The Art of Peacemaking: A Biblical Perspective
Exodus 20:21
The people remained
at a distance,
while Moses approached
the thick darkness
where God was.
Shadow of Christ: Moses as God’s Mediator
Let’s dive into one of the most fascinating figures in Scripture. Moses gives us an incredible picture of what it means to stand between God and His people. Romans 16 shows us countless heroes of the faith. However, I’d like to focus on Moses. His life remarkably foreshadows Christ’s work as our ultimate Mediator.
Standing in the Gap
That moment in Exodus 20:21? “The people remained at a distance.” Meanwhile, Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. That’s not just a dramatic scene—it’s a profound picture of mediation. Consider this: everyone else hung back in fear. But Moses walked straight into that overwhelming darkness to meet with God. That’s real courage!
This brings to mind Hebrews 4:16. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace. We may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Moses’s bold approach to God paved the way for what Christ would ultimately accomplish.
When we consider what mediation really means in Scripture, it’s more than just playing referee. It’s about bridging an impossible gap—the gap between a holy God and sinful people. Moses understood this at a deep level. He didn’t just relay messages back and forth; he invested himself fully in both relationships—with God and with the people.
God’s Perfect Preparation
I love how God prepared Moses for this role—it’s a masterclass in divine providence! Born a Hebrew but raised in Pharaoh’s court—talk about being uniquely positioned! Even when Moses’s first attempts at reconciliation flopped (remember that incident with the Egyptian? ), God was working out His perfect plan.
As Stephen points out in Acts 7:25, “He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand.” Sounds familiar. How often do we jump ahead of God’s timing, thinking we know best?
Think about the decades Moses spent in Midian. Those weren’t wasted years; they were preparation years. God was teaching him patience, humility, and leadership through shepherding actual sheep before he’d shepherd God’s people. It reminds me of David’s preparation in the fields before becoming king.
Hebrews 3:5-6 puts it perfectly: “Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.” Everything in Moses’s life was pointing toward something—or rather, someone—greater.
The Heart of a Defender
Here’s what really grabs me about Moses—his heart for justice. Perhaps this is why in my own life I have a heart for justice. At times, it has even gotten me in trouble. When he saw that Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, he didn’t just shake his head and walk away. And later, when he spotted those shepherds hassling Jethro’s daughters at the well? He stepped right in. That’s what real mediation looks like—standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.
Numbers 12:3 tells us something surprising: “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” Don’t mistake this for weakness; we’re talking about strength under God’s control. It reminds me of Proverbs 31:8-9: “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
This combination of strength and meekness made Moses the perfect candidate for mediation. He was strong enough to stand before Pharaoh and demand justice. Yet, he was humble enough to fall on his face before God. That’s the kind of leader God uses—someone who knows both how to fight and how to submit.
Called to Be Peacemakers
You might be wondering—what does all this mean for us today? Jesus puts it plainly in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” We’re called to follow in Moses’s footsteps (and ultimately Christ’s) as people who bring reconciliation.
In our divided world, this calling has never been more crucial. Whether it’s in our families, churches, or communities, we’re called to be people who bridge gaps and heal divisions. But here’s the key: we don’t do this by compromising truth. Real peace never comes at the expense of righteousness.
James 3:17 gives us a beautiful picture of this kind of peacemaking: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” That’s our model for biblical mediation.
Christ: Our Perfect Mediator
Here’s where it all comes together beautifully. Everything Moses did pointed to Christ. Hebrews 8:6 puts it perfectly: “But as it is, Christ has 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.”
Moses entered the darkness to meet with God. Christ entered the darkness of death itself to bring us to God. That’s why 1 Timothy 2:5 declares, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Consider how Christ’s mediation surpasses Moses’s in every way. Moses could only represent the people before God; Christ actually becomes our representative. Moses brought the law that condemned; Christ brings the grace that saves. Moses’s mediation was temporary; Christ’s is eternal.
Living It Out Today
So what do we do with all this? First, we’ve got to remember that real peace only comes through the gospel. In your family, at church, in your community—wherever God’s placed you—you’re called to be a reconciler.
Think about Ephesians 4:2–3: “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” That’s our playbook for being peacemakers!
This plays out in practical ways. In our families, it means being quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). In our churches, it means dealing with conflict biblically and directly (Matthew 18:15–17). In our communities, it means being ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).
The Ministry of Reconciliation
As reformed believers, we understand that God’s sovereignty extends to every area of life, including conflict and reconciliation. When we step into difficult situations as mediators, we’re not acting alone. We’re participating in God’s reconciling work in the world.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 puts it beautifully: “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”
The Greater Mediation
Let me wrap this up with a thought that never fails to blow my mind: While Moses’ mediation was temporary, Christ’s is eternal. Hebrews 9:15 puts it beautifully: “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.”
Every time we step into conflicts as peacemakers, we reflect Christ’s greater work of reconciliation. This happens whether in our homes, churches, or communities. As Colossians 1:20 reminds us, He “made peace by the blood of his cross.”
Think about how this changes our approach to conflict and reconciliation. We’re not just trying to solve problems or make peace for peace’s sake. We’re participating in something much bigger—God’s cosmic work of reconciliation through Christ. I know I have a lot to do in my own life.
Our Daily Call to Mediation
Each day brings new opportunities to live out this calling. Maybe it’s mediating between arguing siblings, helping church members work through disagreements, or building bridges in your community. Whatever the situation, remember that you’re following in the footsteps of Moses and, ultimately, pointing to Christ.
Hebrews 12:14 challenges us: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Notice how peace and holiness go together. True biblical mediation never sacrifices one for the other.
Remember, friends, our call to mediation isn’t about compromising truth but about pointing people to the Ultimate Mediator, Jesus Christ. Let’s embrace this high calling with confidence. We should embrace it with humility and joy. Our efforts to make peace are grounded in the perfect peace Christ has already made.
Soli Deo Gloria