TRUE REDEMPTION

 

We only have two messages left in Psalm 111.  Today we are looking at the three truths as presented inverse nine.  To once again summarize, this is a psalm written by Ezra to reintroduce the returnees from Persia Empire to Judah after 70 years of captivity.  They had been allowed to go back by Cyrus in fulfillment of Isaiah 45.  Cyrus is called the Shepherd of his people.  Ezra was mandated with the responsibility to teach the people the customs, language and religion of the people.  He chose to use poetry or an acrostic psalm to do this.  Psalm 111-112 and 119 are these works. 

1.      Ezra begins by stating here that, He provided redemption for His people; Ezra was a Levite and understood the concept of substitution.  In his days that was done through the death and blood of an animal sacrifice.  It was our sin that caused that animal to die and it was their death and blood that provided the means and ways back to God.  The person who sinned would put their hand on the animal before it was slain and confess what they did.  This practice was always one for God’s people.  It started with Adam and Eve when God slew animals and covered them.  Cain, Noah, Abraham, the patriarch’s and it became a practice from Moses to Ezra.  It was also a fulfillment of Gen 3:15 where the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent.

a.      Redemption means, “The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. Vindication.  God's plans for the redemption of his world, absolution.  Also it is the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.”  This is what happened in Ezra’s day. 

b.      A beautiful story of redemption is found in the book of Ruth where Boaz redeemed or bought a field and Ruth was part of the deal.  In ancient Israel if a piece of property went vacate a near relative could redeem or buy back the property for the family.  We also see a custom in ancient Israel where you would exchange a sandal to seal the deal.  This was based on Joshua 1:3. 

c.      This verse is also a prophetic verse talking about future redemption.  Jesus would become the redeemer of mankind by allowing His body to be broken and His blood to be shed.  His death, burial and resurrection bought us salvation and in a few minutes we will be celebrating this fact for the first time in a year and a half.  There is a chorus, that explains this so beautifully.  “He paid a debt, He did not owe, I owe a debt I could pay, I needed someone to wash my sin away.” 

d.      Jesus gave us eternal and abundant life by His sacrifice.  He was the bridge for our reconnection with God.  He made us a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation a one of a kind new person in Christ.  While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  I love the fact that in one moment a sinner becomes a saint and our eternity is changed from hell to heaven.  It is Amazing Grace.  Talk about judge who paid his son’s fine.

2.      He ordained his covenant forever.  I almost feel that Ezra is harping this thought but He wanted his readers and audience to realize that they were back in Judah because God ordained this covenant forever.  The word ordained has two meanings.  Make (someone) a priest or minister; confer holy orders on and to anoint, install and invest in.  God had set Israel has His representatives, ambassadors and examples for their world.  They were His showcase nation.  They still are. 

a.      The second mean is, To make a decree, rule, command, order or decree officially.  God has made it official that His covenant with Israel and Judah is forever.  There were many questions about why God let this happen.  They had returned and Ezra was there to help re-establish the people according to God’s covenant and agreement.  This was important because the people were starting fresh and this time they needed to do it right.  Ezra was also setting the stage for Jesus to come.  The Jews would be in Judah for another 500 years until Jesus came and they were deported under the Romans.  What is so wonderful is we live in a time when Israel is again a nation and the final days are upon us.   

b.      You and I are part of a new covenant through Jesus Christ.  God has made this with all people it is universal.  Jesus is the means through all may be saved.  The old has passed away the new has come and each day we are becoming new.  Each day is an opportunity to become more like Christ, to do the Father’s will and touch our world in a new way.  Forgetting the past and focusing on the future.  Enjoying the present day which is God’s gift to us.  Live each day for the Lord because this is the only day you have. 

3.      Ezra closes off this verse saying, “Holy and awesome is His name.”  Ezra is again reminding that God is holy.  He is one of a kind, unique.  He is the creator of all.  He is YHWH.  He is above all the false deities set up by demons and man.  They may have been bombarded in their previous world but now they are back in Judah.  They can again be a holy people, separate, be in this world but not of it and pilgrims passing through. 

a.      God is not only holy which is character, nature and essence but awesome.  No words can described God in fact, no language, thought or explanation can adequate described who God is.  He is beyond description to marvelous for words.  His name is above all.  Today we are been added to this wonderful agreement.  Paul says at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue will confess.  There is no other name by which people can be saved.  Jesus is the name above all names.  Yes, there is something about that name.  He is the master, Savior and Lord. 

b.      Let me summarize.  The Lord has provided redemption for His people, He ordained His covenant with forever and He is holy and awesome in His name.  As we conclude I want to remind you that as we prepare for communion that God gave us redemption and salvation through the broken body represented by the bread and the shed blood represented by the juice.  Let us fully enjoy and partake of this wonderful ordinance today.