We Believe That Man's the Measure...

“Do not move an ancient boundary stone
set up by your forefathers.”
--Proverbs 22: 28

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”
--Exodus 20: 12

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In the ancient world “boundary stones” were of great significance and importance. Tampering with them, removing them, sidestepping them, expanding them or pretending to see them not at all, was (and is still is for us today) very risky business. Nations and neighbors know that violating “boundary stones”, is tantamount to stealing and doing so can lead to real trouble, conflict, bloodshed...and ruin. And justly so.

There are spiritual boundary stones as well, of course. In the Bible, the Mosaic Law....and more specifically, the Ten Commandments ...were given to delineate and clearly mark out for the children of Israel... (and for us as well!)... what is right and what is wrong and what is good and what is evil in the sight of God.. To violate any of the Ten Commandments, we are told, is to violate God's Standard of Goodness and Holiness. This violation, the Bible calls “Sin”.

And the Bible says that violating God's Goodness and Holiness (ie., Sin) is no trivial matter. (see Ezekiel 18: 4)

This, of course, does not set well with us today. We are used to “fluid” boundaries.....boundaries that meander, stretch and “flex” as we desire, subjective boundaries that “tickle” not only our fancy, but also our ears (2Timothy 4:3). We like our standards “relative” and shifting. We like things cloudy. And those set-in-stone borders?... We can jolly well do without!.

In this day and age, we believe that fences are offensive. We love our “wiggle room”. .

We're OK with culturally derived moral preferences, ethical suggestions and evolving, fluctuating or “progressing” community standards, but we bristle, squirm and pout mightily when Divinely delivered “commandments” are mentioned and set before us as the only true, just and sacred gauge for our behavior. When we are confronted with and made aware of that kind of “boundary stone”, we... (like little children)... characteristically “pitch a fit” and bluster...“It's just not fair!”

Honor your Father and your mother...

* * * * *

“Compliance with the commandments of men, who thwart the commandments of God, ripens a people for ruin.”
--Matthew Henry

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“We Believe That Man's the Measure...”
(Damn That Ancient Bound'ry Stone!)

We're not sure we like The Standard...
Rigid Rules we don't condone.....
We believe that “Man's the Measure”.
Damn that Ancient Boundary Stone!

So, let's steal the land adjacent...
Grass is so much greener there!
We know now that no one's watching.
We know there's no “god” to care!

* * * * *

This requires some heavy lifting,
It may take some time to do.....
But if we work Sunday mornings,
We can do it....me and you!

It was our forefather's marker...
Yes, they placed it in the ground;
But today, they're dead.... or senile;
And their judgment?...Not real sound!

So, pitch in, man! Let's get with it!
Let's create some different lines....
Rules aren't really for obeying;
Rules exist to redefine!

Come on, brother, help me out here!
This is progress we can use!
There's no need for guilt or worry....
Think of this as new Good News!

First, we'll move it just a little....
(Just to blur the edges some...)
Later on, we'll make more progress;
Then, my friend, we'll have some fun!

* * * * *

Landmarks, man, are made for moving...
We think moving bound'ries wise!
And besides, the kids will thank us!
We'll be heroes in their eyes!

Yes, it's best to please the children...
Set them on “The Happy Path”!
If we move the The Ancient Markers....
We won't have to feel their wrath.

* * * * *

“Judah's leaders are like those who remove
boundary stones.
I will pour out my wrath on them like a
flood of water.”
--Hosea 5:10

* * * * *

“They have leaped over law's enclosure, and scaled all the walls of right; they have despised and broken all laws, human and Divine. “
--Adam Clarke

* * * * *

“The Law cuts into the core of evil, it reveals the seat of the malady, and informs us that the leprosy lies deep within.”
--Charles Spurgeon

* * * * *

“Someday those who despise laws will triumph, and then they will weep for what they have done to their children”
--Ravi Zacharias

* * * * *

“So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.”
(Galatians 3:24)

* * * * *

Lord, we squirm, and Lord we bristle!
Lord, we kick against these goads....
Give us Grace to see the problem...
Show us Sin.....The Deadly Road.

Bound'ry Stone of Law, please teach us....
Help us see our Sin and Loss;
Help us recognize transgression.....
Help us ponder..... “Why the Cross?”

(see John 3:16)