Modern Daysmen

Job 9:22-23 “For he [GOD]is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any DAYSMAN betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both."

Dictionary.com: Daysman – arbiter, mediator, judge. This word is formed from the Latin diem dicere, i.e., to fix a day for hearing a cause. Such a one is empowered by mutual consent to decide the cause, and to "lay his hand", i.e., to impose his authority, on both, and enforce his sentence.

Dictionary.com: Intercede – to act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition (as to intercede with the governor for a condemned man); to attempt to reconcile differences between two people or groups; to mediate.

Dictionary.com: Memorial - something designed to preserve the memory of a person or event.

The final subject matter to cover in prayer is: intercession. I’ve given the above scripture and definitions to help us to understand what it is we are doing when we intercede in prayer on behalf of another.

But I think I will also refer back to the picture of the High Priest from Exodus to help us with our understanding, as Aaron's garments, specially chosen by God, signify to us still the privileges and duties of all of us who are now known (upon being born again) as priests of God.

If you will recall, two of the garments of the High Priest were the “ephod” and the "breastplate” [See Exodus chapter 28].

The ephod was a two piece apron (one piece of the apron covering the front of the priest, the other piece of the apron covering the back of the priest) clasped together at the shoulders. The shoulder clasps were onyx stones, one on each shoulder, with each stone bearing the inscribed names of six of the twelve tribes of Israel (the names of the sons of Jacob). One stone had the names of the six eldest of Jacob’s sons, the other stone had the name of the six youngest of his sons, each in the order of their birth. The Word says “So Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders as a memorial.” (verse 12).

The breastplate was called a “breastplate of judgment” (verse 15). It was a fabric pouch on which were fastened twelve precious stones in four rows of three. Each of these stones also had a name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, so that all tribes were named on the breastplate. These also were to be a memorial to the Lord: “So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the Lord continually” (verse 29). The breastplate also contained the Urim and Thummim, stones used by God to declare His decisions in governing the people; truly a government founded on God alone.

In addition, the placement of the breastplate (over Aaron’s breast or heart) signifies God’s affection for His people (Aaron standing before God in the typology of Jesus), the names (or memorials) being brought before God by the High Priest to remind the Lord of His covenant promises to Israel.

This is what we do when we intercede on behalf of others in prayer. We bring names before the Lord, asking for mercy, petitioning for grace, seeking justice; whether the name is of a country, state, city or neighborhood street, or names of people groups or individuals.

And just as Jesus became the Daysman that Job longed for, not only for Job but for each of us also, so we now, in the name of Jesus, become the modern Daysmen or mediators, of that “better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (Hebrews 8:6), pleading both for justice and for mercy, between God and man. If we are not doing this regularly, in fact continually (constant in prayer as Paul was), then we are failing in our duties and privileges, yes, privileges that we have been given as a royal priesthood:

1 Peter 2:9 “But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

In our intercessory prayers we DO show forth praises of God, for our prayers deliver Hs mercy, His goodness and grace, and when needed, even His judgment (His GOOD and JUST judgment), to those on whose behalf we pray.

Jesus gave his followers (not Peter alone as some think) the authority to bind and loose; I call these the “spiritual twins” of the Umim and the Thummim stones, given to every believer:

“Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18

He has given us the authority make Godly proclamations, in His Name. We are God’s mediators, ministers of reconciliation, intercessors, daysmen. That is our responsibility, each and every one of us, not just a select few. Nowhere does the Word say a select few have been made priests. Nowhere does the Word say a select few will intercede on the behalf of others.

And think of the privileges we have been given that have been wasted by our apathy. We have been given the privilege of changing the lives of those around us by simple heartfelt and earnest prayer. That’s all that is needed. We don’t have to go to the cross for them, Jesus already did that. We need only pray for them, to see His work revealed in their lives! We need only pray to see His work revealed in our nation!

In the days of the Israelites, Aaron was truly the most important man on earth, it wasn't Moses. It was Aaron; not because he was something special himself, he was just a man. But in terms of what he was given in his role as priest: the power to secure mercy and forgiveness and eternal salvation for the people....in all of this, he was invaluable! And today, with the authority we have been given through Jesus Christ, so are we!

As relating to "government by the people and for the people", this is better than being any famous (or infamous) politician! When we want a new bill passed, one that we believe will be of great benefit to others, we don’t have to worry about whether or not it will pass through the House and the Senate. And we don’t have to worry about a Presidential veto. Our Heavenly President has given us His authority. He already knows that He is in agreement, because we are of the same mind as He, and so He is waiting and ready to pass the bill! We still have a government founded on God!

But we first have to submit the bill! He can do nothing if we aren’t submitting the bills in the first place! These bills in the spiritual realm are called "prayers".

Our prayers, like political bills, bring changes (eternal changes) in the government of God’s creation; directly into lives, changing households, and then streets, and then cities, and then states, and then countries, until His kingdom is fully established here on this earth!

Now that we have been made priests, perhaps we should “put on” our priestly garments (Jesus Himself) and take ourselves into the Holy of Holies...

...before the people perish.