The Hedge/Protection Of God

Job 1:6-12

James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience.

·We must count it joy when we are tested.

·Why are there tests?

·Who test us?

·Find answers here in Job.

·Here we find the curtain lifted up in heaven and we hear this conversation between God and Satan.

Let’s follow it to find our answers:

Job 1:6. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

Sons of God – ben elhoiym - Angels present themselves.

·They gave report on what they’ve done.

·They do all kinds of work.

and Satan came also among them:

·Interesting because tells us that Satan has got access to heaven to stand before God.

Rev. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Satan is day and night accusing you before the Lord.

Like he did with Job and Joshua (Zec 3:1)

Zech. 3:1 And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.

Job 1:7 And the Lord said unto Satan, from where do you come? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

·This is what Satan does, walking round and he’s up to no good.

·Still does it today.

·He’s walking around and see who he can destroy.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:

He’s hanging out at:

Your work, house, traffic anywhere and

everywhere.

Walking probing looking who he can devour,

destroy.

The Lord’s eyes are going to and fro over the earth to see who He can empower.

2 Chron. 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

Satan is going to and fro to see who he can devour/destroy.

Job 1:8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feared God, and hates evil?

Considered – comes from military word – means to spy on enemy and find their weakness.

·This is exactly what Satan does night and day.

·He spy on you to find your weakness and then attack you there.

·He did this already on Job hence his answer!

Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have you not made a hedge around him, around his house, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance (possessions) is increased in the land.

Yes I’ve spied on him and this is what I’ve noticed:

·I can’t touch him.

·You’ve built a hedge around him.

·This is what God wants for you.

·He want to be your protector, build hedges around you.

Isaiah 5:1-2 Now will I sing to my beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My beloved has a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: [2] And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes.

·He wants to be the hedge around you.

·He wants you to believe in Him.

·But unfortunately we find our own hedges to hide behind.

·Hedges like finances, relationship etc.

·What is your hedge?

Job 1:11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

·This is what Satan wants for you.

·To curse God.

·He says :take away his possessions and his hedge is gone.

·Satan says that Job is secure because of his possessions.

·He’s doing it for the money!

·He’s serving you for what he can get from you!

Is that you my friend?

Serving the Lord to receive something from Him?

Job 1:12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

·Why the Lord let this happen only He knows.