Landmarks and Boundaries
“Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; (Acts 17:22-28).”
“You shall not remove your neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in your inheritance, which you shalt inherit in the land that the Lord your God gives you to possess it (Deuteronomy 19:14)
“Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof (Job 24:2).”
“[God] hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;(Acts 17:26).”
God established in the creation of earth landmarks and boundaries both real and spiritual to preempt disputes among mankind. In the creation of Adam and Eve there was no problem because they were the only people on the earth and divorce was unheard of. Where would they go? The fall of mankind into sin changed all that. Early in scripture disputes began to arise, strangely enough they began over habits and practice of worship. Cain disputed with Abel his brother and the first murder resulted.
God created water and separated the water by land masses. He created a mist that watered the earth for growing things to prosper. God created the sun, moon and stars to mark seasons, directions and means of safe navigation across the face of the earth. He created the greatest of divisions; day and night. He taught mankind how to set directions and measure distances. He taught them the mathematics necessary to use the landmarks and signs to set boundaries so that as men began to spread across the earth they could divide themselves from each other peacefully. Physical boundaries provide clear marks of separation and to establish these things peacefully, the concept of private property was used. Does that surprise you that God created it?
Knowledge was passed down from father to son: (See Exodus 18:20) As was God’s manner He also taught them all things and furnished them with everything necessary for a safe, secure life filled with peace and joy; but, “Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:17-19; Read entire story of the fall and the curse in Genesis 3).
Sin came into the world and death by sin; evil men influenced by the father of evil Satan, have destroyed the ancient land marks shifting the boundaries. Disputes have grown up as weeds and are passed down through the ages. Men have struggled and fought over them. A great deal of innocent blood has been shed in the process. Animosities have formed between peoples and one group or another has conspired to take what the other has. Of course there has been a great deal of pain and suffering that has accompanied these events.
There are “landmarks” involved in more than land ownership. There have been “landmarks” in all the languages, sciences and manner or style of life across the face of he earth. These “landmarks” are constantly changing causing more and more disputes as life on earth continues. More corruption enters the universe daily. The forces of Satan, the adversary of man, are very busy altering them in order to keep mankind from concentrating on the basic need to return to the ancient landmarks. Class warfare is a direct result of “moving and destroying” landmarks. Class warfare is a “straw man” placed in the path of mankind to keep him from organizing to destroy the enemy of God, the adversary of man Satan. Greed and pride also characteristics of Satan add fuel to the fire and corruption continues to grow.
“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein (Jeremiah 6:16).”
“They that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in (Isaiah 58:12).”
Sin entered into the world, death and corruption of the earth began. The Creator had “a way to escape” in place before the beginning of the creation. It is not complex, it is very simple. It requires change; human society abhors change. People would rather live with the evils of the known rather than change to an uncertain unknown.
The way to escape is to return to the “old paths.” What are they? The Ten Commandments! The first four deal with mankind’s duty to his Creator; the remaining six deal with his duty to his neighbor. This would create perfect peace with the Creator as a result peace with one’s neighbor. The nemesis that stalks that concept is…it would also require change to accept as brothers and sisters those whom he hates.
It is possible to reach this state of existence now in the present willingly, voluntarily. God Himself took on the form of a man, lived a perfect life without sin, was condemned by religious leaders and crucified by the world power of his day, Rome. In death He defeated Satan and death and supplied reconciliation with the Creator. He rose again from the dead and ascended to right hand of his father’s throne in the heavens to return again to earth to judge mankind after that principle. Those who will not willingly accept God’s condemnation of sin and His Mediator, thereby glorifying God through confession and repent will die eternally, that is the second death. Those that receive the gift of life will live eternally in the presence of God in peace, bliss and joy.
Choose life!
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