The Daysman

THE DAYSMAN

JOB 9:32, 33

II CORINTHIANS 5:18-20

          Daysman is an old English word meaning “an umpire” or “mediator.” The Devil is the author of confusion and division and subsequently, of hurt, isolation and fighting. God has made us ministers of reconciliation and has given us the Word of Reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:18-20). This word is not only to the sinner but to the Church as well. Let us examine this ministry.

I.                  JOB’S CONDITION

A.   MATERIAL FAILURE (1:15-17)

B.    PHYSICAL PAIN (2:7-8)

C.    EMOTIONAL LOSS AND LONELINESS (1:18-19)

II.               JOB’S NEED

A.   HE FELT CUT OFF FROM GOD

B.    THE GULF WAS TOO WIDE FOR JOB TO BRIDGE (9:32)

C.    HE FELT THERE WAS NO ONE WHO COULD EFFECT RECONCILIATION (9:32)

III.           THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION (JOB 33:4-9)

A.   ALTHOUGH ELIHU FALSELY ASSUMED JOB HAD SINNED, HE NEVERTHELESS ASSERTED HIMSELF TO BE THE MIDDLE-MAN AND RIGHTLY IDENTIFIED THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

B.    THE DAYSMAN FORMED BY GOD’S SPIRIT (33:4)

1.    THE DAYSMAN IS IN GOD’S LIKENESS

2.    HE SHARES GOD’S CHARACTERISTICS AND WILL

C.    THE DAYSMAN STANDS IN GOD’S STEAD (33:6)

1.    WE ARE HIS AMBASSADORS (II CORINTHIANS 5:20)

2.    AS AMBASSADORS, WE POSSESS THE POWER OF THE KING WHO SENT US (II CORINTHIANS 5:18-19)

D.   OUR MINISTRY IS NOT ONE OF FEAR OR HEAVY-HANDEDNESS (33:7)

E.    OR MINISTRY REQUIRES PURITY OF HEART (33:9)

1.    STANDARDS DETERMINED BY THE KING ARE NECESSARY FOR AMBASSADORS

2.    RECONCILIATION MEANS “TO CHANGE.” IT INVOLVES MORE THAN FORGIVENESS; IT MEANS A CHANGE OF MIND AND WILL IN ORDER FOR TWO PARTIES TO BE RESTORED TO UNITY AND LOVE.

3.    THE MEDIATOR, THEN, MUST BE PURE IN HIS MOTIVES AND INTEGRITY, AND MUST BE TRUSTED (33:23).

IV.           RESULTS OF RECONCILIATION (33:24-30)

A.   DELIVERANCE FROM THE PIT – A RANSOM WAS FOUND (33:24)

B.    A NEW BEGINNING AND A FRESH START ON LIFE – ONE WAS RETURNED TO SIMPLE YOUTHFUL LIVING (33:25)

C.    JOY UNSPEAKABLE – HE WAS MADE RIGHT AGAIN, GIVING HIM JOY (33:26).

The daysman bears the light of God to the darkness of confusion, hurt, and hate. It is gospel light that will deliver our churches from the pit of despair, indifference, laxity, and in fighting (33:28-30). Ezekiel 22:30 “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it:” – will he find him? Who will put the two had back together (9:33)? Will it be you?