There is no mediator between us.

“If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together.” Job 9:33

After our devotional on the breastplate of righteousness this morning, I read Job 9, and I saw something new: Within every human heart there is a desire for connection, understanding, and for mediation between ourselves and God. Job’s words echo through the ages, resonating with our need for someone who can bridge the immense gap between our frailty and God’s perfect justice. Job laments, “There is no mediator between us.” How desperately he yearns for someone to stand in that space, to represent him before the Almighty. This yearning is not without precedent; God has always provided ways for His people to reach Him. He appointed Moses to speak for the Israelite, shielding them from the overwhelming power of His presence. He established the priesthood, creating a pathway for the people to present their needs to God, while also sending prophets to convey His words to mankind. Yet, despite these provisions, the chasm between God’s holiness and our human frailty remains stark.

Job asks in Job 9:2: “How can anyone be right with God?” This query highlights our struggle. Romans 3:20 reminds us that “no one can be justified by the works of the law,” showing our inability to earn our way into righteousness. Our sin separates us from God, yet we find hope in the message of 1 Corinthians 6:11, which declares that we can be washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In our weakness, we face another gap: the difference between God’s unmatched strength and our own limitations. Job acknowledges the immense power of God in Job 9:4, stating, “He is wise and powerful. Who can harden themselves against Him and prosper?” Our own strength pales in comparison, but Phil 4:13 gives us assurance: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

In our pursuit of understanding God, we often find ourselves grappling with our limited perception. Job 9:11 says “He goes by me, and I do not see Him.” In a world filled with uncertainty, Christ came to reveal God, making the invisible visible and tangible. Our understanding of God transcends mere descriptions; it is found in our experience of His love and grace. We also wrestle with hearing God’s call amid the noise of life. Job 9:16 expresses a doubt many of us have felt: “If I called and He answered me, I wouldn’t believe that He listened to my voice.” 2 Cor 5:19 reassures us that “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself.” The greatest evidence of God’s presence and love is found in Jesus, who embodies the message of reconciliation.

As we contemplate the ultimate judgement, we feel the weight of our sin. Job acknowledges in Job 9:32 that God is not a mere man like us, making it impossible for us to stand before Him in our own righteousness. But here lies our hope: 1 John 2:1 proclaims, “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” In Rom 8:34, we are reminded that it is Christ who died, who was raised, and who intercedes for us at the right hand of God.

Oh, thank God for the bible, we see the heart of God yearning to connect with us. 1 Tim 2:5-6 declares, “There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all.” This is the Good News! The mediator for whom Job longed is here—Jesus, the compassionate advocate who bridges the gap and lovingly favours the weak. Let us embrace this truth with gratitude, recognising the depth of His love and the profound gift of reconciliation He offers to each of us.