A hedge of protection is a concept found in the Bible that refers to God’s spiritual protection and deliverance from harm. The imagery of a hedge comes from Job 1:10, where Satan tells God that Job is protected by a “hedge” that God has placed around him. This hedge protects Job from calamity and harm.
The idea is that just as a physical hedge or barrier protects property or livestock, God can create a spiritual hedge of protection around His people. This hedge blocks demonic attacks, shields from calamity, and prevents the enemy from gaining access to inflict harm. It is part of God’s provision and care for His children.
Throughout Scripture, we see examples of God protecting His people:
– The Israelites were protected from the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 8:22). God created a division and hedge between His people and the Egyptians.
– God was a wall of fire around His people as they traveled in the wilderness (Zechariah 2:5). His presence shielded and protected them.
– Jesus prayed for spiritual protection over His disciples from the evil one (John 17:15). He petitioned the Father to guard and keep them safe.
– Psalm 91 speaks extensively of abiding under the shadow of God’s wings and being shielded from pestilence, terror, and arrows. God is a strong tower and refuge.
So how does this apply to believers today? As Christians, we can have confidence that God is our ultimate protector and deliverer. Through faith, we can access the refuge of His hedge of protection. Here are some ways the Bible instructs us to abide under God’s hedge:
1. Abide in Christ. As we remain in close relationship with Jesus, intimacy provides access to the safety of the Father (John 15:4-5).
2. Claim Christ’s protection through prayer. We petition God to hide us under His hedge of protection (Psalm 17:8-9).
3. Put on the spiritual armor of God. This protects against demonic attacks and fiery darts from the enemy (Ephesians 6:10-18).
4. Have faith. The shield of faith in spiritual warfare quenches the enemy’s assaults (Ephesians 6:16).
5. Obey and follow God. As we listen and surrender to God’s commands, He promises to watch over us (Exodus 23:20-22).
6. Allow God to fight our battles. We rest in the knowledge that the Lord will fight for us (Exodus 14:14).
7. Stay within God’s will. When we are walking in His path for our life, we can claim protection.
8. Renew your mind with Scripture. God’s Word brings peace and pushes out fear/anxiety (Philippians 4:6-7).
9. Plead the blood of Jesus. There is power and protection in Jesus’ atoning blood (Revelation 12:11).
10. Ask others to pray. The prayers of the righteous avail much (James 5:16). Community provides an added hedge.
The Bible makes it clear that as believers we will still face trials and hardship in this world. The hedge does not make us invincible. However, as we humble ourselves and draw close to God, He promises to be our hiding place and strong tower. We can have confidence in His supernatural protection and deliverance from the schemes of the enemy. We don’t have to live in fear, for nothing can touch us outside of God’s permission.
When Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem, the people took comfort in these words from the prophet Jeremiah: “Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord, for I am with you. I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished” (Jeremiah 46:28). Even in the midst of judgment on the nation, God promised protection on the faithful remnant who sought Him. What a great encouragement that though hardship comes, God remains a hedge of protection to those who put their trust in Him!
In the New Testament, Jesus also made reference to the hedge of protection concept during His arrest in the garden. When the mob came to seize Jesus, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest. Jesus responded by saying, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” (Matthew 26:52-54).
Even in the midst of His surrender, Jesus affirmed that He had access by faith to a vast hedge of angelic protection. But He willingly laid down His life according to God’s plan. On the cross, it looked as if the hedge was removed and the enemy was triumphing. Yet, death could not defeat or hold Jesus! His resurrection proved that God’s hedge was ultimately mightier than the power of hell.
The Bible leaves no doubt that God is able to preserve and deliver His people. Moses says to Israel, “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27). However, the hedge is not an unconditional guarantee or force field against all harm. Trusting God does not make us immune to suffering in a fallen world. God may allow a “messenger of Satan” to attack, as He did with the apostle Paul, so that in our weakness we might find new strength and sufficiency in Christ (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). The hedge may look permeable at times, but God always has a purpose in what He permits.
This is where faith comes in. We trust that behind the hedge, God is still sovereign and good. We rely on Him to turn even attacks meant for evil into something for our eternal good (Genesis 50:20). And we have the hope that one day we will fully dwell in His presence, where tears, pain, and sin will be no more. Until then, we can rest knowing God only allows through the hedge what will further His purposes in us. May we abide confidently under the shadow of His wings, protected and kept.
