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In the Old Testament, the Israelite community depended on each other and especially depended on their family. If a person fell on hard times and could not pay their debts, the closest relative with resources would come to the rescue. This relative would redeem (ga-al) or release the person from their indebtedness. 

This was not only the job of a relative; God himself took on that assignment for us. He said through the prophet Isaiah, 

I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

                                                                                                                                                – Isaiah 41:14

We are sinners and cannot pay our debt. Our best efforts fall short, so God did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He is our Ga-al, our Redeemer. He sent his son to release us. Paul wrote in Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV), “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” In Titus 2:14, Paul explained that Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” God is the One who helps us. He is our Redeemer. 

Father,
I am a sinner. I am unable to pay my debt. I am caught in the slavery of sin. Thank you for sending Jesus to release me and set me free. Thank you for being my Redeemer. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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