Expert: Marvin Howard - 3/21/2006

Question
In the book of Job, Chapter 9: 32-35 Job seems to wish for a mediator between him and God.
My question is: Does Man today have access to the Holy Spirit? If so How does this serve us in our relationship with God?
Thank You,

Carl Springer

Answer
Hi!

Carl, thank you for the question. I have had to study on the first part, as I had never considered this statement from Job in any depth. First, let us study this passage, starting a little before that we may get the context.

Job 9:28-35, "I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent. If I be wicked, why then labor I in vain? If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me. For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman between us, that might lay his hand upon us both. Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me: Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me." (KJV)

I want you to notice a few, specific words in this passage: innocent, ditch, judgment, rod, and fear.

The theme here is unjust judgment. Job knows he is innocent. Even so, he is saying that if he protests this treatment, he will only look worse in the eyes of God. He wishes it was a man causing his afflictions, rather than God, so that he may fight it in a legal sense.

In their commentary, Jamieson, Fausset and Brown declare "daysman" to mean "mediator."

However, Keil and Delitzsch, Matthew Henry, John Gill, Adam Clarke, and Albert Barnes all list this to mean an arbiter or umpire. John Wesley declares it to be an umpire. John Darby does not broach the subject. So, the idea that "daysman" means "mediator" is the minority opinion of the scholars; espoused in only one case. With this thought in mind, let us look at the verses from a Jewish/English translation; the Jewish Publication Society Bible. After all, they are the most familiar with the translation of Hebrew to English.

Job 9:28-35, "I am afraid of all my pains, I know that Thou wilt not hold me guiltless. I shall be condemned; why then do I labour in vain? If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; Yet wilt Thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me. For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him, that we should come together in judgment. There is no arbiter betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. Let Him take His rod away from me, and let not His terror make me afraid; Then would I speak, and not fear Him; for I am not so with myself." (JPS)

Notice, the main theme we discovered earlier is still there. Yet, the English speaking Hebrews record "daysman" as "arbiter," as well. In light of the context, scholars, and natives, I must categorically state that this passage is in no way speaking of a mediator. Your premise has no applicability to your questions, yet I must answer.

Romans 8:1-28, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

You see, A faulty premise in no means makes the question unjustified. We DO have access to the Spirit. He helps us to pray. He allows us to know we are children of God. He gives us assurance, IF we are Christians, that everything will turn out for the best, regardless of what it might look like to our mortal minds.

To answer the second part of your question, we need a better understanding of the Spirit. By faith, we see what He does. Now let's look at what Jesus promised concerning Him and His purpose.

John 16:6-15  But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you."

John 14:23-26, "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

In the first of these passages, Jesus is contrasting Himself with the Spirit, but in the second, He is describing their unity of purpose. Remember, with the three being one, Jesus is the Spirit, and the Spirit is Jesus; even if they are different persons.

Jesus promised the Spirit would bring to the remembrance of the apostles everything that He had said. In other words, the writings and instructions of the apostles are guided by the Spirit of God. Let's look at how the Scripture states the concept.

2nd Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

The Scriptures are inspired, or "God breathed." The Scriptures are the very breath of God, spoken to the apostles. Now, look at the words "inspiration," and "Spirit." In both the English and Greek, they are from the same, root word; both meaning "breath." The Scriptures are the Word, or breath, or Spirit of God. A study pf the Scriptures, learning how to handle them properly (2nd Timothy 2:15), is how we come to have a relationship, or faith, in God through obedience to that Truth.

Romans 10:16-17, "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

I hope I have answered your questions satisfactorally. If you need further assistance in this, or any other matter, please do not hesitate to ask.

In His Service,

Marvin Howard
preacherman_1962@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/preacherman_1962