What was the Jewish rule about redeeming a mortgaged land before foreclosure?
According to Jewish custom, if a Jew mortgaged his land and could not pay it off, just before foreclosure a next of kin could redeem it. The redeemer had to be a close relative, as illustrated in the book of Ruth.
Les explains that this requires going back to Jewish history and custom, especially as seen in the book of Ruth. If a Jew mortgaged his land and became incapable of paying it off, just before foreclosure a next of kin could redeem it. The redeemer had to be a close relative, like a rich uncle, but specifically a next of kin. This background illuminates Revelation 5, where Christ alone is worthy to open the mortgage and pay it off.