Do not move an ancient boundary[1] stone set up by your ancestors.[2]
Proverbs 22.28
Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you.[3]
Proverbs 23.10-11
This instruction is given to us twice by the sage. With these two sayings, our attention is directed back to protection of the poor:
Protecting the fields of the widows and fatherless is a common theme in Proverbs (15:15; 23:10; cf. 14:21, 31; 17:5; 30:14) because the economically disadvantaged, who had limited financial resources and no one to represent them in legal disputes, were most vulnerable to this high-handed, greedy transgression of their rights (cf. Job 24:3)[4]
Under Mosaic law, tribal territories were set by the sacred lot (Joshua 14-19) and were not to be moved (Deuteronomy 19.14, 27.17). Without respect for private property and tribal boundaries, anarchy would ensue. Unfortunately, this crime of stealing land was easy to commit and hard to prove in a court of law. Kidner writes:
Land was held from God and was inalienable; in every society certain heritages are similarly not the property of any one generation. No law will protect people when integrity is absent.[5]
Stealing is always a violation of private property. To extend one’s land at another’s expense violated their covenant relationships with God and each other[6] and expressed disregard for His sovereignty and generosity.[7] Moving a boundary stone of one who is disadvantaged not only steals what is rightfully his, but it also reduces his opportunities to provide for his family. In any society, having private property – in this case – land, is tantamount to having economic opportunity.
When the rich use their position of power and wealth to not only take what belongs to the poor but also take the poor’s ability and opportunity to improve their economic station in life, this is sin. God will use His strength against those who do this and will take up the cause of the disadvantaged Himself.
Governments and the powerful in politics and society should be on notice here. When the powerful class seizes the ability of the poor to support themselves and increase their economic status by incentivizing strong dependencies on the government who essentially supplants God’s role, they have, in effect, moved an ancient boundary stone. God will come against them to right this wrong.
In addition, pastors and Bible teachers should be on notice too. Clergy who plagiarize must be removed from preaching the Word of God. They steal other’s work and present it as their own while gaining compensation under false pretenses. It is a form of lying. The fact that so many do this[8] and that it is openly accepted[9] illustrates just how corrupt evangelical clergy is becoming. This saying directly instructs the pastor to be honest with himself, his board and his congregation with his work product.
Christian business owners do not enrich themselves while impoverishing others. Instead, they work to make sure their employees and those who work in their supply chain are treated fairly. They are willing to sacrifice profit in order to ensure others are paid a fair wage.
Those who move ancient boundary stone betray a lack of trust in God’s provision, both in amount and in quality. They betray a materialism that is antithetical to their covenant relationship with God.[10] Their hearts are bent on acquiring more and more, even if they must steal. They are unable to be generous toward God and others.[11]
Instead of moving the ancient boundary stone so that we gain more land to produce more wealth for ourselves, let’s become content with what God has given to us, both in amount and in quality. Let’s rejoice when we reflect on our covenant relationship with God wherein it is He who gives us the ability to create wealth (Deuteronomy 8.10-18) and rewards us according to the abilities He has given us (Matthew 25.14-31). Let’s trust God’s sovereignty regarding His provision for us. Let’s present our work product faithfully and honestly.
[1] See Proverbs 15.25, where the Lord maintains the widow’s boundaries
[2] NIV Proverbs 22.28
[3] ESV Proverbs 23.10–11
[4] Waltke, 235.
[5] Kidner, 142.
[6] Ross, 1067.
[7] Lennox, 235.
[8] One can easily find services that will ghost write books, sermons, articles, devotionals and so forth. While they charge for their services, those who consume this content believe it comes from their pastor or author, not from a ghost writer.
[9] See Why Some Preachers Rely on Holy Ghostwriters and Other Pulpit Helps, Bob Smietana, April 20, 2021, julieroys.com. This article ends up where I am on this subject: using material written by ghostwriters is, essentially, lying to your audience.
[10] See the article Greed, Christians and Business Ownership. Bill English, August 11, 2020. Bibleandbusiness.com.
[11] See English, 81-85 and my discussion of becoming free from the bondage of sin from Ephesians 4.28.
