How had God hedged in Job? (Job 3:23)
Job Speaks
Job 3:23 Why is life given to a man
whose way is hidden,
whom God has hedged in?
Compare or contrast Job 1:10 (1:8-10 but especially Job 1:10)
8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
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Asked December 04 2018
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Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Meshack Gachago
God provides protection in many ways: a wall of fire, a canopy of His glory, angels, confounding your enemies, by divine instruction, which must be obeyed, as answer to prayer in his providence and sovereignty. There is no single formula that he uses, but his promises are true.
Joseph Kearney
The problem I have with these verses is that they make it sound like a game between Our Lord and Satan using Job as a pawn. It doesn't seem fair/right/within character for the Lord to let Job suffer for the sake of winning an argument like they could be placing bets on the outcome?
Any comments?
Jack Gutknecht
Joseph, I found this @ biblegateway:
Are people just pawns in God’s chess game?
Job 1:13–19
It often seems that people are caught in events beyond their control, manipulated by God or Satan. They may feel forced into situations they would not choose if they were given a chance. While this seems unfair, there is another way—a higher way—to interpret the circumstances of life. We can see them as God-given opportunities to cooperate with his purpose and plans and, by serving him, to fulfill something far more significant than our own schemes ever could. We are more than pawns in a chess game. We can honor Almighty God by the way we live and die.
Still, many unanswered questions remain. Only God knows why dozens of bystanders had to die in this unfolding drama between Satan and God. We struggle with the fact that some who are righteous have short, tragic lives while others who are wicked enjoy wealth and long life. One thing we can affirm, however: What seems unfair in this life will be made right in eternity. Our problems will be resolved and many of our questions answered.
God has permitted Satan certain freedoms. He is called the “prince of this world” (John 14:30) and “the ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). Satan can sometimes use the forces of nature, sickness, plagues and wicked people. Though God dealt a fatal blow to Satan through Jesus’ death and resurrection, Satan continues to struggle against God and will do so until the end (see Romans 16:20).
Jack Gutknecht
And the conclusion: "There are two sides to the suffering of the righteous: the earthly and the heavenly. The apostle Paul understood the tension of living in a corrupt world as one controlled by the Spirit. He placed his trust in God and things eternal—God’s justice, mercy, and love— not in the temporary things of this world—success, wealth and fame. Paul recognized that our struggle is not against “flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12) and took courage in knowing that our “citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20)."
Shirley H
God is SOVEREIGN!
1Corinthians 1:19-25, "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe. Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made the foolish the wisdom of this world?
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
BUT we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumblingblock and unto the Greeks foolishness;
But unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
Job was a believer taught by the word written in the stars.
2 Corinthians 12:6-9, "For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear,lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he hearest of me.
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.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
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."
Job 19:25, "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."
Job, servant of God, hedged, and used mightily.
Deuteronomy 4:29, " But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul."