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JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE JOB Day 1 – Hedge of Protection Job 1 Chronologically Job is the oldest book in the Bible, predating even the patriarchs. No one knows who wrote Job or when Job lived, only that he did. We all go through trials in our lives. We all wish those trials never happened, or would be over in a hurry. However, the trials we face are there to hone us, and show us where our strength is, and our weakness. Job was a wealthy man. He had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred donkeys. And Job had seven sons and three daughters. Job was a man who feared God and shunned evil. He did that which was right in God’s eyes. Then it was all gone in a day. 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. 7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence come thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 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 fears God, and eschews evil? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught? 10 Hast not thou made a 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. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 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. (KJV) When it comes to trouble in our lives, sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when it started, and most of the time we don’t understand why we have the troubles we have. Job certainly didn’t understand why he had the trouble he did. We only get a glimpse of why from the above verses. Satan requested it, and God allowed it. Let me say that again – God allowed it. We can be like Job and do everything right. We can spend our time in Bible study and prayer. We can pray for our families, and those less fortunate than us. We can visit the sick and lay hands on them. We can take care of the fatherless and widow. Everything we do is above reproach from all sides. Yet in one day everything we own can be taken from us without an explanation. In Job’s case, we know why he had trouble. Satan asked God to test him. Satan wanted to prove that Job would cave in and curse God to His face. How well does God know you? I’m certain you just said God knows everything about you, and He does. How well do you know yourself? I’m also certain you just answered that you know you pretty well since you’ve been living with yourself all your life. True. However, you might not know yourself as well as you think you do. David put this request before God: Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (KJV) David wasn’t taking any chances on what he knew about his own life or his strength of character. He asked God to search him and try him. Paul was another man who felt God’s testing. 2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (KJV) Jesus told Peter Satan wanted to sift him as wheat. Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (KJV) All three of these men were strong in there faith towards God. They were ready to lay their lives down for Him. It is when we make declarations of love and devotion to God, that Satan will go to God and ask permission to test us. Revelation 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. (KJV) Job wasn’t the only one Satan accused before God. He goes to God and accuses all of us and tries to tell God how bad we are, and he asks permission to tempt us. God knows how we will stand up in the test. He told Satan Job was faithful, but Satan would not believe Him. Satan will not believe God on your behalf either. What trials are you going through? How are you holding up? In one day Job lost his cattle, his camels, and his donkeys. They were driven away by thieves who came to destroy all Job had, but then the messenger came with the worst news of all, his children were dead – all of them in one day by a fierce wind that came in and destroyed the house and everyone in it. It would have been an easy matter for Job to go after his livestock and get them back, however, how do you get back your children? It was in his children Job was considered wealthy, not in the livestock he had. Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. (KJV) When Satan attacked Job’s children, he took his wealth from him. It was only then that Job rent his clothes and bowed himself to the ground and worshiped God. Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. (KJV) What is the first thing we do when trouble comes our way? Don’t we look for someone to blame? In many cases people blame God for all their trouble. They don’t realize their trouble isn’t from God, but God allowed it, not to punish, but to strengthen. Satan knows the character of men. He knows that given enough trouble, men will blame God for all their trouble and not lay the blame where it belongs, squarely with him. When men blame God, Satan cackles in glee. He throws a party because he proved where our priorities lie, and that is not in giving God praise, even in the midst of trouble. As Christians, we know we will be tested. Every day trouble looks for us. We don’t need to go out looking for trouble. Satan has one agenda and only one when it comes to Christians. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (KJV) Satan’s agenda is to strip us of our faith and destroy our lives. Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly. Our prayer then should be: Proverbs 30:7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. (KJV) Are you going through trouble and you don’t know where it’s coming from? Have you examined your life to make certain you have not done anything that would condemn you before God? After you have examined your life and found no reason for all your trouble, then do what Job did and worship God. Let’s pray: Father, help me worship You when Satan comes after me to destroy my life. Help me stand strong in You, knowing my weakness is Your strength. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 19 February 2016 by Valerie Jean Routhieaux All scripture is King James Version, edited by me into common English. Image courtesy of Pixabay