removal of his merited wrath. In Ephesians 2:16 it is clear that the apostle
does not refer to the winning back of the sinner in love and loyalty to God,
but to the restoration of God’s forfeited favour. This is effected by his
justice being satisfied, so that he can, in consistency with his own nature,
be favourable toward sinners. Justice demands the punishment of sinners.
The death of Christ satisfies justice, and so reconciles God to us. This
reconciliation makes God our friend, and enables him to pardon and save
us. (See ATONEMENT.)
- RECORDER (Hebrews mazkir, i.e., “the mentioner,” “rememberancer”),
the office first held by Jehoshaphat in the court of David (2 Samuel 8:16),
also in the court of Solomon (1 Kings 4:3). The next recorder mentioned is
Joah, in the reign of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:18, 37; Isaiah 36:3, 22). In the
reign of Josiah another of the name of Joah filled this office (2 Chronicles
34:8). The “recorder” was the chancellor or vizier of the kingdom. He
brought all weighty matters under the notice of the king, “such as
complaints, petitions, and wishes of subjects or foreigners. He also drew
up papers for the king’s guidance, and prepared drafts of the royal will for
the scribes. All treaties came under his oversight; and he had the care of the
national archives or records, to which, as royal historiographer, like the
same state officer in Assyria and Egypt, he added the current annals of the
kingdom.” - REDEEMER Hebrews goel; i.e., one charged with the duty of restoring the
rights of another and avenging his wrongs (Leviticus 25:48, 49; Numbers
5:8; Ruth 4:1; Job 19:25; Psalm 19:14; 78:35, etc.). This title is peculiarly
applied to Christ. He redeems us from all evil by the payment of a ransom
(q.v.). (See REDEMPTION.) - REDEMPTION the purchase back of something that had been lost, by the
payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word
occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or
price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45).
There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use
of lutron in man’s relation to man (Leviticus 19:20; 25:51; Exodus 21:30;
Numbers 35:31, 32; Isaiah 45:13; Proverbs 6:35), and in the same sense of
man’s relation to God (Numbers 3:49; 18:15).
There are many passages in the New Testament which represent Christ’s
sufferings under the idea of a ransom or price, and the result thereby