BibleProject Podcast: How Does Redemption Work in the Passover and Jubilee?

Release Date: June 16, 2025

The BibleProject Podcast delves deep into the intricate themes of the Bible and theology, offering listeners thoughtful and comprehensive explorations of biblical narratives and concepts. In the episode titled "How Does Redemption Work in the Passover and Jubilee?", hosts Tim and John engage in a profound discussion on the multifaceted concept of redemption as depicted in the Hebrew Bible, particularly focusing on the Passover and Jubilee traditions.

Introduction to Redemption

[00:04] Tim:
Tim opens the conversation by defining redemption at its core as the transfer of possession. He explains, "Redemption, at its core is a way to talk about the transfer of possession. So if something belongs to me but is not in my possession, and I take it back, that transfer, that's a redemption." He emphasizes that while redemption can pertain to tangible assets like land or freeing a family member from slavery, the Bible presents a more profound form: cosmic redemption. This ultimate redemption involves humanity's liberation from sin and death, orchestrated by God.

[01:06] John:
John adds depth by interpreting the Jubilee laws: "It's Yahweh saying, I'll let you sustain your little economic fictions about you owning land and owning each other for a little while, but remember, ultimately, the land is mine." He underscores that God's intention is to restore rightful possession, emphasizing that all land and people ultimately belong to Him.

Redemption in the Jubilee Year

The Jubilee year is a pivotal institution in understanding biblical redemption.

[11:25] John:
John provides an overview of the Jubilee Year based on Leviticus 25, describing it as a divinely ordained system for social and economic reset. He explains, "In the seventh year, it will be a Sabbath of total rest for the land, a Sabbath for Yahweh. Don't sow the land, don't prune your vineyards, don't reap a harvest. Just let the land be in its natural state."

[15:18] John:
He further elaborates on the cyclical nature of the Jubilee, stating, "Every seven years, you're giving it back. And every seven times seven years, you add an extra year of rest. So every seven times seven years, you have the seventh year, and then you get the... the 50th year is... the year of Jubilee."

[16:14] Tim:
Tim highlights the social implications: "In their experience, [people] would sell themselves into debt slavery, work for another, and then in the Jubilee year, anything that had been transferred — land or people — would revert to their original families."

[20:22] Tim:
He summarizes the essence, "It's the seventh year and every 49th year, same with land. And it's called a redemption."

Key Insights:

• Possession and Ownership: The Jubilee underscores that land and people are ultimately God's, and human ownership is temporary and conditional.
• Social Justice: By mandating the return of land and the release of debt slaves, the Jubilee promotes economic equality and prevents long-term disparities.
• Eden Ideal: John connects the Jubilee to the Garden of Eden, portraying it as an attempt to restore humanity to its original, divinely intended state.

Redemption in the Passover Narrative

Transitioning to the Passover, Tim and John explore its role in the broader redemption theme.

[32:16] Tim:
Tim emphasizes that in the Exodus, Pharaoh appears to own the Israelites, but in reality, he does not. "Pharaoh, while functionally owns them, but in reality, he doesn't."

[33:00] John:
John recounts the Passover story from Exodus 12, illustrating how the blood of the Passover lamb serves as a substitute for the firstborn sons, symbolizing redemption: "The blood of that lamb will stand in the gap so that the firstborn child of that house doesn't get taken by the plague."

[41:00] Tim:
He reflects on the harshness of the judgment, stating, "The logic of Passover is saying that is."

[42:05] John:
John connects Passover to broader doctrinal themes, "In Genesis 9:6, which is the one who sheds the blood of a human by humans. His blood will be shed because God made humans in his image."

Key Insights:

• Substitutionary Atonement: The Passover lamb's blood serves as a metaphor for substitution, where an innocent life is offered in place of others.
• Divine Justice: The narrative underscores that while God is just and holds humanity accountable, He also provides a means for redemption.
• Messianic Foreshadowing: John links the Passover to Christian theology, suggesting that Jesus' sacrifice mirrors the lamb's role in Passover as a means of redemption.

Interconnectedness of Redemption Themes

Tim and John weave together the Jubilee and Passover narratives to present a cohesive understanding of redemption in the Hebrew Bible.

[52:08] John:
John explains, "The Exodus story functions as Torah instruction to teach us about who are the pharaohs really?"

[53:03] Tim:
Tim adds, "Pharaoh is the kind of Lord who just says, I own all life and I'll just end life where I see fit and let it thrive under enslavement where I see fit."

[54:18] John:
John reflects on human complicity, "The Israelites are with you, whom you already possess, but you have come under wrongful possession of death and the snake and of Pharaoh."

[56:14] Tim:
He summarizes, "That's the inevitable consequence of just violence."

[58:15] John:
John ties it back to Christian theology, "Yahweh becomes human to offer his life in the place of the people whom he already possesses, but who have come under wrongful possession of death and the snake and of Pharaoh."

Key Insights:

• Universal Guilt and Redemption: Both Jubilee and Passover highlight that redemption is not just about individual or group liberation but addresses a universal human condition of sin and death.
• Role of Divine Intervention: Redemption requires divine action, whether through legislative resets like the Jubilee or sacrificial acts like the Passover.
• Continuity of Biblical Narrative: The themes of redemption in the Old Testament lay the groundwork for understanding New Testament teachings, particularly the role of Jesus as the ultimate redeemer.

Conclusion and Forward Look

In wrapping up the episode, Tim and John reflect on the complexity and depth of biblical redemption.

[59:08] Tim:
Tim concludes, "So I think where I get hung up a little bit is in trying to really understand the logic of Passover because the firstborns of Israel were never at fault. They were the ones that God was rescuing."

[59:34] Tim:
He acknowledges the discomforting aspects, "It feels strange to us. But that is what Passover is about."

[59:56] John:
John ties the discussion to broader biblical themes, "The future implications of this is every person in those houses, they belong to Yahweh. And then symbolically, especially the firstborn sons."

[60:07] Tim:
He looks ahead to future episodes, "Next week we continue our study on redemption and we're gonna go to an unfamiliar place in the Torah, some laws around the cities of refuge where a murderer can flee from a Blood Avenger."

Takeaway: The episode offers a comprehensive examination of biblical redemption, intertwining the practices of Passover and Jubilee to reveal a profound theological framework. Redemption, as presented, is a multifaceted concept addressing personal, communal, and cosmic dimensions, ultimately pointing towards a narrative of liberation, justice, and restoration orchestrated by the divine.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim [00:04]:
  "Redemption, at its core is a way to talk about the transfer of possession."

• John [01:06]:
  "Yahweh is restoring things to rightful possession."

• John [05:03]:
  "Put the land into a shopping cart, wheeling it to the cashier."

• Tim [20:25]:
  "It's called a redemption."

• John [45:28]:
  "Every first offspring birthed by a domestic animal, they will be for Yahweh, that is, offer it as a sacrifice."

• John [58:15]:
  "The Son of Man didn't come to be a Pharaoh like Lord, right to rule over the nations do, but to be a servant and to give his life as a means of redemption for many."

Looking Ahead: Join Tim and John in the next episode as they delve into the Cities of Refuge, exploring laws that provide protection for those fleeing from retribution, further expanding the Bible's comprehensive vision of redemption and justice.

About BibleProject: BibleProject is a crowdfunded nonprofit dedicated to helping people experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus. All their resources, including videos, articles, podcasts, and classes, are freely accessible at bibleproject.com.