A Hedge of Protection
Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
In the book of Job we learn that God puts a hedge of protection around His believers, and their house and all that they have. God blesses the work of their hands and causes their substance to be increased. So then the question we need to be asking is what did Job do that prompted God to remove this protection and blessing? Over the course of the book of Job God teaches Job a lesson and once he learns that lesson the hedge of protection is returned and the blessing is returned.
So what is the lesson?
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 feareth God, and escheweth evil?
God is not a liar, if God says this then we can eliminate sin. That was not the reason God removed the hedge of protection. However, let's consider this, God is omniscient. He knew that if He asked Satan to consider Job that the result would be an attack. Based on verse 8 many conclude that God is like some bored kid with a magnifying glass burning ants up. However, God is righteous, His throne is established on righteousness, and God would never do anything that is unrighteous. We have a covenant with God that He will protect and keep us. For God to simply break that covenant would be unrighteous so you can also eliminate that as a possibility.
However, if Job was thinking "there is none like me in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil" it would not be unrighteous for God to agree with Job and even boast of him to Satan. We are judged by our words, and our covenant with God warns us straight up "pride goes before a fall".
So let us consider this, suppose Job was proud, he no longer thought that he could fall but instead prayed for others in the event that they would be led away by temptation. Let's look at what God says to Him?
Job 38:1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?
21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?
36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
It is very clear that God is dealing with Job's pride.
Job 40:3 Then Job answered the Lord, and said, 4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. 5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
God has placed a hedge of protection around us, Satan cannot touch us, and He has blessed us. But don't become proud. Be thankful, be full of praise, be joyful, but also be fearful that you might fall into the same temptation that Lucifer fell for and then God will be forced to teach you a lesson. The lesson is simple, you are not God, and you are no match for Satan if God removes His protection.
