In Exodus it was Pharaoh who asked the question, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice?” (Exo. 5:2). Moses would answer with ten plagues “against all the gods of Egypt” (Exo. 12:12). In other words God is a God who will not tolerate a rival for His affections! This is also indicated in the Decalogue: “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exo. 20:1-3). In redemption (physical/spiritual), we see the non-moral essence of the Redeemer. We see God’s omnipresence (His all-seeing eye); omniscience (His perfect knowledge); omnipotence (His complete power); immutability (His unchangeableness). Redemption also allows us to see the moral attributes of the Redeemer. In other words, God is more than just His knowledge and power. God is Holy (Rev. 4:8-11; Isa. 6:3). God is Good (Mark 10:18). God is Righteous (Psa. 89:14; 97:2). These are terms that express the moral nature of a being. This is how the Redeemer describes Himself.
A redeemer implies bondage. Those who have sold themselves into the bondage of Satan through sin need someone outside of that bondage to redeem them. As Moses was sent into Egypt, the Word became flesh (Jho. 1:1-2, 14). This redeemer is deity in general and Jesus in particular. The Father is the great designer/architect of redemption (Eph. 3:9-11), whereas Jesus is the executor/operator of the will of deity (1 Jho. 2:2; 4:10). It was Jesus who came in the flesh; it was Jesus who died on the cross. The Spirit then functions as the organizer/revealer of that plan (2 Pet. 1:21). Man has four basic needs in religion. He needs (1) a priest to represent him before God (Heb. 3:1); (2) A sacrifice to approach God (Heb. 10:12); (3) A prophet to reveal God to him (Jho. 1:18); (4) A King to control his life (Acts 2:36; 5:31). Therefore, let us sing the song of The Great Redeemer (Foster/Beazley):
A redeemer implies bondage. Those who have sold themselves into the bondage of Satan through sin need someone outside of that bondage to redeem them. As Moses was sent into Egypt, the Word became flesh (Jho. 1:1-2, 14). This redeemer is deity in general and Jesus in particular. The Father is the great designer/architect of redemption (Eph. 3:9-11), whereas Jesus is the executor/operator of the will of deity (1 Jho. 2:2; 4:10). It was Jesus who came in the flesh; it was Jesus who died on the cross. The Spirit then functions as the organizer/revealer of that plan (2 Pet. 1:21). Man has four basic needs in religion. He needs (1) a priest to represent him before God (Heb. 3:1); (2) A sacrifice to approach God (Heb. 10:12); (3) A prophet to reveal God to him (Jho. 1:18); (4) A King to control his life (Acts 2:36; 5:31). Therefore, let us sing the song of The Great Redeemer (Foster/Beazley):
“How I love the great Redeemer,
Who is doing so much for me;
With what joy I tell the story,
Of the love that made man free.
He has purchased my redemption,
Rolled my burden of sin away,
And is walking on beside me,
Growing dearer day by day.
Worthy of praise is Christ our Redeemer;
Worthy of glory, honor, and pow’r!
Worthy of all our soul’s adoration,
Worthy art Thou! Worthy art Thou!
Worthy of riches, blessings and honor,
Worthy of wisdom, glory and pow’r!
Worthy of earth and heaven’s thanksgiving,
Worthy art Thou! Worthy art Thou!”
Written By Rick Popejoy
