April 22

Apr 22 - Today from Proverbs 22 we look at verse 28
"Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers."

If we are to walk and grow in wisdom, we must understand and respect boundaries. When God brought Israel into the Promised Land, He allocated certain portions of the land to certain tribes. Within these various tribal regions the land was divided amongst the families of the tribes. In order for future generations to keep peace concerning property ownership, the boundaries of this division were clearly marked by huge stones at key geographical points. To move a boundary stone was an intentional act to cheat another out of their rightful inheritance. This is the literal warning behind this proverb.
Just as in the physical realm, the purpose of a moral boundary is to define and to protect. In order to know where the boundaries are, they must be clearly marked by reference points. Those who seek wisdom seek to identify these reference points and learn how they relate to other reference points in order to define the boundary line that two or more points represent. When one boundary stone (moral principle) is moved, it redefines the entire moral climate and creates an atmosphere of conflict.
I live in the generation that moved major moral boundary stones in our culture. Abortion (murder) was legalized. Homosexuality became an accepted alternate lifestyle. The Ten Commandments were no longer to be the excepted cultural moral boundary stones. Many morals became relevant and a matter of individual interpretation. Since these stones have been moved, there has been much conflict amongst the peoples of this nation. Life without clear boundaries introduces chaos.
In the moral realm we must strive to keep the boundaries intact. There is only one way we can achieve this; we need to study and use the 'ancient boundary stones' of God's Word and not become distracted by the faux stones that ‘progressive’ civil authorities have set before us. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Matthew 24:35). Man can attempt to move the moral boundaries, but the ancient moral boundary stones will be the only ones left standing for eternity. These are the boundaries from which man will be judged - even believers.
We hardly recognize some of the moral boundaries that we cross every day. They can become somewhat fuzzy in ‘legal details’. That's why Jesus gave us an unmistakable indicator of the ancient boundary stones - apart from our own legal misinterpretations. He said that all boundaries are clarified by agape love (defined in 1 Cor. 13) – that is to ask, "How can I respond to the needs of others to best benefit them?" As you read the gospels, you will see that Jesus' ministry brought this truth into sharp focus. The teachers of the law were constantly attempting to use the letter of the law to define their boundaries – that is to ask, "How can I use this law to best serve my interests?" Jesus re-defined their interpretations with the spirit of the law to show how far over the boundary of grace they had stepped. The Sermon on the Mount is a classic example of this principle.
If you are in a situation where there seems to be constant undercurrents of bitterness, conflict, suspicion, etc., you can bet that some boundary stones have been moved. The solution is to study to find the ancient boundary stones of grace, properly relate them one to another in love, and then repent of every area where you find yourself over the line.
When boundaries are properly identified and respected, it makes for peace. When boundaries are moved and disregarded, it makes for war. Do we want to live peaceable lives? Then we need to live within the moral boundaries of God's grace.