Job 33:23 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Job 33:23

Comments

This is a verse of grace. The word ‘messenger’ means also ‘angel’. Some treat this as a literal angel and understand this to be a description of a supernatural visitation to warn the man. Some think that the Messiah is referred to, and translate ‘interpreter’ as ‘mediator’, which is a valid meaning, but again context must decide. The Messiah is not accurately described as one in a thousand (even though the phrase can be stretched – Job 9:3), but the one and only, the unique Son of God. Others believe this to be a human messenger and either see Elihu as referring to himself, or to some skilled counsellor. He surely has a human messenger in mind. These words are intended to encourage Job and to help him to see that repentance with healing and restoration is within his reach if he will only respond properly to God’s discipline. Elihu is not speaking of something that might happen to Job but of something that is happening and in fact, before the book finishes, does happen: Job is restored. At this stage Elihu doesn’t know that God himself is going to speak to Job, but he delivers a faithful message, the very message which he has already announced that he is going to deliver (Job 32:10-22). Elihu knows that God has given him wisdom and that his words to Job will be words that will help him to recover if only he will receive them. He knows that such knowledge as he has been given is extremely rare (one in a thousand, but not literally) and that the three friends have totally failed to exhibit such wisdom even though they were regarded as having unusual learning. Elihu therefore sees himself as an example of such a messenger and he proceeds to give the message which he knows will do Job so much good (Job 33:31 - 34:3). Of course the Lord Jesus Christ is that messenger, par excellence.Again the last words have been variously understood, for ‘his righteousness’ has been taken as God’s righteousness by some, and this gives a good meaning – the messenger show a man the righteousness of God which he has forgotten in criticising God’s dealings with him. But others see this as man’s righteousness – what acceptable righteousness consists of, and therefore what man must strive for. The thought is that the individual is at the point of damagingly departing from that righteousness and needs to return to it.

Application

It is about a messenger, an interpreter, who can explain our problems, and bring us a message from God. Any Christian can do, but this is not common. If only we could exercise this role to one another. Ultimately it is Christ, but we also are messengers and there are few around – one in a thousand. In response God is gracious to the repentant individual, and says, ‘Deliver him who was in danger to going down into hell from such a calamity. I have found, and indeed I have provided, a ransom and an atonement to cover his sin, for in the fullness of time I have sent my beloved Son to be the propitiation for his sin.’ The word ‘ransom’ means the price for the ransom of a life. It is used in Exodus 30:12 of the price that each male above twenty years of age should pay as an offering to the sanctuary at the time of the census as a ransom to make atonement for his soul. The Biblical doctrine that sin must be atoned for to satisfy the justice of God, is the foundation of this verse. The ransom was not something which the individual provides, but which God himself provides and which only he is capable of providing. The Old Testament saints were taught that salvation must be of God, forgiveness and mercy are needed. Even in time of Job they understood that God would find a cover for sin.

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Job 33:23 Commentary and Bible Study