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.
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).
