The Law of Kinsman Redeemer

The law of kinsman redeemer contained several different obligations or duties, one of which is commonly referred to as the Levirate Marriage (from the Latin, levi �a husband�s brother). According to this law, if a man in Israel died without leaving his wife a son, it was the DUTY of the deceased man�s NEAREST RELATIVE (if he lived nearby) to marry his dead brother�s wife and raise a son by her in his dead brother�s name.

If the brother refused (which was considered highly disgraceful), we waived all ownership rights to the inheritance of the deceased brother (which he would have received had he married his dead brother�s wife; though they would have gone to the sons conceived by the dead brother�s wife when they reached manhood). If the brother refused, or he himself died, the duty passed to the next nearest brother. (See Genesis 38:8; Ruth 1:1-10; Matthew 22:23-33)

Now, further duties were involved beyond the marriage itself. As mentioned a child was to be sired and raised with the widow in the name of the dead brother, so the deceased brother�s name would never cease among Israel.

It was considered a curse to have one�s name cease, since that was part of the punishment of those guilty of heinous sins who were �cut off� from among Israel. (This can be paralleled in the New Testament with being put out or excommunicated)

Further, if the dead brother (or his surviving wife) had sold his property, it was the OBLIGATION of the living brother to buy back the property. Included with marrying the dead brother�s wife, and buying back the property, were also inherent responsibilities which came with each; such as, the protection of the wife, and the protection of the property (which included chasing off any SQUATTERS who may have unlawfully made their residence there).

If there was no brother, or if the brother refused or died, the duty then passed on the NEXT NEAREST relative (through a distinct order of procession: full blood brothers first, then his father�s brothers (uncles) second, then his father�s brother�s sons (cousins) third, and finally any other relative. (See Leviticus 25:47-49)

It should further be noted that the word translated �redeemer,� in Hebrew means �to be the next of kin� and the translation or understanding of the Hebrew word (#1350, gaw-AL) as �redeemer� CAN ONLY BE UNDERSTOOD AND IS ONLY VALID WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE WORD�S LITERAL MEANING �TO BE THE NEXT OF KIN.� Not only was the �redeeming next of kin� duty bound to buy back any property which was sold, but also, it was his duty to buy back any LIVING brother, if his brother had sold himself into slavery to provide for his family.

A further duty of the �nearest kin� was also to be the �avenger of blood.� (#3150 (gaw-AL�) is also translated avenger, and NOT JUST REDEEMER. See Numbers 35:12-34; Deuteronomy 19:6, 12, and Joshua 20:3-9) In this case, if a man is killed by another, it was the OBLIGATION (According to the Law of God) of the nearest of kin to avenge the blood of the slain. (No doubt, this is the origin of the carnally-twisted stereotypical feuding of the �Hatfield�s� and the �McCoy�s�) The killer could flee to any one of six designated CITIES OF REFUGE, whereupon he would be judged by the priest of the city. If he was indeed guilty of murder, he would be delivered to the avenging kinsman, who would cast the first stone.

If he was innocent of murder, but still guilty of involuntary manslaughter (an accident) he was to remain within the city of refuge until the high priest of that jurisdiction died; if he left before then, the avenger would still, by law, be allowed to take this man�s life. (God�s Laws prevent crime and accidents by creating responsible people. The �golden PARACHUTE� OF RESPONSIBILITY of insurance policies create crime and �accidents.�

Though it is obvious, it should be mentioned that THE ONLY WAY ONE could be a Kinsman Redeemer, is if a person was:

1). A man;

2). An Israelite;

3). Of the self-same tribe; and further

4). Of the same family.

This is how Christ Yahshua alone could be the Kinsman Redeemer solely of all the true sons of Israel. Adam and his descendants are called the SONS OF GOD (Adam being the first son of God; Luke 3:38) However, Christ was the ONLY begotten Son of God; though Adam was FORMED, Christ WAS BORN AND ISSUED FORTH FROM GOD THE FATHER HIMSELF.

Though God BREATHED INTO Adam the breath of life, (Though God breathed into man the breath of life making him a living soul, this spirit was somehow affected by the fall, it is restored to some degree when one received the Holy Spirit. For Christ Himself BREATHED on His disciples and said, �Receive ye the Spirit.� John 20:22)

Christ WAS the VERY BREATH OF GOD HIMSELF. This is how Christ could redeem us; for, in one sense, He is our Brother, our next of kin. This is why we are called JOIN THEIRS with him.

