Ancient Landmarks

Proverbs 22:28 “Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set.”

We’re in the process of buying a small piece of land back in the States. Other people own the land on either side of this property.

In Biblical times, normally one marked his property line by digging a small trench, probably with a plow, to make a visible line on the ground, and at each end of the trench he would place a heap of stones as a landmark. The landmark was most important, because even if the trench was covered up or washed away over time, the property owner could always run another line between piles of stones to see exactly where his boundary was.

Today, we’ve gotten a bit more high-tech with survey equipment, and the corner of one’s property might have a wooden stake in the ground with a piece of colored ribbon tied to it, but not a pile of stones.

But the idea behind this verse is the same. You would be in a lot of trouble with your neighbor, even today, if he or she discovered that you’d been moving that stake over to make it look like you have more land than you really do. It’s the same as stealing your neighbor’s land, and in Biblical times this was a big no no (see Deuteronomy 19:14).

You will stay out of much trouble if you hold to the Truth. The heaps of stones, that wooden stake in the ground, are true markers of your boundary line.

It’s the same with the Truth of God’s Word. Stay close to His Word, stay close to good, solid teaching of His Word. Be sure that your heart, your actions and words stay true to the teaching of the Bible.

Likewise, someone may try to move your landmark. The Bible says your Redeemer is strong, and He will plea your cause against those who try to lead you astray from His truth (see Proverbs 23:10-11).

Thank God for the ancient landmarks.