Some Of The Bible’s “Pictures Of Redemption”

The Scripture verses cited are examples; in most cases, there are many other illustrative passages. Some of these “pictures” are major themes running from one end of the Bible to the other; some are mentioned only once or twice, almost as an afterthought. All are interesting; all are instructive; all contribute to the full “picture”! (This list is far from exhaustive.)

  1. The redemption, or ransom, of slaves out of the “slave market” (I Cor. 6:20; 7:23; Gal. 3:13; 4:5; Rev. 5:9; 14:3,4).
  2. A shepherd caring for and protecting his flock (Psa. 23; Isa. 40:11; Ezk. 34:23; Luke 15:4; John 10:10-14; Heb. 13:20; I Pet. 2:25).
  3. A washing, or cleansing — paradoxically, sometimes a washing with blood (Isa. 1:18; Heb. 9:22; 10:22; I John 1:7; Rev. 1:5; 7:14).
  4. A new “birth”, a new “creation”, a new beginning (John 3:3,7; II Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15; Eph. 2:10; Tit. 3:5; James 1:18; I Pet. 1:23).
  5. A potter working with clay to produce a vessel (Isa. 45:9; 64:8; Jet 18:1­6; Rom. 9:20-24; II Tim. 2:20,21).
  6. A sacrifice or victim to seal or guarantee a covenant (Matt. 26:27,28; Heb. 9:15-17; 13:20).
  7. The crushing or destruction of a “serpent” (Gen. 3:15; Num. 21; John 3:14; Rom. 16:20).
  8. A bond of reconciliation; a union of those who were previously enemies; a joining together in “one body” (Rom. 12:5; I Cor. 12; Gal. 3:27-29; Eph. 2:13-15; 4:4; Col. 1:22).
  9. The acquittal of an accused, and guilty, criminal (Isa. 50:8,9; Rom. 3:26; 8:31-34; Heb. 7:25; I John 2:1).
  10. The paying of a debt; the forgiving of an offense (Matt. 6:12-15; Mark 11:25; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).
  11. A meal, or feast, of fellowship and joy (Matt. 26:26-28; Luke 14:8-14; I Cor. 11:26-29).
  12. Adoption into a family; the love of a father or mother (Isa. 66:13; Rom. 8:23; 9:4; I Thess. 2:7,11).
  13. A marriage; the love of a bride and a bridegroom (Psa. 45; Song of Songs).
  14. A farmer and his crop; the harvest (Matt. 9:37,38; Matt. 13; 20:1; 21:33,34; Luke 10:2; I Cor. 3:6-9; II Tim. 2:6).
  15. Circumcision; crucifixion: a “cutting off’ or repudiation of the flesh (Jer. 4:4; Rom. 2:25-29; Gal. 5:24; 6:14,15; Col. 2:11).
  16. The running, and winning, of a race (I Cor. 9:24-26; Gal. 2:2; Heb. 12:1,2).
  17. Victory in a battle or war (Psa. 60:12; John 16:33; Rom. 8:37; I Cor. 15:54-57; I John 5:4,5).
  18. The building of a house, a temple, or a city (Eph. 2:21,22; Heb. 3:6; I Pet. 2:5-9; Rev. 3:12).
  19. A fisherman drawing in his net (Matt. 4:18,19; 13:47-49).
  20. A putting on of a new garment (Gal. 3:27; 4:24; Col. 3:10-14).
  21. A moral mandate; a call to action, to repentance and change (Rom. 6:3,4; 12:1,2; Gal. 2:20).
  22. The lifting up, or bearing, of another’s burden (Isa. 58:6; Matt. 8:17; 11:29,30; Rom. 15:1; Gal. 6:2; I Pet. 2:24,25).
  23. Healing of blind, deaf, lame, etc.: the resurrection of the dead (Isa. 35; John 5:21-25; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 2:1-5; Col. 2:13).
  24. A tree producing fruit (Matt. 7:17-19; Mark 11:13,14; Luke 13:6-9; Gal. 5:22,23).
  25. A spring of water (Isa. 55:1; John 4:14; 7:37,38; Rev. 21:6; 22:17).
  26. A rest from labor; the Sabbath day (Isa. 11:10; Heb. 4:9; Rev. 7:14-17).
  27. A “white stone” – i.e., a favorable vote, or approval (Rev. 2:17).
  28. Wages received for work done (Matt. 20:1-8).

Lord willing, some of these “pictures” will be the subjects of subsequent articles in this series.