“DO NOT!”

 Job 1:6-12                    (ESV)

Satan Allowed to Test Job

“[6] Now there was a day when the sons of GOD came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. [7] The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” [8] And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered MY servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears GOD and turns away from evil?” [9] Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear GOD for no reason? [10] Have YOU not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? YOU have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. [11] But stretch out YOUR hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse YOU to YOUR face.” [12] And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him “DO NOT” stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.”

The story of Job isn’t a “fairy tale”!! It is TRUTH written about Job’s FAITH in the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE!  Job KNEW that GOD WAS IN CONTROL, but he also was certainly about to find out that GOD created Satan to be used to GLORIFY HIS SON, especially when the so-called “odds” were stacked against HIM!!!

Making sure that the TRUTH is plainly seen by more than me, Satan ONLY has POWER that is bequeathed to him by ALMIGHTY GOD!  Satan asked in verse ten above “Have YOU not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side?”  Satan KNEW that Job has been DIVINELY protected previously, so he requested “leniency” from the THRONE!  And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him “DO NOT” stretch out your hand” in verse twelve!  The LORD KNEW that Job would pass the test, and HE wanted to prove HIS SOVEREIGNTY to Job and anyone else watching, including Satan!!!

In Matthew 19:26 GOD IN THE FLESH says “With man this is impossible, but with GOD ALL THINGS are possible.”  Yes, this same JESUS was around back when Job was being tested.  HEAVEN KNEW that Job would “pass” his test!  Satan surely knows that he is a defeated foe and that his fate has been sealed when CHRIST overcame death, hell and the grave!  “The enemy” also knew that when GOD said “”DO NOT” stretch out your hand” against Job that Job was safe and secure from him.  When GOD says “DO NOT”, the issue has been settled, and that’s saying everything that needs to be said!!!