I like visiting charity shops and centres that deal in pre-loved items. Not only is it good for the environment but it is expedient that we as caretakers of God's planet, do not waste energy or resources. Jesus never wasted anything [see John 6:12].
I would like to think that we get maximum use out of the things we manufacture and that is why we have second-hand shops. However, I do know some are 'pawn' shops. These are shops that collect items of value from people as security on a loan they give to them. If the loan is not repaid on time, that valuable item now belongs to the lenders and often then gets sold. There are rare and good quality items to be bought at those places also but sometimes I wonder at the sense of loss the original owners might feel in parting with some pieces. Especially those that seem so personal and of 'priceless' emotional value.
There are concepts we might find difficult to understand in the Bible simply because the terms used are from a different culture or era but the principles are not strange. They are just, maybe, situated differently One of those concepts is that of the Hebrew 'gā’al'. It is translated as 'redeem' in all English translations and that is about right.
In Psalm 103, David instructs his soul not to forget the benefits of having YHWH (God) citing in verse
4 ''who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,''
as one of the benefits.
To redeem means to buy back a thing, animal or person.
It is the same word used by God in this passage in Exodus 6:6:
“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.
and here:
“‘If one of your fellow Israelites becomes poor and sells some of their property, their nearest relative is to come and redeem what they have sold.'' Leviticus 25:25
From these scriptures, it is easy to understand what David means by ''''who redeems your life from the pit.''. He means God buys back his life. Now the word 'pit' used is the Hebrew word 'šaḥat' which is translated ''pit, dungeon; corruption, decay'' from a root word which means ' sink down or leads down.' [BibleGateway.com]
Other word uses explain the 'pit' as death, hell or destruction.
Whichever the case, the sentiment is the same, God buys back from certain destruction.
The Apostle Paul said in Romans 5:12 :
''Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—''.
With Adam (the first human(s) who sinned) came a sentence of death on all their offspring which happens to be all of us. But God who 'buys back lives from the pit'', came up with a solution. His solution is this other (first) humankind who would pay the price/penalty to redeem these lives from destruction: Jesus the Messiah. The greater beauty is such that, as Paul continued,
''So that one sin of Adam brought the punishment of death to all people. But in the same way, Christ did something so good that it makes all people right with God. And that brings them true life. One man disobeyed God and many became sinners. But in the same way, one man obeyed God and many will be made right.'' Romans 5:18 -19 ERV
This is his ultimate act of love and compassion! God was in Jesus buying us back to himself and not counting our sins against us!
Hell is real. Destruction of all sin is certain. But God's compassion and love have covered it all for all who will accept his redemption. You are bought back from death, destruction and hell! You are spiritually and legally FREE! God does not hold anything against you and neither can 'the accuser' condemn you. The price for your sins has been paid.
And yes this not only includes redemption from spiritual death but all the destruction that originated from that dark path of life we walked in.
''So if the Son (Jesus) sets you free, you will be free indeed.''John 8:36
''For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.'' John 3:17-18
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