God gave the earth to the sons of Adam; (Psalm 115:16) but due to the fall of Adam�s race, they lost possession of the earth, in which evil n ow rules. Israel (the one pure representatives of Adam which are left) was then chosen by God, and promised the land of Canaan; however, it was only a stopping place for Israel on its way to the real Promised land. For Canaan land could never have supported a people that were promised by God to be as the sands of the sea, (Genesis 22:17; 32:12; Isaiah 10:22; Hosea 1:10; Hebrews 11:12) as the stars in the sky, (Genesis 15:5) as the dust of the earth. (Genesis 13:16; 28:14)

God cast them out of Canaan land to their final promised land because He inserted a sub-clause in the Contract which stated that if Israel sinned, God would punish her with the rods of men (since God�s people refused to remain under God�s rod/rule, they were once more given a taste of what it is like to be ruled by non-Israelites) and part of this rule-punishment was being cast out of the land and scattered throughout the earth.

Christ is NOT ONLY THE REDEEMING KINSMAN who has paid the sin ransom-debt (since Israel sold herself to sin), but He is also the Avenging Kinsman who avenges both our death and our abuse, at the hands of Satan and his children.

Ironically, man himself was an accomplice with Satan in both the murder of the first Adam, and the murder of the Second Adam (Christ; Yahshua). God�s SONS (Adam/Israel) not only contributed to their own death, but they also contributed to the death of God�s Son, Christ Yahshua. Only those who flee to the Son of God (Psalm 2:12; 1 Timothy 2:5) (our city of refuge) for protection, and grab hold of the horns of the altar (the stake, sprinkled with the blood of the Lamb of God by our High Priest; (Christ; Yahshua), are safe from vengeance.

In one sense, as we exit IN CHRIST (God the Father, the next of kin); and since Christ our High Priest will never die; this is how we are to live daily and forever: IN CHRIST.

In another sense though we fled to the city of refuge, the High Priest (Yahshua the Christ) died, and we were set free from the wrath of the Avenger (God Himself) and are permitted to travel freely without fear; this is our salvation! This is a great mystery revealed!

However, those who have refused to seek refuge in Christ, will experience the full wrath of the Avenger. (John 3:36) Outside of our city of refuge (Christ), there IS NO HOPE for those guilty of the blood of Son of God. Only those who flee to the city of refuge (Christ) are protected and considered INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, (This is the origin of both the English and American Common Law, and the American Justice system (which once existed).

However, there will be some on that day who hear Christ pronounce, �Depart from me, I never knew you!� (Matthew 7:23)

Finally, Satan himself has had the death sentence placed upon him and his children for their part in the crimes of the murder of God�s Israel Children, and the murder of God�s Only Begotten Son Yahshua the Christ; and Satan has an OUTSTANDING DEATH WARRANT on him; and though he is at LARGE he has been mortally wounded, and will one day be judged in the sight of all his victims and received his everlasting judgment. (Exodus 17:14-16; Numbers 16:26; 24:20-22; Deuteronomy 32:42-43; Judges 5:31; Job 11:20; 18:5-21; 21:17-18; 21:30; Psalm 1:4-6; 9:5-6; 9:16-17; 11:5-6; 31:17-18; 34:21; 37:9-22; 37:34-38; 50:16-21; 58:10; 68:1-2; 74:22-23; 75:10; 92:7-11; 94:13; 101:7-8; 104:35; 106:18; 112:10; 139:19-22; 145:20; Proverbs 1:22-32; 2:22; 5:22-23; 10:30; 11:5-8; 13:9; 21:7; 24:20; 1 Esdras 4:37; 1 Maccabees 3:5; 2 Maccabees 6:13; 8:4; The Book of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus, 39:30; Enoch 2:1; 68:41; 94:3; Jasher 89:22; Barnabas 10:5; 12:9; Book 1 [Book of Watchers]; Hermas 5[13]:6; Book of Jubilees; 16:4-7; Ecclesiastes 11:1; Isaiah 1:24; 11:4; 14:1-5; 34:5-6; 65:15; Jeremiah 8:8-13; 49:7-18; Ezekiel 15:1-8;� 25:2‑14; 35:2‑15; Obadiah 1:1-21; Micah 5:9; Nahum 1:2‑15; Zephaniah 1:3-5; Zechariah 14:21; Malachi 1:3; 4:1; Matthew 3:12; 13:24-30; 13:36-43; 13:47-50; 21:28-31l 21:41; 22:44; Mark 4:11-12; 12:36; Luke 19:14; 19:14; John 5:28-29; 15:6; 19:13-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12; Jude 1:1-12; Revelation 2:9; 3:9)

Further when Christ returns He will avenge the blood of countless millions of His children, bind Satan in his eternal punishment, and root out all of Satan�s children and bind them in everlasting punishment also, (The tares which Satan sowed in among the wheat in God�s field; Matthew 13:25-40) and restore NOT ONLY THE LAND of Israel, BUT THE WHOLE EARTH TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS.