January 21, 2020-If Only There Were a Mediator

Image by Keith Johnston from Pixabay

Today's Reading: Job 8-11

Job can be kind of a tough book to read through.  On the surface everyone's arguments might seem right, they might make sense but I think Jobhas hit the nail on the head in today's reading.  The New Living TranslationI am reading through this year renders Job 9:33 like this:

​If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. 

Of course what immediately comes to mind when reading that is that thankfully we have Jesus.  
I am not sure however, that mediator is the best translation of the word used here which is closer to the idea of an arbiter, an umpire, or a judge. One who can restrain both parties and judge between them.  I think from the context of this verse that Job is making the point that we mortals have no standing before Almighty God.  He is God and we are not.  We are not even close to being on the same playing field.  We cannot go to an umpire or a judge because none would be qualified to make a judgement against God.  Who can hold God back from what He decides to do?  The answer is no one.

For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him,
    that we should come to trial together.
There is no arbiter between us,
    who might lay his hand on us both.
Let him take his rod away from me,
    and let not dread of him terrify me.
Then I would speak without fear of him,
    for I am not so in myself. (Job 9:32-35, ESV)

This is why I think mediator is a poor choice.  Jesus' role as mediator does not "restrain" God or make a judgement against Him.  Jesus stands in our place-the innocent shed blood in place of the guilty.  Jesus paid the price we owe.  God's judgement of sin remains, our standing before Him has changed because of the work done by Jesus on the cross.  While Jesus is Judge-it is the world He is coming to judge, not God.  And all of this points to why we so desperately need a mediator.  Thank God He has sent us His son.

May grace abound,