Introduction:
The
biblical idea of liberation or liberty (freedom) has its background the thought
of imprisonment or slavery. Rulers would
imprison those whom they regarded as wrongdoers (Gen.39:20); a conquered nation
might be enslaved by its conqueror, or a prisoner of war by its captor, or an
individual might, like Joseph, be sold into slavery. When the Bible speaks of liberty, a prior
bondage is always implied. Liberation
means the happy state of having been released from servitude for a life of
enjoyment and satisfaction that was not possible before. The one who liberates the captives, or
oppressed is called the liberator.
