Ancient Boundaries

A father and his young son are taking a late-afternoon walk through the hills of ancient Judea. The rocky countryside abounds with simple treasures to delight the curious boy. He stoops to pick up a shiny piece of quartz, then a scratchy chunk of sandstone. As they walk along, the father speaks approvingly of King Solomon's recent accomplishments, and chuckles as his son trips lightly over a large gray rock. Brushing himself off, the lad begins to push the stone aside.

"Wait!" his father shouts. "Don't move that rock!"

"Why, Father?" the son wonders, sensing his dad's sudden seriousness.

"Because that's a boundary stone, Son. Your great-grandfather placed it there. It must not be moved!"

Proverbs 22:28 warns, "Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers." In biblical times, most fields were not separated by fences, nor did most people have the kinds of surveys, deeds, and titles we use today. A person could legally transfer property simply by giving someone else a sandal in the presence of witnesses (Ruth 4:7). Property lines were marked by heaps of small stones, a ridge or mound of dirt, a ditch, a row of wooden posts, or single stones set upright at regular intervals along the property line.

By moving a boundary stone, dishonest people tried to increase their own property by encroaching on their neighbor's land. In the Jewish mind, removal of a landmark was equivalent to theft. Job complained that "men move boundary stones; they pasture flocks they have stolen" (Job 24:2). The ancient Romans enforced stringent rules against the removal of landmarks, as did the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 19:14, 27:17). This was such a serious matter that God said, "Judah's leaders are like those who move boundary stones. I will pour out my wrath on them like a flood of water" (Hosea 5:10).

Why all the fuss? Because boundary stones represented order, fairness, and love for one's neighbor. They served as visible reminders that there are lines no one should cross and boundaries no one should exceed or extend. There are rights we do not possess, and principles we must not violate. That's why one of the biblical words for sin is "trespass." When we sin, we step outside the boundaries established by God.

Today, time-honored truths are being altered and rearranged. Respect for human life is an ancient boundary ordained by our Creator. Yet, today some seek to remove this boundary by legitimizing abortion, by devaluing people with disabilities or those who are old, and by denying basic rights to the poor. Christians must uphold the ancient boundary that says all people are valuable because they are uniquely created in the image of God.

Respect for moral law is another ancient boundary. Postmodern theorists push and pull against moral absolutes, but it is still God's right to say what's right. If we bend or belittle biblical truth, we encroach upon the territory of God.

Respect for Jesus' Lordship is the most important ancient boundary. To some, the Lord's cross and empty tomb are a stone of stumbling. But to believers, Christ is the cornerstone of faith—the solid rock where we have anchored our souls.

"I won't move the boundary stones, Father," the boy says solemnly. "But," he adds with a twinkle in his eye, "can I still stand on them?"

"Yes," his father smiles. "They make a fine place to stand."