In Job 1:10 Satan complained that God had put a hedge around Job, his household, and all that he posessed. So long as this hedge remained in place, Job and all that pertained to him were safe.
Satan came to God primarily to slander Job before God, but also to move God Himself to act against Job without a cause (Job 2:3). God, of course, refused to be maneuvered this way. There was never a chance that this latter plan would succeed. James 1:13 tells us that God cannot be tempted with evil. In addition, God knows every heart; and Satan's thoughts and intentions were not hidden from God.
But Satan's shamelessness is revealed in the fact that he tried to tempt God in spite of all this. He doesn't seem to care that God knows exactly what he's doing. There is not the least hint of shame or embarrassment about him. He is like the compulsive liar who can't stop lying even when he knows there is no chane he will be believed. Ezekiel 28:17 tells us that Satan corrupted his wisdom when he fell, and we see evidence of that here.
But Satan didn't stop at tempting God. He laid before God a very serious charge against Job, and, by implication, against God Himself. He accused Job of only serving God for the money, of trading his love for God's favors -- of being a spiritual whore, faithful , perhaps, but for hire just the same. And at the same time he implied that God was buying the love of His creatures. "They don't love you," was the charge; "They love your money. They love your presents. They love the good health you give them, the fine families, the nice houses, the money in the bank, the thriving businesses, the multitude of friends. And to get these, they are willing to put on a front of loving even You. You're not the number one object of their affection; You're just the highest bidder."
God dealt with this in a way that was at the same time spectacular and low key. He did something so unusual that it must have shocked Satan himself. He removed the hedge from around everything He had blessed Job with, leaving only Job himself protected. Everything he had was now fair game to Satan.
God knew the heart of His man Job, and He called Satan's bluff. His message to the devil was, "Put up or shut up." Once the devil made his move, it would be clear to all whether Job served God because he loved Him, or because he wanted the good things God had given him.
So long as God hedged Job around, Satan could not touch him. This brings up a critically important fact: Satan cannot attack God's people without first obtaining permission from God.
There is one other record in the Bible where we see Satan obtaining permission to attack God's people.
Luke 22:31-32.
22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
The translation in the King James Version, "Satan hath desired to have you...' doesn't really communicate the seriousness of what's going on. The New American Standare reads, "Satan hath demanded [permission] to sift you like wheat..." The Williams translation reads, " Satan has asked permission to sift all of you like wheat..." The New International Version says, "Satan has asked to sift you as wheat..." And the Beck translation reads, "...you know the devil has begged to have all of you to sift you like wheat..."
Once again we see Satan going to God to get permission to attack His people. This time God does not give almost blanket approval, like He did in Job's case. The disciples' families were safe. Their property remained intact. It is their confidence in Christ that is under attack; and this attack is timed to coincide with Jesus' arrest, trial and crucifiction -- the disciples' most vulnerable moment.
And what did Jesus do when he learned from God about this impending spiritual attack against his disciples? Did he bind Satan? Did he wage war against the territorial spirits ruling Jerusalem and Judea? Did he cast out the demons of doubt and fear? Did he examine his disciples' pasts and family trees for any signs of generational spirits or curses?
No. He prayed for them. In particular, he prayed for Peter, who was the leader of the group.
Were they attacked? Yes. Were they sifted like wheat? They certainly were -- especially Peter. His denials of Jesus take on a whole new meaning in light of this. Yet with the exception of Judas, every one of the disciples came out of this attack standing firm. Jesus had prayed for them, and that was enough.
In the book of Job, Satan did not beg, ask or demand a chance to get at Job. He lied. He tried to maneuver God into acting against Job without a cause. Butr God didd something unexpected. He removed the hedge from around Job's household and from around everything Job posessed. All God had blessed Job with was now fully open to attack from the devil.
But God did something else. He "left the camera running." He recorded what followed for posterity, so that men everywhere could see the devil in action, with his mask off, and know his true heart and will towards men in general, and God's people in particular.
Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy..." The devil was about to demonstrate in the life of Job just how true this statement really is.