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)
Like many of us, when we come alongside someone who is struggling, we offer answers and reasons for their pain rather than just listening and loving them. In this section of Scripture, Job cries out for an arbiter, someone to mediate between God and man.
This is one of the earliest cries for a Redeemer found in Scripture.
Job had lost nearly everything; his wealth, his children, his servants, and his health. Now friends have shown up to comfort him, but they are of little comfort. Like many of us, when we come alongside someone who is struggling, we offer answers and reasons for their pain rather than just listening and loving them. In this section of Scripture Job cries out for an arbiter, someone to mediate between God and man. This is one of the earliest cries for a Redeemer found in Scripture.
Job is like the guy in a meeting who is bold enough to say what everyone else is thinking. He recognized the need for a Redeemer who would remove our fear of God and allow us to approach Him, as we don’t find the confidence or ability to do that in ourselves.
How do you react to difficult circumstances? Are you fearful of God? Are you aware that we have a Redeemer, an arbiter, a mediator, and a friend in Jesus Christ?