Miracles—barring the creation of the world—always start with problems. No problems, no miracles.
I think we’ll find profit if we spend a few more minutes examining the Person whom Elihu suggests as the Problem-Solver: “a messenger for him, a mediator, one among a thousand” (Job 33:23). The word “messenger” is the common word for angel, and is so used 111 times in Scripture. As we saw in our studies in Genesis, at least twenty Old Testament stories feature the preincarnate Son appearing as the Angel of the Lord. He is revealed as the One making essential preparations for His own arrival at Bethlehem. We recognize Him as distinct from other angels, the seen God who answers prayers, accepts worship, claims titles of deity, and makes promises only God can make. But what of this name “mediator”? Some translate it as “interpreter.” The Pulpit Commentary says concerning this verse, “The Jews certainly understand it Messianically, since they read it on the great Day of Atonement, and use in their liturgies the prayer, ‘Raise up for us the righteous Interpreter; say, I have found a ransom.’” Our Lord Jesus is both Mediator and Interpreter. As Mediator, He links human need and divine provision. “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2:5). And interpreters know the two requirements for communication. The words must be accurate, and so “the Word was God” ( Jn 1:1). But words must also be in our language. Thus, “the Word became flesh” (v 14). He was God interpreted for us, translated into our native tongue. And, adds Elihu, He is “one among a thousand.” Or “among ten thousand” (Song 5:10). Or among “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Rev 5:11). He’s outstanding! Exceptional! Superlative! Unique! Far above all!