rose to become Pharaoh's second-in-command. Years later, he was able to save his family from famine, telling his brothers that what they meant for evil, God meant for good—a powerful picture of redemption from betrayal.Genesis 37-50 (particularly Genesis 50:20)
Ruth
Ruth, a Moabite widow, showed remarkable loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi by leaving her homeland. Despite her vulnerable position as a foreigner, she found redemption through Boaz, a "kinsman-redeemer" who married her. Ruth became part of the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus, showing how outsiders can be brought into God's family.The Book of Ruth (especially Ruth 1:16-17; 4:13-17)
The New Testament
The Prodigal Son
Jesus told this parable about a son who squandered his inheritance in reckless living. When he returned home in shame, his father ran to embrace him and celebrated his return. This illustrates God's lavish grace and willingness to restore those who turn back to Him.Luke 15:11-32
The Woman at the Well
Jesus engaged a Samaritan woman with a troubled past at a well. Despite cultural barriers {It was a very hostile relationship between Samaritans and Israelis} and her personal rough history, He offered her "living water" and acceptance, transforming her into someone who brought her whole town to meet Him.John 4:1-42
Jesus' family line
..through the entire Bible...
Key Redemptive Stories in Jesus' Family Line:
Each story is a kind of model for the greater plan of redemption. In mathematical terms, the entire work /composition functions like a fractal.Tamar
(Genesis 38)Tamar was widowed twice and denied her right to a kinsman-redeemer by Judah. She disguised herself and conceived twins by Judah himself. Despite the scandalous circumstances, she's included in Jesus' lineage as someone who courageously sought justice when wronged.
Matthew 1:3; Genesis 38:6-30
Rahab
(Joshua 2, 6)A Canaanite prostitute in Jericho who hid Israelite spies and demonstrated faith in Israel's God. She was spared during Jericho's destruction and married Salmon, becoming part of the Messianic line.
Matthew 1:5; Joshua 2:1-21; 6:22-25; Hebrews 11:31
Ruth
(Book of Ruth)As mentioned earlier, a Moabite widow who showed covenant loyalty ( hesed) to Naomi. Boaz redeemed her as kinsman-redeemer, and she became the great-grandmother of King David.
Matthew 1:5; Ruth 1-4
Bathsheba
(2 Samuel 11-12)Described as "Uriah's wife" in Matthew's genealogy, highlighting David's adultery and murder. Yet from this broken situation, God brought Solomon, who would build the Temple. Their later son, Nathan, is in Luke's genealogical line.
Matthew 1:6; 2 Samuel 11:1-12:25
David
(1 Samuel 16 - 1 Kings 2)The shepherd boy anointed king, who defeated Goliath and united Israel. Despite his serious sins (adultery, murder), he was called "a man after God's own heart" because of his repentance and faith.
Matthew 1:6; Acts 13:22; Psalm 51
Solomon
(1 Kings 1-11)Born from David and Bathsheba's restored marriage, Solomon began with great wisdom but later fell into idolatry. Yet he built God's Temple and wrote wisdom literature.
Matthew 1:6-7; 1 Kings 3:5-14
Manasseh
(2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33)One of Judah's most wicked kings who led the nation into idolatry and violence. Yet he repented in captivity, and God restored him—showing no one is beyond redemption.
Matthew 1:10; 2 Chronicles 33:1-20
Characteristics of the redemptive plan
From the perspective of the patterns /modelsSpecific Patterns & Models to Consider
1. God Uses Unlikely PeopleProstitutes, foreigners, adulterers, and sinners are woven into the Messianic line. God doesn't require perfect people—He redeems broken ones.
Matthew unusually includes four women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba) plus Mary. In a patriarchal culture, this emphasizes God's inclusive redemption and that women play vital roles in salvation history.
Rahab (Canaanite), Ruth (Moabite), and possibly Tamar and Bathsheba represent Gentiles in the Jewish Messiah's line—foreshadowing the gospel going to all nations.
Every scandal, failure, and sin in this lineage points forward to Jesus, who would redeem humanity from sin itself. The genealogy doesn't hide shameful moments—it highlights God's redemptive power.
Characters like Ruth and Rahab showed covenant loyalty (hesed/faithfulness) despite their outsider status. David's repentance mattered more than his sinlessness.
Boaz redeeming Ruth models how Jesus becomes our kinsman-redeemer—
From Joseph being sold by his brothers to David's affair with Bathsheba, God works through—not around—human failure to accomplish His purposes.
