Boundary stones in Scripture are regarded as sacred. “Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.” (Proverbs 22:28) They were set in place to identify land ownership of a specific plot of land. In Bible times, the land was given to the Israelites by God. Therefore, it was sacred. To violate a boundary marker was equivalent to stealing and was a serious offense. Other Scriptures include: “Do not move your neighbor’s boundary stone set in place by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess.” (Deuteronomy 19:14) Moving the boundary stone merits a curse in Deuteronomy 27:17. The ownership of a specific piece of land was significant to the identity of every Israelite. Both looking back in history and forward towards the future, their land was intricately connected to their family line and their inheritance. It was similar to the way our last name connects us to our family line. People did not move around. Their identity was in their land and in their God. You can see how this pertains to our current situation in the Middle East. It is just a small piece of land, but it is Israel’s very life and their connection to their God. Jews in Israel today are primarily atheists, but their relationship to their land remains the same.

There are powerful spiritual applications as well in faith and morality. These moral boundary stones are primarily found in the Ten Commandments but are elaborated upon and repeated throughout the entire Bible. God set forth His boundary stones for our good, but they have always been meddled with. Established as “One nation under God,” our boundary stones have been moved and even removed in ways our forefathers would never have imagined. The cultural and intellectual “elite” purport to know best and so many undiscerning people follow their pronouncements. The deceived masses just follow the Pied Piper of culture. The sacred teachings of Scripture are often mocked and ridiculed. With each new generation there is the tendency to think that they know best and are smarter and know so much more than their parents. In my teen years, I thought I was smarter and “cooler” than my parents and other older adults, but I was respectful of them. Now, many openly mock their elders. I remember thinking that of all the things about which people rebel against God, one thing we must accept was that we were all created either male or female. We could not argue with God about that. And why would anyone even want to. 

Oh Lord, THANK YOU for your innumerable blessings and all you have provided for us! Thank you for your loving care and faithfulness. May we remain equally faithful to you. May we have the courage to stand against the god of this age who seeks to destroy us. May we never move a boundary stone.

Thank you, Jesus!

Elsie

Reference source: Stephen and Brooksyne Weber, “Ancient Boundary Stones,” Daily Encouragement, March 27, 2009.