Covenant & Covering – Session 13

Restoring the Hedge: Rebuilding Trust and Protection in Covenant Relationships

Primary Scripture Reading

Ecclesiastes 10:8 KJV 1900

8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

Additional Passages

Job 1:9–10

Hosea 2:6–7

Nehemiah 4:6–9

Isaiah 58:12

Introduction

In this series, we have learned that covenant is God’s blueprint for relationships, and covering is the divine hedge of protection that flows from covenant faithfulness. But what happens when the hedge is broken?

In biblical times, hedges were not ornamental. They were thick thorn bushes or stone walls used to protect vineyards, livestock, or homes. They kept enemies out, preserved fruit, and marked ownership. Spiritually, hedges represent God’s protective boundaries—His favor, His covenant blessings, His guarding presence.

When those hedges are broken—whether in marriage, the church, or our personal walk—the result is exposure. Just as Solomon wrote, “whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him” (Ecclesiastes 10:8). The serpent represents the enemy’s ability to exploit breaches, entering where covenant protection has been removed.

But the good news is this: God not only warns of the danger—He shows us how to rebuild the hedge, restore the covering, and walk again in covenant safety.

1. The Hedge Represents Divine Protection in Covenant

Scripture: Job 1:9–10“Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?”

Satan admitted he could not touch Job because of God’s hedge.

Strong’s Concordance: “Hedge” (sûk, H7753) = to entwine, fence in, protect.

Application:

In marriage, covenant vows are a hedge.

In the church, unity and holiness form a hedge.

Personally, obedience and prayer build a hedge of protection.

2. How Hedges Are Broken

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:8

Causes of broken hedges:

Sin – Disobedience opens the door (Isaiah 59:2).

Neglect – Prayerlessness and indifference erode protection.

Betrayal – Breaking covenant vows (Malachi 2:14).

Division – Gossip and strife tear down walls in churches.

Historical context: When Israel disobeyed, God allowed enemies to break through their walls and hedges (Psalm 80:12–13).

3. The Serpent That Bites Through the Breach

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:3“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty…”

When hedges are broken, the serpent has legal access.

Examples:

In marriages: mistrust, suspicion, and bitterness creep in.

In churches: division, false doctrine, and offense spread.

In personal lives: addictions, fear, and deception take root.

Prophetic parallel: Just as Israel’s broken walls left them vulnerable to invading armies, a believer with a broken hedge is open to spiritual invasion.

4. God’s Promise of Restoration

Scripture: Hosea 2:6–7“Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns…”

Even after Israel broke covenant, God promised to restore the hedge.

Restoration pathway:

Repentance – Admit the breach (Psalm 51).

Confession – Acknowledge sin and failure (1 John 1:9).

Renewed Covenant – Recommit vows, rebuild trust.

Application: God disciplines to restore, not to destroy. He raises up barriers again to protect His people from wandering further.

5. Guarding the Restored Hedge

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:6–9

Nehemiah’s wall restoration is a picture of covenant hedge repair:

They built while holding weapons.

They prayed and posted watchmen.

They refused to give the enemy another opening.

Practical guardrails today:

Marriages must guard against secrecy and isolation.

Churches must guard doctrine and unity.

Believers must guard their hearts (Proverbs 4:23).

6. The Call to Be Repairers of the Breach

Scripture: Isaiah 58:12“And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places… thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”

God calls His people to repair—not ignore—broken places.

Prophetic role: Every believer is called to intercede, forgive, and rebuild what the enemy has torn down.

Application

For Marriages: Recognize breaches of trust. Take steps of daily restoration—honesty, prayer together, forgiveness.

For Churches: Shut the doors of gossip, legalism, and division. Pray, watch, and walk in Christ-centered unity.

For Personal Walks: Identify hidden sin or compromise. Repent, invite God to rebuild, and set guardrails through prayer and Scripture.

Prophetic Insight / Call to Action

The Spirit says: “Many live with broken hedges and wonder why the serpent has free access. You must repair the breach before greater destruction comes. Stand in the gap, rebuild the walls, and I will restore the covering.”

Just as Nehemiah rallied the people to restore Jerusalem’s walls, God is raising up modern “repairers of the breach.” Husbands must rise up in covenant. Pastors must rise up in prayer. Believers must rise up in holiness. If we will rebuild the hedge, God will restore the glory and covering of His presence.

Conclusion

“Sin is the great destroyer of hedges. Prayer is the great builder of hedges. And obedience is the great guard of hedges.” – Charles Spurgeon