____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ August 27, 2000 ____________________________________________________ The Plea for a Daysman by Jarrod Jacobs Job chapter nine records one of the speeches Job made while defending himself against Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. This speech in chapter nine is somewhat different from the others. This is because Job does not spend much of his speech responding directly to Bildad and what he has said in chapter eight. In chapter 9, Job devotes his attention to God and His greatness. The questions Job asks in this chapter get to the heart of the matter of sin. In Job 9:1-10, Job declares God's greatness. Here, he asks a question in verse 2, ''...how should man be just with God?'' or (NKJV) ''...how can a man be righteous before God?'' Job is simply asking, ``How can a man maintain that he is in the right and then be in opposition to God?'' Job has maintained all along that he has done nothing that would warrant his present situation, yet, he has been suffering. He then says, ``If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand'' (v. 3). Near the end of this chapter, Job pleads for a ``daysman.'' He says, ``For he (God) is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both'' (Job 9:32-33). In thinking about these statements, Job's point was that he had not sinned in such a way as to warrant what he was enduring. At the same time, how could he, a mere man, talk with God and plead his case. If he tried, he could not ``answer him one of a thousand.'' He would not have a chance in the presence of Almighty God! In this article, we will consider Job's statements, and the answers he needs. Thankfully, because we live on this side of the cross, we can see that Job's plea for a ``daysman'' was answered. Today, we have a ``daysman.'' Who is it? We shall soon see. How Can A Sinful Man Stand Before A Just And Righteous God? How can this be done? Put simply, it cannot happen! God, who ``is light, and in him is no darkness at all'' (1 Jn. 1:5), cannot have fellowship with sin and evil. This is why Isaiah says, ``Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear'' (Isa. 59:1-2). Our sin and error that we have committed separates us from God. In the New Testament, Paul said that all people have sinned (Rom. 3:23). Thus, you and I, because we have sinned, could not stand before the Just and Righteous God of Heaven. He Cannot Answer God One Of A Thousand All Job was saying in Job 9:3 was that man, because he has sinned in God's sight, has no chance of standing before God to give an account of himself. He could not answer God ``one of a thousand.'' He could not stand on an equal plane with God and contend for himself. It would be a complete impossibility! He could not answer one of a thousand questions! Incidentally, this is seen in Job 38-40 when Job was asked, not a thousand questions, but several questions by Almighty God, and Job stood speechless! The Plea For A Daysman As the speech in chapter nine continues, Job declares the power of God (Job 9:4-16). Job was like Paul and Daniel who made it clear that God's power was beyond our comprehension (Eph. 3:20; Rom. 11:33; Dan. 2:20, 4:34-37). Job could not believe that God would condescend to such a one as him. Toward the end of chapter nine, Job considers how far away he is from God (v. 32-35). Job knew that God ``is not a man as I am.'' No, He is not! God is a spirit (Jn. 4:24)! God is in Heaven. Solomon said. ``Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few'' (Ecc. 5:2). God dwells in a place where flesh and blood cannot dwell (1 Cor. 15:50). God is the Holy and Just One who provided a plan for the salvation of man (Jn. 3:16). All things, both visible and invisible were made by God through Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17). Realizing God's greatness and power, Job wishes for a ``daysman.'' What is a daysman? A daysman is an arbitrator, an umpire, or a mediator between two parties. This is one who settles disputes between people. It is one who can identify with the feelings and needs on both sides of a conflict. Perhaps you have heard of an arbitrator being called to settle a dispute between ``labor'' and ``management'' in a certain company or organization. These parties needed one familiar with both sides of the conflict in order to settle the dispute. Why is this so significant that Job wanted a daysman? Because he knew there was a conflict between him and God. Seeing that it was not possible for Job to answer for himself (Job 9:3), he needed an arbitrator, a mediator, to ``lay his hand upon us both.'' Is there such a thing as a ``daysman'' today? Yes! This ``daysman'' is the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says, ``For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus'' (1 Tim. 1:5). He is our ``go-between'' between us and God. He is the one to ``lay his hand upon us both'' because He knows both God and man. ``For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin'' (Heb. 4:15). He came to this world and took on flesh in order to die for us (Jn. 1:14, 18:37; Heb. 10:5; Phil. 2:5-8; Jn. 3:13-16). How wonderful it is that today, we have that mediator between us and God! Was Job asking specifically for Christ in that passage? Probably not. However, his need was just as real! He knew that someone had to stand in his place and appeal to God. Today, Christ does this for us! He is our ``great high priest'' (Heb. 4:14). He ``ever liveth to make intercession'' for us (Heb. 7:25). Conclusion Hebrews 7:25 also says that the only ones Christ makes intercession for are those ``that come to God by him'' i.e. Christians! Seeing that this is true, only Christians have that right to the mediator, the daysman, between us and God. Are you a Christian? If not, why not? To have someone stand in your place and plead your case before God is one of the greatest spiritual blessings there is! Why not become a Christian now (2 Cor. 6:2)? -- Via The Watchman, September 1998 ___________________________________________ The Beatitudes Restated -- Mt. 5:1-12 by Jim R. Everett ``Well, I understand what you are saying but I cannot put it into words'' -- not a true statement. In order to understand an idea accurately, one must be able to phrase that concept in his own words -- comprehension is framed in language. I try to see how well Bible students understand God's word by getting them to restate what I have been trying to teach them from the text. I find that kind of exchange sometimes amusing, sometimes amazing, and sometimes encouraging but always beneficial. I labor under the delusion, at times, that I am doing an excellent job in teaching God's word. Then I am shocked into reality with my inadequacy when I learn that what is being understood, if any understanding at all, in the minds of the student is not what I intended to convey -- the feedback doesn't come close to resembling what I believe the text is saying. That is one advantage of a bible class arrangement of teaching over the lecture type (sermons). Here is my challenge to you in order to see how well you understand kingdom character -- rephrase the ``beatitudes'' in your own words. Try doing that yourself, before observing how I restated them. Understand that neither one of us is trying to improve on what Jesus is saying or how He said it -- that cannot be done -- but we are trying to see how well we understand the concept Jesus was teaching. Restating the beatitudes (jre): 1. I can't do it by myself -- ``blessed are the poor in spirit.'' 2. I'm sorry -- ``blessed are they that mourn.'' 3. I give my will to Christ -- ``blessed are the meek.'' 4. I've got to know -- ``blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness.'' 5. I understand because I have been there -- ``blessed are the merciful.'' 6. I have one single purpose in life -- ``blessed are the pure in heart.'' 7. I want to be right with God and I want you to be right -- ``blessed are the peacemakers.'' 8. They also hated my Lord -- ``blessed are those persecuted for righteousness sake.'' In each of the beatitudes there is essential, pre-kingdom disposition -- these people and only these people can be a part of His kingdom. The beatitudes present a composite picture of kingdom character -- not one characteristic can be isolated from the other without destroying what Jesus is teaching. How well do you understand? Are you fit for the kingdom? How much are you like The King? ___________________________________________ Write today for a FREE Bible Correspondence Course ___________________________________________ Shortsuffering by Dan S. Shipley The coined word ``shortsuffering'' won't be found in a dictionary, but the disposition it pictures is much in evidence, even among God's people. In it is conveyed an idea that is readily apparent to most Bible students. Whereas longsuffering primarily describes patience with people, shortsuffering is the very opposite. He will not long tolerate that which he finds objectionable in others. He seeks hasty retaliation and prompt punishment for all real or imagined wrongs suffered. He is apt to give someone a ``piece'' of his mind or to ``get them told'' with little if any forethought or gentleness--and even take pride in having done so. The shortsufferer not only falls short in his ``suffering with,'' but in many other things at the same time. For instance, the shortsufferer falls short in partaking of the divine nature (2PE. 1:4). Peter writes of how Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example in that when he was reviled, he reviled not again and in suffering, threatened not (1PE. 2:21-22). Our Example did not sin to deserve such treatment and neither did he any sin to revenge such treatment. Such conduct was in exact harmony with his teaching. He said, ``...do good to them that hate you, bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you'' (LUK. 6:27-28). And how much more benevolent ought we to be to those who do less? God's longsuffering ``waited in the days of Noah'' (1PE. 3:20) and it waits again, enduring vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction (ROM. 9:22). God waits for men to repent. Should His people do less? We need a longsuffering God. Most of us need longsuffering brethren to bear with our weaknesses. How can we afford to be short on what we need them to be long on? The divine nature is longsuffering to all (1TH. 5:14). In addition, the shortsufferer shows himself to be short on love (1CO. 13:4). Love sees the objectionable, but loves anyway. On the longsuffering of love William Barclay says it ``expresses a certain attitude toward people which never loses patience with them, however unreasonable they may be, and which never loses hope for them, however unlovely and unteachable they may be.'' Unlike shortsuffering, love is ever considerate. It is the antidote for this and a multitude of similar sins. Nothing stretches suffering like love. Further, the shortsufferer is short on what it takes to be an effective teacher. Our reproving, rebuking and exhorting is to be done with all longsuffering (2TI. 4:2). Not all learners are of the Cornelius and Lydia type. Many come to learn with obnoxious habits, warped concepts, sins, prejudices and other things that might be distasteful to teachers. This is no place for the shortsufferer. If we have to get every student ``shaped-up'' before we begin to teach, then what and who will we teach? To be sure, the shortcomings of the shortsufferer are numerous and serious. Wouldn't it be tragic not to recognize such a sin in self; or, seeing it, not to care? -- Via Plain Talk, November 1975 ________________________________________ Avondale CHURCH OF CHRIST P.O. Box 421 1606 Glen Willow Rd., Avondale, PA 19311 (610) 268-2088 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 11:00 A.M. Worship 6:00 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:00 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://www.mypage.onemain.com/tedwards/avondale ________________________________________