1 John 5:20 English Standard Version (ESV) And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

I admitted at the end of yesterday’s blog that my definition of intercessor was ill defined. That is true.

We often find it difficult to discover the answers we seek in the bible. We question without understanding because it makes us uncomfortable to think of a question without an answer. It is part of that grand mystery of seeking God in all things.

Looking for answers in commentaries helps us to see what biblical scholars have to say about certain subjects, scriptures, and a myriad of useful references. Those do not always answer our questions.

It is easy to lean on secular dictionaries but those sources are not biblical, they are worldly. Dictionaries only tell us how words are used in the world and include misuse as well. If enough people misuse a word it will eventually make its way into the dictionary. As an example, the word ask now has the acceptable pronunciation “AX”. Not because it is right but because it is often pronounced that way.

God’s truth only has one source and that is God Himself. Given that the bible contains everything that God has to say related to our coming to know Him in truth, then understanding of every question comes from God because of our relationship.

Jeremiah 29:13 English Standard Version (ESV) You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Seeking God with our hearts is different than seeking Him with our minds.

Luke 24:38, 45 English Standard Version (ESV) And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

Jesus said this to His disciples after His resurrection. Think about that.

Job 16:20 New International Version (NIV) My intercessor is my friend^[a] as my eyes pour out tears to God;

Footnotes a Or My friends treat me with scorn

As the word intercessor is only used once in the KJV and not at all in the ESV, NASB, or a long list of the standard versions (not including the amplified) it was interesting to find the NIV quote here is not Isaiah 59:16 as with the KVJ.

The implication is that a human friend can act as an intercessor but is that translation accurate?

Job 16:20 English Standard Version (ESV) My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God,

If scholars do not agree on the use of this word, it is small wonder that it is not often taught.

Why is it important now to speak on this issue if no one else does?

Isaiah 59:16 English Standard Version (ESV) He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.

God is saying that since no one would bring mankind to Him in righteousness, He would do it Himself. It isn’t like God did not give mankind every opportunity to satisfy His sense of justice, and for all God’s efforts on man’s behalf, every effort on man’s part was at best just a temporary fix.

Hebrews 8:9 English Standard Version (ESV) not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.

Hebrews 8:6 English Standard Version (ESV) But as it is, Christhas obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

God replaced “if you will I will” with “since you can’t I will”. That is intercession, ill defined.