God Sets Bounds to the Afflictions of His People
Job 1:12-22
And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only on himself put not forth your hand…


1. It is not always an argument of God's goodwill and love to have our motions granted. Many are heard and answered out of anger, not out of love. The children of Israel required meat for their lusts, and God gave it them.

2. That until God gives commission, Satan hath no power over the estates or persons of God's people, or over anything that belongs unto them.

3. That which Satan and evil men desire sinfully, the Lord grants holily. The will of God and the will of Satan joined both in the same thing; yet they were as different as light and darkness, their ends were as different as their natures.

4. That God Himself sets bounds to the afflictions of His people.

5. That Satan is boundless in his malice toward the people of God. If God did not set him bounds he would set himself no bounds, therefore saith God unto him, only upon himself, etc.

(J. Caryl.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: 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.

WEB: Yahweh said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only on himself don't put forth your hand." So Satan went forth from the presence of Yahweh.




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