Establishing Ancient Boundary Stones

(part 2)

“Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.”

Proverbs 22:28

In ancient Israel, boundary stones were seen as immovable markers that established some defined parameters within which they would live. Likewise, as fathers, we too need to establish some principles that are “immovable” in our lives that create a perimeter inside of which we and our families live. We must put in place some rock solid principles that can be communicated and passed down from generation to generation. Principles that we are willing to maintain over the course of time and committed to protect.

In 2 Samuel 23:11-12 we read the story of one of David’s mighty men by the name of Shammah:

“Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field of lentils, Israel’s troops fled form them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.”

We read that when the Philistine armies banded together, at a place where there was a field of lentil beans, that Israel fled from them. However, Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field and defended it. He struck down the Philistines and the Lord brought about a great victory. I often wondered, reading that passage, why that field of beans was so important to him. When the rest of the army fled before the Philistines, why would Shammah defend that particular field? In my humble opinion, I believe that the field in which they were standing was his! To Shammah it would have been something worth defending. It wasn’t just a field of beans, but an inheritance. Shammah was willing to die defending that field. The Philistines were trying to encroach on Israel’s territory, but Shammah stood in their way!

We must have boundary stones that we can identify, communicate, maintain and defend or we can be certain that “the world” will attempt to encroach on our inheritance. Let me give you an example of what I mean. If we have no boundary stone when it comes to purity, then the world will attempt to push the envelope on what is appropriate. Nudity, violence and obscene language are common on television today, because the ancient boundary stones of purity were ignored. Adultery, fornication, and homosexuality are rampant today because the ancient boundary stones of purity were left unattended. Unlike Shammah, our enemies did not approach us with a full frontal attack. Rather, they slipped in and moved the stones ever so slightly night after night, week after week, year after year until our inheritance in the land was unidentifiable.

If we hope to secure a spiritual inheritance for our children then we must once again establish, maintain and protect our ancient boundary stones.


Pastor Scott Burr http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com