Jehovah Provides "a Ransom in Exchange for Many" -Conclusion of Ransom an Equivalent

Significantly,the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament observes that this word (ko'pher) "always denotes and equivalent," or a correspondency.  Thus, the cover of the ark of the covenant had a shape responding to the ark itself.  Likewise, in order to ransom, or cover, sin, a price must be paid that fully corresponds to, or fully covers, the damage caused by the sin.  God's Law to Israel thus stated:  "Soul will be for soul, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." -Deuteronomy 19:21. 

Men of faith from Abel onward offered animal sacrifices to God.  In so doing, the demonstrated their awareness of sin and of the need for redemption, and they showed their  faith in God's promised liberation through his "seed."  (Genesis 3:15; 4:1-4; Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews  11:4) Jehovah looked upon such sacrifices with favor and granted these worshipers a good standing. Nevertheless, animal offerings were, at best,  a mere token.  Animals could not really cover man's sin, for they are inferior to humans. (Psalm 8:4-8) Hence, the Bible says:  "It is not possible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take sins away."  (Hebrews 10:1-4)  Such sacrifices were only pictorial, or symbolic, of the true ransom sacrifice that was to come.  

Next time:  Jehovah Provides "a Ransom in Exchange for Many" - "A Corresponding Ransom" 

From the book: Draw Close to Jehovah