Job 1:10-11

10 Hast not thou made an hedge [suwk] about him, and about [ba`ad] his house [bayith], and about all that he hath on every side [cabiyb]? thou hast blessed [barak] the work [ma`aseh] of his hands [yad], and his substance [miqneh] is increased [parats] in the land ['erets].

11 But ['uwlam] put forth [shalach] thine hand [yad] now, and touch [naga`] all that he hath, and he will curse [barak] [lo'] thee to thy face [paniym]. KJV-Interlinear

10 'Hast Thou not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 'But put forth Thy hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse Thee to Thy face.' NASB

If Job's faith is based on his possessions, then by taking them away, Job will turn to anger and rage, and Job will denounce God in public.

If Job's faith is based on his trust in God, if Job knows that God is good, if Job understands that this life in this world is not the target of Gods plan, if Job understands that there is a better life in the next life, if Job understands that there is an angelic conflict, and that all bad emanates from Satan, and all good comes from the source of God, if Job knows that all things in this life are only temporary and have never been designed to be permanent possessions, then no matter what happens to Job, his circumstances will have no effect on his faith.

For this life, God has given us things to help us to learn about life, to learn responsibility, and to come to a knowledge of Him.

God gave us all air to breathe, food to eat, water to drink, clothing to keep us warm, homes to give us a place to live, an education to help us get through this life. God gave us all abilities or handicaps in order to give us an opportunity to grow up in this life to maturity. We even have possessions of sorts, which should predominantly teach us unselfishness, and responsibility, and so forth.

Some folks have more. Some folks have less.

This life is not our ultimate goal, however. This life is merely our opportunity to learn Bible doctrine and to grow up in our spiritual life, such that we will be prepared for that next and very much longer life in eternity. Everything that we have in this life, simply helps us to function while living in this life.

One day all that we have in this life, including our physical bodies, our possessions, everything of this physical world, will fade away into oblivion and will be forgotten. All of the toys, all of the properties, all of the titles, all of the physical abilities, all of the certifications and social status, all will disappear into nothing.

Your favorite clothes, car, properties, even your titles and social status among humanity will disappear.

Remember one important thing. Humanity, and that means you, is nothing more than a speck of dust. Nothing more. How important is a speck of dust? It isn't.

How big is this planet in the universe? Not very big. We are but a speck in the cosmos. How much power and ability do we really have? Little to none. One asteroid can destroy humanity. One major volcano, one major earthquake, one major storm, even a simple disease, can destroy humanity, and there is nothing we can do to stop it.

We just finished getting through our mid-term elections here in the United States. The political party, which is viewed as liberal in its philosophy, won many seats in government, away from the conservatives. This change may or may not have an impact on how our country functions. Those who won, cheered. Those who lost, did not celebrate.

Not to worry, regardless of which side of the political isle you are on. Jesus Christ controls history, not politicians, not terrorists, not the many philosophies of the world. Certainly not Satan.

And now we have Satan's complaint. God has built up a hedge around Job. God builds up a hedge around all positive believers.

This is not just any hedge, it is a protective wall, fortified with thorns, and spikes, and spears. A wall such that any attacks from any direction, will never succeed in getting to Job, his family, and all that he possesses.

Such is the power which God has surrounding you. The only question, is do you even know this.

Satan further describes Job's prosperity. His cattle, his wealth, all that he has and does, is gushing forth like a flooding spring river. Such is the meaning of 'blessed' and 'increased.' His herds spread put across the lands like an advancing flood. Job is mega-wealthy.

Satan implies that Job's faith is merely a superficial observance because he is rich. If he were not rich and successful, then he would not care much for God.

In the temptation in Eden, Satan disparaged God to man, here he disparages man to God.

Satan may be able to find multitudes among humanity who will place a price on their faith, but God has his multitudes in history, who will never sell their souls, their consciences, nor their life, for any price from this world.

Those who genuinely belong to God, will trust in Him, regardless of their circumstances in this life. Those who genuinely trust in God, know His passion, His love, and His plan are infinitely superior than anything that Satan or this world can pay.

Previous Page

Table of Contents

Donation

Next Page

Now is the time to post a prayer.