Job 3:23 - Homiletics

(along with Job 1:10 ).

The two hedges; of the hedge of prosperity and the hedge of adversity.

I. IN WHAT THEY COMPARE .

1 . In being planted by God. Job's prosperity was from God; his adversity was not without God.

2 . In encircling the saint. Job was equally a pious man in both positions.

3 . In being both removable. If Job's prosperity was exchanged for adversity, his adversity was afterwards succeeded by prosperity,

II. IN WHAT THEY CONTRAST .

1 . In the frequency of their setting. Adversity a more frequent experience than prosperity.

2 . In the comfort they afford. Prosperity a hedge of roses; adversity of thorns.

3 . In the effects they produce. Prosperity more dangerous to a man's spiritual interests than adversity.

III. IN WHAT THEY SUGGEST .

1 . That God's hand is in everything.

2 . That the saint's good may be advanced by everything.

3 . That the devil's arrows shoot at everything.