Boundaries
by Brandy Webb
My family and I are dealing with property boundary issues. It is a long story, but the survey that was done prior to our purchase of our property may have been done incorrectly. Therefore, we are in the process of having a new survey done correctly. The main problem with the past survey could be that the surveyor didn’t use the correct starting point. Surveys are very meticulously done, and if one does not have the correct starting point to use for the boundary lines, then everything will be off. This, in turn, causes a lot of frustration for the owner because they now don’t know where their boundary lines are.
So, this issue has gotten me thinking of many things that I can learn from it. Some things are patience, not worrying, trusting God; however, another one that keeps coming at me is having correct boundary lines. God was very clear about not moving someone’s boundary markers, “‘Cursed is anyone who moves their neighbor’s boundary stone.’ Then all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’” (Deuteronomy 27:17).
I know that literally moving boundary markers is just wrong and is a form of stealing. Yet, there is a spiritual aspect, also. Like I said earlier, not knowing what to base a survey on will cause the survey to be wrong. Well, not basing our moral survey on a solid unmovable marker will also mess up all our “boundary lines.” We see it blatantly in society today. Sadly, it is nothing new. God warned Israel about it in Hosea chapter 5:
Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; both Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; even Judah stumbles with them… The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary stones; I will pour out My fury upon them like water (Hosea 5:5, 10).
Humans cannot create an immovable moral boundary marker on their own. What ends up happening is that everyone tries to prove why their viewpoint/boundary line is correct/truth. When no one has a solid rock to base truth on there will become no truth. The more societies as a whole have moved from the only solid rock to base our moral compass on, the more societies have deteriorated to the point that we are no better than ancient Israel when they fell away from God.
The solid rock that should be the beginning marker that establishes all of our boundary lines is God’s Law and Word. He never changes. His laws never move. They are not biased. They are not false. They are not based on opinions. They are solid truths, which can keep anyone who follows them on the correct paths.
Blessed are those whose way is blameless who walk in the law of the Lord…. How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word…. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalms 119:1, 9, 105).
Today we have people who have very skewed lines in shifting sand. They move them for their own benefit regardless of who it may hurt in the process. To them life is not sacred. God’s image is not respected. Selfishness and hatred fester.
Yet, we do not have to be like the world. We can be the twinkling lights in the darkness by living our lives according to God’s Word. We can stand on solid ground and show others by our example: the way we live our lives, the words that come out of our mouths, the love we show our neighbors, forgiveness instead of hostility, etc., that there is a way to set solid boundaries if you base your moral compass on God. Walking according to His law shows the world who our Father and our Savior is. There is no way to set up moral boundaries without Them.