Proverbs 22

 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. 

~Proverbs 22:28

Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: for their Redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.

~Proverbs 23:10-11

These verses stick out to me as I've read Proverbs a few times now. The ancient landmark is interesting. It refers to the boundary stones that marked property lines which were critical to maintaining justice and order, as God had assigned land and inheritances to each tribe. The phrase "which thy fathers have set" connects the command to heritage, legacy, and generational respect.

In this imperative to not remove the old landmarks which the fathers have set, there are some takeaways for us. 

1. Respect what is rightfully others and don't exploit or take what doesn't belong to you, whether that's property, ideas, opportunities, etc.

2. Honor the God-given order of things. Not all "old ways" are old-fashioned or outdated. Some traditions that are rooted in God's wisdom and moral law are worth preserving. But also, don't exalt traditions over God's word.

3. Build instead of undermine. Uphold and defend godly principles and values that promote equity and respect. Don't shift boundaries for selfish purposes. 

Chapter 23:10 goes on to warn against exploiting the vulnerable. The fatherless (orphans) often had/have no protector or advocate. Mistreating the fatherless brings about God's wrath, as he is their defender. He deeply cares about them and gives instruction for his people to care and be personally involved as well. 

There are some applications for us from this verse as well. 

1. Don't take advantage of the weak. Just because someone can't fight back doesn't mean we have the right to take from them. God sees and will judge. 

2. Practice integrity. In leadership, family, business, etc. strength must be used to protect, not hurt or plunder.

3. Be a voice for the voiceless. Reflect God's heart by defending them.

Deuteronomy 19:14 

“Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set...”

 

Job 24:2  “Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof.”   Here we see people plunder what's not theirs and dishonoring God's commands. 

  Monuments song

Here's a great song about setting up monuments. We need to be careful to set up monuments for those coming after. They don't need to be literal stones, but certain practices, environments, and our legacies can point children and others toward God's presence. Other stones can also be stories of God's faithfulness. 

⛪ Deuteronomy 6:6–7 
"And these words… thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children..."

Psalm 78:4
"We will not hide them from their children... showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord..."

Children remember how parents lived far more than what they said. Spiritual legacy lasts through generations. How many times have you heard someone say he had a devoted, goldy grandmother or mother that followed God 100%? The person doesn't always remember what she said but he remembers her life.

Keep up the work to build those monuments.