Job: Non-exhaustive on Zoom Bible Study V
From tonite
32 For He is not a man, as I am, that I may answer Him—
That we may go to [a]court together!
33 There is no arbitrator between us,
Who can place his hand upon us both.
Job 9: 32-33
Footnotes a Job 9:32 Lit judgment
Who can place his hand upon us both. New American Standard Bible (NASB).
My references
I agree with my friend, the Job professor, (paraphrased with my theological emphasis) that this is a Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) allusion to Jesus Christ, God the Son, the God Man. This is Jesus Christ as mediator to humanity through his applied gospel, atoning work and resurrection for believers. The professor notes that Job's desire is less theological and more practical justice.
The professor noted Hebrews.
My references
Hebrews 9:15
For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. New American Standard Bible (NASB).
Hebrews 8:6
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, to the extent that He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. New American Standard Bible (NASB).
Hebrews 12:24
...and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. New American Standard Bible (NASB).
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Clines views Job here, and his answer to Bildad, somewhat differently...
'...God is not a man (32), that there is no one in a position above God to arbitrate and settle the dispute he has with God about his vindication.' (528).
'It is not a mediator between himself and God he wants (cf. AV 'a daysman') (Authorized Version, my add), but someone who can impose his will upon God.' (528).
Realizing that such as hope is in vain, why does he not give in with good grace and resolve to put a brave face on his suffering and smile (27)? Because as soon as one suffering is past, another takes its place....' (528).
Clines is stating that Job is not charging God with injustice in general (528). Instead, Job seeks personal vindication from his present suffering. (528). On this point, in agreement in a sense with the Zoom professor, that Job's desire for an arbitrator is more for practical justice than theological.
It would be quite speculative to reason Job was theologically, via divine revelation, foreshadowing the future gospel work of Jesus Christ as mediator. However, Job's documented words from the author of Job, in regards to an arbitrator between God and humanity, do indeed practically, from a human perspective, foreshadow the gospel work of Jesus Christ.
BOICE, JAMES, MONTGOMERY (1981) Foundations of the Christian Faith, Downers Grove, IVP Press
BRUCE, F.F. (1986) ‘Revelation’, in F.F. Bruce (gen.ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/ Zondervan.
FEE, GORDON D. AND DOUGLAS STUART (1982) How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.
CLINES, DAVID J. A. (1986) Job, The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
CLINES, DAVID J. A. (1986) Proverbs, The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
DUNNETT, WALTER M. (2001) Exploring The New Testament, Wheaton, Crossway Books.
ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic.
FEE, GORDON (1987) The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
GUNDRY, ROBERT (1981) A Survey of the New Testament, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
HUGHES, PHILIP, EDGCUMBE (1990) A Commentary On The Epistle To The Hebrews, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1990) The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
