Thursday, June 11, 2026

          Proverbs 22:28 has a simple command that says, “Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.”  What does this mean?  A little more detail and understanding can be found in Proverbs 23:10 which says, “Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.”  The message is to live honorably and honestly and not to take advantage of the blessings and belongings of others.  In Bible times, an ancient boundary stone fixed property lines and ownership limits on land.  By subtly moving these boundary stones, one could gain more land (and wealth) at the expense of one’s neighbor.  The subtle and slow movement of stones would dramatically, over time, expand one person’s land while shrinking the land of a neighbor.  So, the mandate was not to move these boundary stones.  It would be like stealing a few dollars a day from a friend for decades.  Slowly, that theft adds up.  In a word—be honest in one’s business dealings.
            Today, land ownership is tracked in different ways by surveys, titles and legal processes.  But there is a lesson that remains for us from this ancient mandate.  We are called to live honorably and honestly in our business and material dealings each day.  For us, that could mean paying taxes that are owed (see Romans 13:7), paying off debts that have been accrued and not misrepresenting something that you are trying to sell. We are to respect and honor contracts and agreements that we have made with others.  We are not to take advantage of weaker or less fortunate people.  God has promised to be their defender against anyone who would seek to take advantage of them.  Widows and orphans held a special place in God’s heart in Bible times (and very much still today).  He was passionate and zealous in their defense.  No one should seek to take advantage of the weak, hurting or struggling just because it might be easy to do so.
            One of Satan’s strategies today is to move the boundary stones of right and wrong, good and bad.  You may recall in the Garden that the serpent began his temptation by asking, “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1b).  That single question was an attempt by Satan to move a boundary stone of obedience—to goad Adam and Eve into dismissing the authority of God.  Someone has said that Satan is the original boundary changer.  Still today, Satan appeals to what we want, the things that catch our eye and the natural longings that we want fulfilled.  The Bible warns us, “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16).
            We often move the boundary stones today when we attempt to explain away our sins and behavior or to justify actions we know to be wrong.  We move stones when we compare ourselves to others and console ourselves into thinking we are not as bad as “some people.”  We move boundaries when pride and bitterness begin to take over how we think about and see other people.  Envy and jealousy can often move boundary stones as we encroach upon the lives of other people.  We can behave badly when we elevate petty things and preferences to lofty positions where they do not belong.  We can see moving boundary stones as an insistence upon having things our way rather than God’s way.  Jesus said in Luke 6:27-28, “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”  We are to be careful not to move the boundary stones of those we might consider enemies or even wicked themselves.  We trust them to God just as we trust ourselves to God.
            This ancient boundary stone principle remains compelling today.  It convicts us in those occasions where we might be tempted to compromise a little here or there or minimize what we are plotting to do.  We can easily move boundaries when we write off our motivations or actions as being trivial or minor things.  God calls us to see and to serve Him in all circumstances of life—not just the things we might think are big and important.  We want to see and to serve God every day and in every way we encounter.  We serve God best when we do life God’s way and live within the boundary stones that He has set in place.  Have a great Thursday!