Job Chapter 9: Verses 32-33 (NLT Translation)
1 Timothy Chapter 2: Verses 5-6 (NLT Translation)
- God is not a mortal like me,
so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.
If only there were a mediator between us,
someone who could bring us together.
- For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – The man Jesus Christ. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message that God gave to the world at just the right time.
Earlier, in Job chapter 2 we read that God commends Job’s righteous life. But Job was not perfect – he was human after all. Even in his righteousness he would at some point have committed sins, however small, that would need to be atoned for. The book of Romans tells us that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. (Romans 3:23)
In this chapter, Job is in deep despair at his situation and doesn’t feel that he has the right to come before God to make his case. He wishes that there could be a mediator to speak for him; someone to intervene on his behalf. Job doesn’t realise that he is in fact prophesying about one of the reasons that Jesus came – to offer Himself as a substitute on our behalf and to intervene for us.
Even yet Jesus continues to make representation for us. The apostle John writes in his first letter, “My dear children, I am writing to you so that you do not sin. But if anyone does in, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins – and not only our sins but the sins of the world.” (1 John 2:1-2 NLT Translation)
Because of Jesus we need never lose hope, even if we feel we are in circumstances that are just as dire as Job’s was. The temptation is to stay away from God when we feel this way, Like Job, we may at times feel abandoned or even neglected. But Job didn’t want to stay away from God, just the opposite in fact. He wanted to speak with God about his situation, and as we see later in the book, he did. And because Jesus makes representation for us, we can too.
We can receive mercy and grace for every circumstance, but we need to come and ask. Sometimes our pride stops us from humbling ourselves to do that. But on the other hand, what comfort, peace and strength we miss out on!
Dear Lord,
Thank You that the Bible tells us in the book of Hebrews, that in Jesus we have a High Priest who understands our weaknesses. Thank You for the mercy, grace and reconciliation that comes through Him. Thank You that He never condemns, only offers forgiveness. Condemnation always comes either from others or ourselves. It’s a tool used by satan to keep us away from that grace. Thank You for making a way for us to draw near to You without fear. May I never take that for granted.
I pray in and through Jesus’ Name. Amen.